Late Summer Work

Orion_metalhead

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I'd like to hear from the experienced members of the forum regarding what they are doing at this time of year. What work are you doing on your deciduous? What work are you doing on your conifers? What do you take the time to do at this time of year maintenance wise in your gardens?

I've been weeding, reapplying fertilizers, removing dead tips, topping off soil levels, checking wire that was applied earlier to make sure it doesn't need to be removed, and cleaning up around the pots and tables. I've been trying some late-summer cuttings as well. I've also been marking trees that I know need repots next year. Pretty soon I'll start cleaning up the over-wintering spot. I'll be using the same area as last year - seemed to work out really well. I also am working on building a new bench to move all the trees into one place. Currently they are spread out in three different spots. It makes watering a bit of a nuisance in the mornings.

I have heard it's not a great time to prune deciduous this late but maybe that's not true in 7b? I think it's a good time to wire conifers about now too, but I haven't spent much time doing that.

I think I need some guidance on what I should be prioritizing in terms of my tree care at this time of the year. I also think it would be helpful for other newcomers and those who are only a few years into the craft like myself to hear about what types of regimens others have.

Thanks.
 

BobbyLane

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Ive been doing a lot of research on yews lately, since i recently bought one and havnt always had the best luck with them and came up with some varied views of when to do work, i have worked conifers in winter too. deciduous trees i just work all year around, the species i work with are certainly not fussy. the main thing with conifers is not to work the top n bottom in the SAME season.
 

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Rivian

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I think if you can catch some cloudy weather this time of year then its a decent time to repot. Still cant go as far as in Spring though
 

BobbyLane

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I covered this on the other later summer post and heres an explanation why

I repot in spring too, but since the weather can be unpredictable, it might not always be the best time for yew.
im sure many have done them in spring with great success thats great. times change and weather is constantly changing, only a fool wouldnt adapt.
I did a full repot including bare rooting with a yew at the end of sept and had the same success a few years ago. the proof is in the pudding.
 

Paradox

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In August (I am also zone 7), it's typically too hot here to do much besides pull weeds and just generally check on wire as pine does tend to thicken branches around this time of year. Too soon to wire pines or do much pruning on deciduous other than the errant extending branch here or there. They still have leaves and I prefer to let them keep their solar panels until the change of seasons prompt the trees to let them go.

About the only trees I am comfortable doing much too is the tropicals. They love the heat and grow like crazy so need trimming.

September I start preparing the area I keep my tropicals in during the winter since migration to that spot will be around Oct 15. Cleaning the tables and trays they sit in if I haven't done it yet.

I'll also check the coldframe to make sure that's clean of any weeds or leaves and make sure it is covered so no leaves can get in there. I also usually have to eradicate some mole crickets from in there.

September is also time to start wiring and redoing wiring on pines, starting with Japanese white pines. I start this on my other pines in October.
 

Dav4

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Up here in zone 6 MI, I'm still experimenting with what works and what doesn't, but within reason, meaning I'm not going to start wiring out the new growth on my collected spruce just yet, even if it's barely cracked 80F this week. I did cut back some palmatums, threw some wire on new growth, and trimmed some tridents for the third time last week. We'll see if I get one more flush. I'm still mostly watering and feeding, and will start working my conifers in September and October.
 

Cajunrider

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For me in the South, late summer is watering, and weeding. As soon as the dog days of summer are past, the second growth season comes quickly. For things that I want explosive growth for trunk building, I fertilize. For things that I am working on ramification, I don't fertilize else I will get the dreaded long internodes. Down here, I don't do the Fall season activity until November.
Also for me, right now is collection time as well, you can bet I will be looking and digging as much as my time and situation allows.
 

Tidal Bonsai

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I'd like to hear from the experienced members of the forum regarding what they are doing at this time of year. What work are you doing on your deciduous? What work are you doing on your conifers? What do you take the time to do at this time of year maintenance wise in your gardens?

I've been weeding, reapplying fertilizers, removing dead tips, topping off soil levels, checking wire that was applied earlier to make sure it doesn't need to be removed, and cleaning up around the pots and tables. I've been trying some late-summer cuttings as well. I've also been marking trees that I know need repots next year. Pretty soon I'll start cleaning up the over-wintering spot. I'll be using the same area as last year - seemed to work out really well. I also am working on building a new bench to move all the trees into one place. Currently they are spread out in three different spots. It makes watering a bit of a nuisance in the mornings.
All of those things sound great to maintain your collection and get ready for the fall/winter! I do not prune deciduous in zone 7a after July because the new growth doesn't have a lot of time to harden off before the first frost. You are rolling the dice on killing the new growth if we have an early freeze.

Besides the activities listed above, I am also getting fertilizer teabags ready for fall fertilization.
 
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