Winter and the Relationship Between Leaves and Roots, etc.

[TN_Jim]

....first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women...

 

[Shibui]

They do need those nutrients. But to say that they are "converted" into sugars is patently false

OK, OK, OK. wrong words, thanks for jumping all over me from such a great height.
Thanks also for all the in depth info - fascinating, even though I don't really understand much of it.

Here's the bit that is practical:

Is there any evidence that feeding in winter does ANY harm?...aside from being washed down the drain?

Especially given the nature of well draining bonsai soils, is it not better to have these nutrients around consistently for when the tree happens to begin wake up simply need them?

 

[0soyoung]

Here's the bit that is practical:Is there any evidence that feeding in winter does ANY harm?...aside from being washed down the drain?

To the best of my knowledge, NO. No evidence that it does any harm, ... aside from being washed down the drain. let me really make this the bottom line.



No evidence that it does any harm, ... aside from being washed down the drain.

 

[Gustavo Martins]

My view is that nutrient consumption in winter is minimal and whatever they need is likely there already ‘trapped’ in akadama or similar or introduced via watering, rain and wind/dust.

 

[Cajunrider]

I'm loving this thread. It's fun to see your inner nerds along with getting the BNuts' version of botanical science.
Remind me to check my text books before posting anything here.

 

[Cajunrider]

To the best of my knowledge, NO. No evidence that it does any harm, ... aside from being washed down the drain. let me really make this the bottom line.



No evidence that it does any harm, ... aside from being washed down the drain.

Except that if there is so much of it in the ground, it may draw water away from the dormant plant.

 

[TN_Jim]

OK, OK, OK. wrong words, thanks for jumping all over me from such a great height.

Thanks also for all the in depth info - fascinating, even though I don't really understand much of it.

Shibui, I don’t think anyone was jumping on you...especially from such a great height -whatever that’s supposed to imply...

An excellent aspect of the integrity of this site is the consistency of discussion in discriminating factual information from non -allowing this to truly be a reliable resource, and the height from which individuals maintain that integrity is irrelevant.

 

[0soyoung]

Except that if there is so much of it in the ground, it may draw water away from the dormant plant.

Yes, of course, but I would edit your point:

Except that if there is so much of it in the ground, it may draw water away from the dormant plant.

IOW, too much fert is a problem, regardless of whether the plant is dormant or not.

 

[tmjudd1]

Well now..;
I wasn't looking to open up a can of worms, but I obviously did! All I really wanted to know is if I should feed certain trees, in my zone 8a, or 'not' feed them, during the winter months. My question has still been unanswered, for the most part. It's still warm here, despite the season, and even my deciduous trees are still bearing leaves. I had no idea that asking a question about feeding, during the winter, would break out in a "Hockey Game/Boxing match!" LOL

 

[TN_Jim]

Well now..;
I wasn't looking to open up a can of worms, but I obviously did! All I really wanted to know is if I should feed certain trees, in my zone 8a, or 'not' feed them, during the winter months. My question has still been unanswered, for the most part. It's still warm here, despite the season, and even my deciduous trees are still bearing leaves. I had no idea that asking a question about feeding, during the winter, would break out in a "Hockey Game/Boxing match!" LOL

Part of it as what I understand is: what is your feed, exact soil ratio (apologies if already said) and how often are you watering now?

I feel like some of your question has been addressed -which relates to how often are you watering, and what is the major cause of needing to water and why -nutrient uptake along with water and energy spent/made...a greenhouse is humid because they don’t just take in moisture etc

<—how much are you pouring into the ground (wasting when watering cause the tree don’t care)

<—make sure you’re not overfeeding
...what do you consider overfeeding?

if every rain or watering together are considered “watering” I think I feed trees soluble miracle grow (more) or organic (less) once around every 7-10 watering......most of my trees are in mostly napa de w/ some degrees of sifted bark and/or lava....seasons??right??....
......
.......so since thanksgiving, none of them have needed water = no food/nutrients/fertilizer....that jazz is still locked in the rocks, being used minimally, and/or such not being used or washed away:..is my thoughts

so....I will not consider feeding them until they’ve been thirsty at least 6 or so times...

I’d apply some approach as this

de really stays wet when the sun ain’t on them I’m seeing...next year, much better draining mix......they were right, go figure

at this rate I won’t water them at all...winter...let alone feed em...I have 2 crepe in the garage, these are also now a barometer for (not) thirsty/hungry (sugar aside)

Disclaimer: I don’t know if this is best for them (all)...this is my present rationale...waste food sure why not, but don’t jack your soil with nutrients they can’t handle ...any time of the year.

note: trees in refinement (I think that’s when you care more about fine details -growing different)

I’m still trying to figure this out as well

thanks for opening the can....