Anybody ever done an emergency repot in winter ?

[Shima]

Yikes. As long as the roots stay above 45 deg they will be growing. I can see why you are concerned. Thats one nice tree

Are you saying this temp specifically for elm?

 

[Shima]

I just repotted this Pyracantha because it was looking sickly and these eggs and bugs were on the tree and in the soil and did some damage before an insecticide root drench. No one here could ID the bug.
Most of the roots were dead.

 

[rockm]

Are you saying this temp specifically for elm?

Not specifically for elm. Soil temperature is the major factor driving new growth directly after dormancy chill requirements are met by temperate zone trees. Between 38-45 or so can activate spring growth for temperate zone trees.

The soil temperature is a kind of a "fail safe" for trees in nature that protects them from pushing new spring growth during winter warm spells. It takes a long period of warmer temperatures to warm the ground deep enough to get soil temps like that. The issue with new spring growth is that once leaf buds have broken open, the tree loses about 95 percent of its abilities to withstand freezing.

This is highly species dependent, some trees require longer chilling periods that others.

 

[GrimLore]

Them bastards know a nice tree when they see one! I have squirrels that like to dig holes in mine or knock them over. I just fill the holes with more soil and they keep going. Hopefully, yours will be fine.

Squirrels in particular like to inspect disturbed soil - that MoleMax works on them too and as it is harmless just annoys the hell out of them.

Grimmy

 

[just.wing.it]

I went into my garage today to throw some snow on my trees. To my horror, my cork bark elm looked like something had been digging in it. There were several holes in the soil and dirt mounded around the trunk ! I clipped the wires and pulled the tree out to discover a really nice mouse den and about 70% of the roots chewed off. Lucky for him that he had already vacated the spot. I did a repot into a training pot with a mix of medium/large pumice and Akadama. Now I have to get through winter without a freeze and hope there is enough energy left in the tree to leaf out in spring. Anyone with a similar experience ?

Wow, that sucks!
Looks like a strong tree, hope it makes it...keep us posted.
Damn VC!

 

[Vin]

Squirrels in particular like to inspect disturbed soil - that MoleMax works on them too and as it is harmless just annoys the hell out of them.

Grimmy

I actually think I have a container of that for moles in my yard. I never thought about using it my pots. Thanks!

 

[GrimLore]

I actually think I have a container of that for moles in my yard. I never thought about using it my pots. Thanks!

Just to spread a little more info on it for members here and you -

MoleMax, the name itself is deceiving but the label makes it clear it works on ALL burrowing animals. On their label the main ingredient is Mineral Oil. ON other brands like the Mole Repellent sold at AGWAY the main ingredient is listed as Castor Oil being the same product. The other brands however just print for all burrowing animals in small print encouraging you to buy other products when they are not needed.

I have moved all of the Moles/Voles to surrounding properties over a few years. The idea of putting it on pot surfaces came when critters moved from the yard to Landscape and the Shed... Either way it simply works

Grimmy

 

[davetree]

Just to spread a little more info on it for members here and you -

MoleMax, the name itself is deceiving but the label makes it clear it works on ALL burrowing animals. On their label the main ingredient is Mineral Oil. ON other brands like the Mole Repellent sold at AGWAY the main ingredient is listed as Castor Oil being the same product. The other brands however just print for all burrowing animals in small print encouraging you to buy other products when they are not needed.

I have moved all of the Moles/Voles to surrounding properties over a few years. The idea of putting it on pot surfaces came when critters moved from the yard to Landscape and the Shed... Either way it simply works

Grimmy

You put this on the pot, or on the soil surface ?

 

[GrimLore]

soil surface ?

The surface - it very slowly waters in but for potted works quite nicely at the surface, vermin hate it.

Grimmy

 

[M. Frary]

I put it on the ground inside my enclosure and around the perimeter about a week before putting trees in so they don't get shut in with the trees.
I don't have to shoot squirrels anymore.

 

[davetree]

The surface - it very slowly waters in but for potted works quite nicely at the surface, vermin hate it.

Grimmy

How much of this do you use on a tree ?

 

[pweifan]

@davetree and @Shima I hope both of your trees recover next year. They're both beautiful.

 

[GrimLore]

How much of this do you use on a tree ?

Good question, never paid it that much attention but I usually apply the granular a little heavier on the outer edge of the pots - about an inch or so from the edge and do a light dusting on the substrate up to the trunk. I find most times critters work from the edge in except rabbits which go for the trunk. The light coating does keep them away though.

Grimmy

 

[Shima]

@davetree and @Shima I hope both of your trees recover next year. They're both beautiful.

Pretty sure mines a goner. Loved it and it's story.

 

[davetree]

Update - while I was at the hardware store getting Molemax, the little bastard attacked my tree again ! Started digging a hole again ! I watered in some of the Molemax, sprinkled some more, treated all of my trees, and moved the victim tree to another spot. I placed snow all around the tree because I want to identify the culprit by his tracks. Last night passed without incident. I am thinking of getting a cat ...

 

[pweifan]

Not good news from either of you

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Appropriate post for me. That troubled olive I've been pestering JudyB about has been INSIDE all winter (as she suggested to remedy the leaf drop and general withering) and it has responded very nicely even putting out some new shoots, one of which actually qualifies as a ...limb.
Now, my concern is reacclimating it to outside. I don't want it to be an indoor olive.
But how would it react to sudden 35-42 degree nights after a winter of obvious recovery?

 

[JosephCooper]

Yep. 4 times.

 

[davetree]

Good question, never paid it that much attention but I usually apply the granular a little heavier on the outer edge of the pots - about an inch or so from the edge and do a light dusting on the substrate up to the trunk. I find most times critters work from the edge in except rabbits which go for the trunk. The light coating does keep them away though.

Grimmy

New update - no more holes, I treated every tree. He seems to have given up.

 

[GrimLore]

New update - no more holes, I treated every tree. He seems to have given up.

Good news! What treatment as to share with others here

Good Growing

Grimmy