Montezuma Cypress gone cripsy

[AaronThomas]

Well, as of this morning the good news is the lower few branches are still green and still haven't dried out.
Bad news is that many of the upper lateral branches are dying off. Hopefully it will stop.
Were expecting tems in the 90's and 80's for the next few weeks... Better break out the sweaters

 

[AaronThomas]

Noticed today the MC is pushing new growth up the entire trunk and on a few of the branches. So thanks all for your suggestions!

I'd definitely get it out of that container, into the shade and out of the wind, permanently

Just curious.... did you mean while the tree becomes more established or permanently as in forever? How much sun does the MC need on a daily basis? Currently it get 2 hours or so of direct early morning sun, bright indirect sun for a few hours.... and that is it.

 

[rockm]

Noticed today the MC is pushing new growth up the entire trunk and on a few of the branches. So thanks all for your suggestions!

Just curious.... did you mean while the tree becomes more established or permanently as in forever? How much sun does the MC need on a daily basis? Currently it get 2 hours or so of direct early morning sun, bright indirect sun for a few hours.... and that is it.
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Figured it would.

FWIW, this past weekend I got a taste of dry, hot windy weather. It was 96 degrees, the hygrometer on my backyard thermometer measured BELOW 10 percent humidity. The wind was blowing steady at 20, gusting to 30. I watered and watered and watered trees. Big ones in full sun began to wilt. Moved everything into as much shade as possible and waited things out. Still windy most of Monday, though.

I'd get your MC into about three hours of morning sun. Shade the pot.

 

[AaronThomas]

LOL telling you its been brutal here as well... Temperatures drop here this past week back into 80's and 90's but its going to be short lived. Jumping back to the 100's again by the weekend! Doing the bonsai shuffle again!

 

[Vin]

I think we are all missing something here. Montezuma's natural habitat are areas like Tucson. http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/taxmuca.pdf

Mine are in 8 plus hours of full Florida sun and never skip a beat. I douse them thoroughly every morning. Could it be this was just a "one off" situation? I would have thought they would struggle here because of humidity but they seem as happy as can be.

 

[AaronThomas]

I think we are all missing something here.

I think what happened was that I trimmed the roots and re-potted well into spring and didn't let the tree recover before I put it in the sun. A few weeks in the shade and the tree is bouncing back so it makes sense this was the issue.
I have seen a few MC on the U of A campus so I know they can handle the heat.... but as Rockm said, There's in the ground hot and in the pot hot. (more or less) Perhaps once the tree becomes more established it will fair better in the sun?

I douse them thoroughly every morning.

I do the same... What type of soil and containers are your trees growing in Vin?

 

[Vin]

I do the same... What type of soil and containers are your trees growing in Vin?

Plastic nursery pot and grow bag with a 75% pine bark 25% grow stone mix. The plastic nursery pot is far outperforming the grow bag so far. I even cut back the one in the nursery pot this year and the one in the grow bag is still behind. It's a little experiment I have going on.

 

[AaronThomas]

75% pine bark 25% grow stone mix

Excellent... so my substrate isn't too far off.

 

[bonhe]

I think we are all missing something here. Montezuma's natural habitat are areas like Tucson. http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/taxmuca.pdf

Mine are in 8 plus hours of full Florida sun and never skip a beat. I douse them thoroughly every morning. Could it be this was just a "one off" situation? I would have thought they would struggle here because of humidity but they seem as happy as can be.

I am not surprised. Different places, different humidity. In Florida, humidity is really high. It is almost liked tropical country. I visited Miami in the summer time and felt liked coming back to my motherland! I sweated all day long when I was outside of the building. I saw a lot of Royal Poinciana trees on the street and they caused my homesick! When I got back to California, I was able to buy one Royal Poinciana small tree. It unfortunately died on me after one season!

Montezuma is growing well in hot, dry area if it is placed in the ground. If it is in the pot, one must carefully care of the soil and its environment to assist the water absorption. As you may know, the leaves of Montezuma don't have much cutin and the leaf area is large in a whole. It means Montezuma is easily dehydrated and sunburn in summer.
Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

I think I may have to just stick with elms and bougies!
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It looks like you have lot of shade in the yard. The hot dry wind is a problem!
How is about Tamarix, pomegranate, olive, crepe myrtle? I think they will be growing well in your area.
Bonhe

 

[AaronThomas]

It looks like you have lot of shade in the yard. The hot dry wind is a problem!

I do have a huge mesquite tree that provide nice shade for the yard, but you are correct... the wind is the killer!
I have a spot by the house that has an overhang that I think provides just enough morning sun for the tree and is definitely a wonderful windbreak. The MC has really bounced back and appears to be happy.... pushing tons of growth and lots of roots (had to peek)

How is about Tamarix, pomegranate, olive, crepe myrtle?

I have heard that olives and pomegranate do well here.... perhaps next year!

 

[mshark1]

@bonhe an @rockm
Thanks guys for your time and the info.... I had read that MC were great starter trees but perhaps not in the desert. I bought the tree from a local nursery... they have dozens of MC just sitting in the sun. I'm going by there on wed so I will stop in to see how the remaining trees are doing.
One of the first things I did yesterday when I noticed the dry leaves was check the soil temp.... and have to say it was warm but not hot. The pot is insulated with the wood box... see pic below. But I don't think its possible to protect the tree from the heat. It was 105 in the shade yesterday and will be again today. As you can see I have not made a chop on the tree yet.... was going to wait till next season. Unfortunately, not sure humidity is going to be very easy to achieve. I suppose I could try to build a box out of plastic.
LOL another soil mess up!!!! AHHHHHHHHH! Getting frustrating... organics, no organics .... and the debate continues. The lava and the bark retain quite a bit of moisture.... but I guess not enough. The pic below was taken of the soil just below the surface...have not watered yet today.
I was under the impression that using a heaver more moisture retentive soil would "cook" the roots.
I think I may have to just stick with elms and bougies!
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Hey Aaron;

I live in AZ City (Off I8/ I-10) South of Casa Grande. I’ve been at Bonsai and Tree Growing for 2 yrs (this is my 2nd Fall Season), and wondering how your Montezuma Cypress/ or Other Trees are doing?

I’m running into “Dormancy” issue I think w/ my MC - it’s about 2 yo and about 16” tall. I purchased [Jonsteen’s/ SequoiaTrees online] in April 2024- I’ve had Mucho’Growth this Yr ( about 10”!); using “Leaves & Soul 18•6•8” and “Humboldt Secret-Everything Grows 20•20•20” every 2 mths- But NOW Branches Dried and Dropped since 10/1/24. NEVER Browned or Turned yellow/ Trunk is ‘Bendy’ and roots strong.

I’ve:
• Stopped Supplemental Fertilizer (Research’d that Annual 4•3•3 w/ 1/2 in
• Water When Soil dry 1/2” down (use moisture meter)
• Use Grow Lights- 8 & 12 hr cycles Daily

Any Suggestions~ Words of Support?

- Bonsai Enthusiast ~ All things Tree Lover

 

[Vin]

I've given up on mine as far as bonsai goes. They are so slow to grow I ended up putting one in the ground this year and it hasn't beefed up any more than the one I have in a pot. I have to water them daily in the summer months for sure. Wish I could help you more.

 

[AaronThomas]

Howdy, neighbor!
I apologize for the late reply… welcome to BN!
I have experienced growth drying out on nearly all my Montezuma Cyprus since this originally posted.
Unfortunately where we are located and we are blessed with very hot weather along with very hot winds and zero humidity. I have found that the trees that are placed within a shaded or dappled area with only a couple hours of direct morning sun do best.
Regardless of the substrate… trees during summer months require at least two waterings. I never let the substrate completely dry out… In fact, I have a couple trees growing solely in pumice and it has turned green from being constantly wet lol not very attractive at all.
Now that we have had our first drastic temperature drops at night… I expect the trees to start turning brown mid December as usual.
I fertilize all my trees weekly during the growing season with 20 20 20.
You are using grow lights… Are you growing solely inside?

 

[Cajunrider]

Howdy, neighbor!
I apologize for the late reply… welcome to BN!
I have experienced growth drying out on nearly all my Montezuma Cyprus since this originally posted.
Unfortunately where we are located and we are blessed with very hot weather along with very hot winds and zero humidity. I have found that the trees that are placed within a shaded or dappled area with only a couple hours of direct morning sun do best.
Regardless of the substrate… trees during summer months require at least two waterings. I never let the substrate completely dry out… In fact, I have a couple trees growing solely in pumice and it has turned green from being constantly wet lol not very attractive at all.
Now that we have had our first drastic temperature drops at night… I expect the trees to start turning brown mid December as usual.
I fertilize all my trees weekly during the growing season with 20 20 20.
You are using grow lights… Are you growing solely inside?

To keep from having to water twice a day, I suggest to dunk it. My MC grows great when dunked.