Outdoor & Indoor: Watering is still a very important job at this time of year. Trees can dry very quickly during hot days. When the soil stays dry for too long the roots can be damaged or even killed. This can have devastating effects on your tree. Now is the time to switch to a low nitrogen fertilizer. The soil should be moist before the fertilizer is applied. This is a time when trees prepare themselves for winter. Trunks and branches will thicken as materials are stored there for the winter. Wiring can cut in rapidly so we need to watch for this and remove any wires that are too tight. Avoid pruning as this can reduce the tree’s stored food reserves. Trees will put out extra roots at this time. This allows a chance to do some repotting if it is needed. Since the moderate temperatures will turn to cold rather than warm there is somewhat more risk and a smaller window for repotting at this time. Begin preparing for wintering your trees.
Indoor trees can be moved inside when night temperatures are consistently in the 50’s, approximately Sept. 15 in Chicagoland.
WORKS CITED: Editor. (Vol. XII, Number 8, September, 2005). Things To Do This Month. Bonsai Hai . Prairie State Bonsai Society.
