Repotting deciduous trees in cool to cold climate

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,

In Sydney I started repotting all my deciduous trees in Autumn; as or before the leaves stated to fall; early May to late June, with great success.(a tip from Ray Nesci about 25 years ago)
Sydney is a Temperate climate.

At Yerrinbool I continued this practice with no problems.
Yerrinbool is between Sydney and Canberra at 500 mtrs altitude and is cool in winter but not Cold climate; I could not keep any Larch alive there for instance.

In Canberra at 640 mtrs I am scared of repotting in Autumn as it is a Cold climate but am intending to experiment.

Anyone with real experience in the colder areas like the Blue Mountains, Dandenongs, Canberra etc with repotting deciduous in autumn?

Grant

[Pup]

Hi ya Grant, not from personal experience as you well know, we do not know what cold is.

Researching for a talk on pots, Bonsai Today no 5 page 52 there is an article by a guy called Steve Pilacik, he lives in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

He says that he re pots all year round, just makes sure that they do not freeze, also he states that living in north east near phildelphia he has to give his trees winter protection.


If you have access to it or can source from the internet, it might be of help.

Cheers Mate, and thanks Pup

[Brian]

I have no problems repotting Chinese Elms at this time of the year.

I was considering repotting my Trident Maples now, but I don't like the idea of the freshly cut roots sitting in soggy soil all winter. It could cause problems.

[maple]

I was considering repotting my Trident Maples now, but I don't like the idea of the freshly cut roots sitting in soggy soil all winter. It could cause problems.[/quote]

I would rather wait Brian, for the same reason. I spend my time wiring and trimming once the leaves have dropped, tidying up the silhouette of the maples. It also spreads the work out over the season.

[craigw60]

Hi Grant, like all things bonsai related I would say there are many variables. If you were repotting a mature deciduous tree and just trimming some fibre and changing the potting mix they should be fine, but if your doing more serious work on a younger tree or one lifted from the field then it would be better to wait until the roots are likely to start moving straight away.
Craigw

[Grant Bowie]

Hi Grant, like all things bonsai related I would say there are many variables. If you were repotting a mature deciduous tree and just trimming some fibre and changing the potting mix they should be fine, but if your doing more serious work on a younger tree or one lifted from the field then it would be better to wait until the roots are likely to start moving straight away.
Craigw

Thanks Craig,

You are certainly in a cold spot and have been for a long time.

Grant