Dawn Redwood summer care?

[Starfox]

Hi all,
I recently acquired a small Dawn Redwood forest or more correctly 5 sticks in a tiny pot and I'm a bit worried about them making it through the summer.
I guess first thing is to get them out of the tiny pot and into something much larger, that part I can do as it is Spring now and I have a pot and soil.
But what would be the best way to combat a summer with little to no respite, everyday for 4-5 months will be over 30 degrees as a minimum with 36+ seen often plus night temps at 20+ the whole time. Also wind is an issue here too.

Would making up a shade shelter with that black or green shade cloth be enough and if I put in a water tray or tub to keep the humidity up too?
I can do partial shade too but then it is more windy there for the humidty, I expect the shade cloth would at least cut the wind down.

Just wondering what others may do if anything, what does work and what doesn't.
Any tips would be great.

[MOGGINATOR]

if ur really worried and dont care to much about cash get a fish tank and artificial light and an humidifier and keep it inside in summer will be protected and it will thrive

[Starfox]

I'm not even allowed a tank for a lizard, not sure how Mrs Starfox would be if I said I wanted to put my trees in there.
I like the idea though but couldn't see it happening at least for a while.

Hmm, I wonder if lizards and sequoias get on well together?

[MOGGINATOR]

well all i can suggest is get the shade cloth and build a 3 quarter box and keep it in the shade with a dripper to keep water on it

[tgward]

just google earthed costa blanca --looks pleasant---also looks like they are going for the world record number of swimming pools per linear mile

[Lepidodendron]

They might be tougher than you think. I am in NW Sydney and am developing a few specimens in grow pots for a future forest setting. Our summer temperatures are similar to yours although it is probably more humid here. My trees are probably somewhat larger - the tallest is about 70cm with a basal diameter of 5cm. They grow in partial to mostly full sun in the summer and do well. Without adequate water, the leaves can burn on the tips but they readily throw out new growth.The leaves are now a bit tatty at the end of summer but there are numerous new buds. I think the watering is important and maintaining some humidity could be as well - hot dry wind doesn't sound ideal so some protection may well be helpful.

I guess they have to be reasonably resilient, not only to survive my care, but to have lasted so long in the geological record. Good luck.

Dave

[melbrackstone]

If you make your shade shelter, then I'd be putting a solid piece of something, timber, or perspex or glass, as well as the shade cloth, on the side of the prevailing winds.

Definitely put some sprayers in there for humidity... and if possible, I'd be trying to keep the pots cooler whilst allowing the good light to hit the foliage. You could try draping shade cloth over the pots, or branches from trees that you've chopped, or some sort of mulch.

Good luck

[Andrew E]

Mine live in water all summer in full sun. I have sequoia, taxodium mucronatum and dawn redwoods in water all summer like a wisteria or a willow. As far as I'm aware they're a swamp tree? Could be wrong there but I know sequoia are and they're very similar. Cheers

[kcpoole]

Also in Sydney but only have a few small ones in bigger pots. Sun should not be problem so long as sufficient water available, but I would put a windbreak up if u could

[Starfox]

Thanks all for the replies.
I will definitely be adding some form of screen for the wind so maybe that will be enough, I'll get a little outside temp/humidity unit too to keep tabs on what is happening and I can always take more measures if it needs it.
Also I'll keep an eye on the pots, I hadn't thought of that at first but it makes sense they don't get too hot. Maybe a thermometer to stick in the soil is a good idea too.

I do like the idea of a nice all in one unit with misters, wind protection and something I can add cloth to and take off easy so maybe a project in the near future.

just google earthed costa blanca --looks pleasant---also looks like they are going for the world record number of swimming pools per linear mile

Pleasant enough, plus you reminded me I really need to get the pool together soon.
I have often said this part reminds me a lot like the Murraylands or South East of South Australia, especially in terms of arid environment.

[shibui]

Dawn Redwood are tougher than you would think.
I have grown them for many years. Summer temps here occasionally get above 40C and winter min down to -5C
I think as long as the roots are kept damp they should grow well. Mine have been near the ground where it is always a little damp in summer and under shadecloth by late December when it gets hot. Roots sometimes escape from the bottom of the pots into the soil below and then they grow strongly.
We don't have much wind so not sure how that will affect them. I would try a shadecloth windbreak on the windward side and maybe overhead shade for the afternoon sun and put the pots on a gravel tray for humidity and added moisture.

I would not worry about soil temp. I have not yet seen pots and soil get too hot for roots even in direct summer sun.

[Starfox]

Thanks shibui, from what everyone says they are tougher than it is made out to be in all the literature I have found so that is reassuring.

I may put them in training pots for a year with some regular soil, not decided on that yet but the biggest is only 20cm tall so could do with a bit of growing on.
A gravel tray is something I have looked at, how do you keep the mozzies from breeding in it?

[tgward]

I have often said this part reminds me a lot like the Murraylands or South East of South Australia, especially in terms of arid environment.

Starfox
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan

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we have anything up to 48 degrees but mostly low thirties to low forties-summer is morning sun and afternoon shade and northerly wind protection-I water only once a day early morning -gravel filled trays for the needy ---have given up on the Japanese maples and similar----

[shibui]

A gravel tray should not have open water. Water only fills the spaces between the stones so not enough spaces for mossies to grow.
Maybe if mossies are a real problem use smaller sand. As long as there is some spaces for water to fill it should be effective as a humidity tray.

[Starfox]

Thanks Shibui, that makes sense. I think I will at least try this as I can put my ficus in there too.
No harm in experimenting.