Atlantic Cedars. Safe to repot now? (Autumn)

[NBPCA]

Hi everyone,

I just had a phone call from an experienced member who has had an Atlantic Cedar brought to him that suddenly lost a branch.

This is now about the 4th time I have heard of this happening.

What is going on?

First where is it being grown? If in coastal hot and humid conditions it just doesn't like it and is at the extreme of its range.

Is the soil too fine and staying too wet thereby inducing "root rot"?

Curl Grubs were another suggestion.

IS IT SAFE TO REPOT OR DO A LIGHT POT AT THE MOMENT? AUTUMN THAT IS. We will be below 10 degrees at night in Canberra this week.

I have always repotted in late spring before bud burst to be sure but has anyone repotted in Autumn on a regular or occasional emergency basis?

Thanks in advance. Please share your experiences.

Grant

[Edward Scissorhand]

I think it depends how rootbound the tree is. When was it last repotted? I never do a heavy rootprune during this time, but a very light rootprune if your just trying to get rid of the current medium. I was told by the Koreshoff nursery never do a heavy rootprune with conifers during autumn. My rootpruning schedule for all my cedars around July in Sydney (Sutherland area), they seem to do pretty well. Once, I had a couple of branches drop all its needles all of the sudden from a hundred year old cedar and I found several curl grubs of different sizes. I managed to save one of the branches by killing all the grubs I could find. Goodluck, cheers Eddie.

[NBPCA]

Hi eddie,

I don't know how root bound the tree was but cedars can go a very long time without repotting and so a lot are left unpotted year after year.

i imagine a light repot would be fine but just seeking epxerience.

Thanks for your input.

Grant

[craigw60]

I reckon it should be fine Grant, if you are just going to do a light trim, I only root prune my cedars once every 5 years or so these days, I think they like being a bit pot bound.
Craigw

[Grant Bowie]

I reckon it should be fine Grant, if you are just going to do a light trim, I only root prune my cedars once every 5 years or so these days, I think they like being a bit pot bound.
Craigw

hi Craig,

Yes they certainly don't seem to mind staying in the same pot for a while, don't they.

I will get the person to check with the owner and see whats up,

Grant