Summer dormancy...

[Cadillactaste]

I always thought those down south had longer growing seasons. Then was told of the root growth sweet spot (optimal growth for most plants) is around 65-85*F...below 45 and above 95 is where they start to shut down.
After being told such...I have noticed more mentioning of summer dormancy or their trees slowing down...looked in a Google search and found more on it at Brent's site. (Link attached) So I do feel it effects some. Curious who all here have dealt with it.

http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/rootheat.htm

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Sure, most plants have a growing rhythm. You may notice foliage makes a strong push in spring and slows down in the summer, stops in the fall through winter. Roots have periods of activity and rest too, you just don't see it, but if you're dialed in to watering, you may notice the rhythm based on water needs. Some species are more obvious than others.

Once you understand these rhythms, you learn how to properly time the pruning we do for developing trees into bonsai.

In warmer climates, we do get a head start on spring growth. My trees grow in mid-March, yours may not grow until mid-April, and Al's start in late January. Also, after a rest in July/early August, my trees are starting to put on another flush of growth now, and I'll probably get another 4 weeks of growing before cooler weather and shorter days triggers fall dormancy.

 

[Dav4]

My trees definitely slow down in July and into mid August here. Along those lines, I've noticed that my pots stay wetter during the summer months, even though the temps are generally 90 F or higher. This is undoubtedly related to higher ambient humidity, but I believe the trees just use less water as well. We're due for a cool down in the next 1 to 2 days...it's actually going to be in the 50's F Wednesday morning...Brrrr! I suspect I'll be seeing drier pots in the near future, along with sporadic flushes of growth right into October.

 

[Cypress187]

Yeah i have the same, my tree's grow better in non-extreme heat, i guess a mild summer is better, next year i will keep them cooler those days.

 

[aml1014]

Some of my trees stop completely mid July to mid august and always have a heavy flush of growth around now

 

[cmeg1]

I basically only grow one species.Being vigorous,they seem to grow non stop unless I prune back in summer to weaker growth which I actually did a couple weeks ago on some more developed trees.
The cuttings and layers just grow and grow.

 

[Vin]

I basically only grow one species.Being vigorous,they seem to grow non stop unless I prune back in summer to weaker growth which I actually did a couple weeks ago on some more developed trees.
The cuttings and layers just grow and grow.

You may only grow one but you do it well. The Zelkova Whisperer

 

[MACH5]

For me, my maples have been all over the place. Some follow the expected growth pattern of slowing down in summer. Others have kicked into high gear in the middle of July. And yet others have not stopped growing at all. My biggest Japanese maple (Big Babs) has several leaders growing on the top with one being 4' long and counting although I can see now that it is slowing down.

 

[cmeg1]

You may only grow one but you do it well. The Zelkova Whisperer

Thanks ,Vin.I've been eyeing up these couple yatsubusa elm trunks in my yard for next year.We will see.
They both would be chopped back hard and all branches re grown,I guess.
So maybe not entirely all Zelkova
Here are the horrible pictures.
Thanks again!

 

[Vin]

Dude! I'll buy that second one!

 

[Stan Kengai]

Darlene, for me there is a definite summer dormancy/stasis, but for the most part only in broadleaf plants. It last from about mid-July to the last week of August. Needled evergreens like pine, juniper and cypress keep going. The only broadleaf exceptions that I've encountered are azaleas, trident maple and crape myrtle. However, if cut back hard, most all plants will keep growing through the heat of summer.

The timing of your questions is impeccable, at least for me, because summer dormant plants are starting back up right about now.

 

[Vin]

The other thing I've noticed is around the middle of summer dormancy the critters start really pouring it on. My bug sprayer has been in overdrive for weeks now.

 

[sorce]

If we had a spring, or summer, I might be able to chime in.
If it wasn't cold as hell yesterday....
With 30mph winds....

If there was a hot part of summer...

I took a close look at the leaves of my tree yesterday, there were little WTFs on them!

Damn it!

Sorce

 

[M. Frary]

No summer dormancy here. Everything just keeps growing.
We only had 2 days at 90 this year.

 

[Paradox]

My trees definitely slow down in July and into mid August here. Along those lines, I've noticed that my pots stay wetter during the summer months, even though the temps are generally 90 F or higher. This is undoubtedly related to higher ambient humidity....

I see a very similar pattern to Dav4. I have also noticed the pots stay wetter when it's more humid. I can sometimes wait an extra day to water when it is like that. My maples and juniper have started putting on new growth and my Scots pine (and probably my mugos) have started thickening their branches which normally happens in late summer/fall.

 

[Txhorticulture]

always thought those down south had longer growing seasons. Then was told of the root growth sweet spot (optimal growth for most plants) is around 65-85*F...below 45 and above 95 is where they start to shut down.

Generally lower latitudes do have longer growing seasons. Sure many plants grow less in extreme heat. I am not sure that I'd call that dormancy though. I live in a very hot climate and even in containers cedrus hasn't stopped growing at all. My two small olive trees didn't even seem to start growing well untill it got hot. I have a bunch of adenium that didnt grow well at all untill we started getting close to 100 Fahrenheit.

I will say cool temperate plants like japanese maple do seeM to stop in their tracks once we get hot weather but they start growing again in early fall which is still enough time to harden off . Warm temperate plants, sub tropical and tropical plants often power through if you water them.

I think if you're talking about bunch of nursery plants under potted in one gallon black plastic cans the effect is more pronounced.

But to say that makes the growing season shorter? I don't know about that. You can grow vegetables outside for 9 or 10 months out of the year here in south central texas. Check your produce department. You'll see a lot of Texas, Florida, southern California, Mexico, chile..... all low latitude.

 

[Clicio]

Very sorry to bring up this old thread, but Google found it out...
Fact is summer here in Brazil came earlier and stronger - right now is 102F outside - and based on past summers, yes, many bonsai stop growing here in the summer.
Tropicals keep growing, some conifers do the same, but maples and even calliandras do stop; last year I lost a calliandra just for leaving it in full sun, even watering it twice a day minimum.
BRTs and Ficus like the warm weather, but in the shade.
Kumquat seems to love this heat, as well as Bougies and most shrubs (firethorns, boxwood and the like).

 

[Cadillactaste]

Very sorry to bring up this old thread, but Google found it out...
Fact is summer here in Brazil came earlier and stronger - right now is 102F outside - and based on past summers, yes, many bonsai stop growing here in the summer.
Tropicals keep growing, some conifers do the same, but maples and even calliandras do stop; last year I lost a calliandra just for leaving it in full sun, even watering it twice a day minimum.
BRTs and Ficus like the warm weather, but in the shade.
Kumquat seems to love this heat, as well as Bougies and most shrubs (firethorns, boxwood and the like).

I'm glad some where around this round ball we call earth...someone is experiencing warmth. I about froze outside trying to get the dog to come in. But 102F...might be pushing the extreme the opposite end. Wouldn't want that either.

 

[cockroach]

Here we have two growing "seasons" spring and early summer. The mid summer when temps are high the trees really slow down. Then another strong flush of growth from late summer through the short fall.

 

[Jhilliard6]

Down in southern AZ it is very similar, with summer dormancy beginning around mid June when our first spike of 108F usually hits.. in regards to the Japanese maples especially, they practically shut down. Once monsoons begin in August everything bursts back into full growth however, all the way until November or December.
Some of the oak varieties slowed down their growth as well, but the tropicals and natives are doing just fine with the heat and dont get too much shade.