Warm winter wreaking havoc...Chinese Quince

[jeremy_norbury]

Just like the US, we're having the warmest December on record - and the effects can be seen with this pseudocydonia sinensis - budding out before winter even starts. At 58F, we're 16F above normal for the whole month.

url=https://flic.kr/p/CcQTMZ]

[/url]12192444 by Jerry Norbury, on Flickr

10240544 by Jerry Norbury, on Flickr

 

[coh]

Hmm, that could be a problem! Hope you have a way to deal with it.

We're averaging 12 F above normal for December, though today is actually fairly cold...stayed below freezing.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Yeah, mine are pushing a little too. It's never been a problem though. When it gets cold, they stall out, and when it gets warm they push a little more. Unless it's down in the teens F, those buds aren't damaged.

 

[JudyB]

Yikes. I have a similar issue going on with my stewartia, but they're not as far along as that. Did have a single bud pop on my hawthorn. Hope this winter doesn't take a toll by being too mild.

 

[Lazylightningny]

I haven't had that issue yet with any of mine, but I am worried about it.

 

[JohnDoses]

Here in KY, it's looking like December is going to finish with highs in the 50s and 60s, which worries me. Hopefully the saving grace will be lows in the 40s and 30s? This is my first winter too...

 

[RickMartin]

I think it's taking it toll everywhere. Yesterday and today was the first days below freezing. Tomorrow back in the 50's

Rick

 

[aml1014]

I think it's taking it toll everywhere. Yesterday and today was the first days below freezing. Tomorrow back in the 50's

Rick

And here I am in the desert southwest in new mexico the low last night was 22 and high today was 38, it's crazy how warm it is up north right now.

 

[JudyB]

What will you do with this quince now that it's so far along, if the buds actually open?

 

[jeremy_norbury]

I'll put it in my cold greenhouse - so that it doesn't actually freeze if it gets very cold.

I saw some daffodils growing today...

 

[Dav4]

My Chinese quince still have all their leaves, though they're beginning to turn...crazy weather. Good luck

 

[wireme]

And here I am in the desert southwest in new mexico the low last night was 22 and high today was 38, it's crazy how warm it is up north right now.

Must be the North East I guess?
Here, it is has been pretty much normal weather for the season... thankfully.

 

[leatherback]

Yeah, same here, some 200km inland from where you are Jeremy. We hit 60F today. Can only hope that winter will take a few weeks to grow strong, rather then jump us in a flash.
Have started repotting today..

 

[eferguson1974]

I read about a guy in Wisconsin with the same problem with his quince. What can happen as a result? Im a southerner so I havnt had much experiance with cold affecting trees
or not, as the case may be. Will high temps now disrupt the growing season? If it gets cold, will it loose its leaves and have to push out more?

 

[jeremy_norbury]

I read about a guy in Wisconsin with the same problem with his quince. What can happen as a result? Im a southerner so I havnt had much experiance with cold affecting trees
or not, as the case may be. Will high temps now disrupt the growing season? If it gets cold, will it loose its leaves and have to push out more?

It can,indeed, disrupt the growing season. More importantly when it finally DOES get cold, they're not at all dormant. And actively growing trees which freeze can die.

 

[eferguson1974]

It can,indeed, disrupt the growing season. More importantly when it finally DOES get cold, they're not at all dormant. And actively growing trees which freeze can die.

Thanks, thats makes sence. In Fl. the oranges turn sour and need protection, as well as strawberries. Doesnt sound like a problem for them so far
Thanks again.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Yeah, mine are pushing a little too. It's never been a problem though. When it gets cold, they stall out, and when it gets warm they push a little more. Unless it's down in the teens F, those buds aren't damaged.

That's good to know...I've not noticed any of mine doing this...but figured it is what it is...that winter will eventually hit. But...would wonder if not all the leaves bud out...if it could go back into dormancy with just less foliage appearing at springtime...and the tree acting as if it were defoliated...push more growth then when it wakes up...

So if I do see a few bud our...my controlled greenhouse would protect them...

 

[Cypress187]

Too bad the fridge light goes out when u close the door

 

[Cadillactaste]

It can,indeed, disrupt the growing season. More importantly when it finally DOES get cold, they're not at all dormant. And actively growing trees which freeze can die.

So once activity growing they can't be taken back into dormancy? So you mentioned a greenhouse. What temps do you keep this greenhouse then? Just curious...not experiencing this at this time. But warm temps were and issue. We had some cool temps now bumping back into the 60's.

 

[pitchpine]

Does anyone have recommendations on how to deal with an American Larch in this freakishly warm New England weather? It's buds are looking like they normally would in mid to late March : shiny, with hints of green in the center of some. If it breaks dormancy now, I'm not sure I would be able to provide anything close to a cool greenhouse environment to protect it from future freezes!

I'm almost certain I've seen previous posts on this matter, but my searches are coming up empty. Maybe I'm just not using the right keywords...