Why cut it down? My elderberries will have their leaves for another month at least. If you cut it down now, it might spend what energy it has stored trying to grow back. Leave them on, and the root system will be bigger in the spring.

Those are flower buds...I'd pinch them off so the plant sends it's energy elsewhere.

Alex

I think youre confused Alex, Im talking about the actually woody cutting in the middle. Can I cut that down?

And will do on the flower buds. Thanks for your help.

James

Just one question. Why are they indoors? They look a bit straggly and pale. They really ought to be outside where they will grow slower but tougher and will lose their leaves at the appropriate time. I think you should harden them off and get them outdoors. Just a suggestion.

I would plant outdoors, I even have a spot already for it, its just that Id like it to get a bit more rooted in first. And it may look pale because thats the underside of the leaves in the first picture, and straggly because its been in a window growing towards the light. And if I do go that route that you explained, how to go about hardening them off? Cut growing tip off?

>I think youre confused Alex, Im talking about the actually woody cutting in the
>middle. Can I cut that down?

Oh, I see. Sure, you can cut that off.

"Hardening off" just means getting them used to being outside in the wind and sun. If you put them into full sun with no transition, they could get fried, or windy conditions could dry out the leaves. Put them in a sheltered spot, and each day expose them to more sun. Elderberry plants are pretty tough, I think you could have them fully exposed in a week with no problems.

You may already know this, but small plastic pots heat up fast in the sun, and that can dry our the soil and cook the roots. Some shade on the sides of the pot helps a lot.

Alex

Alright I get it now. Thank you. I guess Ill just go put it out today then. But what about the winter? Should I bring it back inside, or plant it in the ground in the fall?

I would plant it in the fall, and protect it with some screen. I haven't had trouble with rodents eating my elderberry plants in the winter, but with plants that small, even a little bit of damage could be significant.

If you keep them in pots over the winter, make sure they don't go through a bunch of freeze/thaw cycles. Put them in an unheated garage or bury the pots in the ground. If they're in the garage, you have to worry about keeping them a little bit moist...not too wet, not too dry.

Alex