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New growth to hardened

stickstring ( Sonoma County, CA 9B)

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

What is the average time frame it takes new growth to harden? Hardened to the point you feel comfortable going into winter?

my tree's stay outdoors all year, we have (for the most part) light frosts during winter with many citrus planted in ground in our county. Mine are in containers due to currently renting and not wanting to leave my tree's behind when we do move. Our average first frost is mid to late November. All of my tree's are currently in a growth spurt.

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Comments (8)

stickstring ( Sonoma County, CA 9B)
Original Author
6 years ago
Johnmerr would you happen to know?
poncirusguy6b452xx
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
It takes a while. You can withhold food and water to hasten hardening and you can bring the trees into a predominantly shaded area. This works well. My problem is my trees really start to grow in September to October. Average first frost for me is late October and not enough time to harden. My tree must come in or go under glass. Withholding fertilizer can be northing more than a total root flush and light watering. you will need to bring the tree into shade for under watering or sun will dehydrate your tree fast.

Steve
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what does it matter... there isnt anything you can do about it ... in spring.. any improperly hardened off parts.. will have blackened... and you can prune it out ... this is one reason i NEVER fert trees.. shrubs.. and conifers ... they are not children.. they dont need to be fed ... ever .. IMHO ... if something is lacking in the soil.. based on a high level soil test.. that has nothing to do with 'feeding babies' ... was yours a recent transplant.. if so.. and you didnt bare root the plant.. you also have incorporated fert .. so you may have doubled up on such.. by adding more .... ken ps: i am going to bet.. its not going to be a huge problem in your zone ... compared to froze solid MI in winter ...
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"So should I take cuttings from * all* of the green growth, since it will die anyway? ... all the way back to where the growth has started to harden? " I had the same questions. What I found out is that all of the new growth doesn't necessarily die back, particularity if they get the right amount of water. I insert a bamboo skewer into the soil to judge. Like yours, my plants are still of manageable height. I removed all of their leaves and sprayed them down with "Wilt-Pruf" to prevent/lessen dessication and moved them to the cool and dark basement. They're still blooming down there. )) Gail
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johnmerr
6 years ago
Stick,

Never measured it; but seems like about 6 weeks for my garden trees.
stickstring ( Sonoma County, CA 9B)
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you guys, my plan was to continue fertilizing (1 tbsp foliage pro per gallon every 2-3 days) until 10/1, then I was going to reduce fertilizer to 1/4 tsp per Gallon from that point forward at every watering. During the winter months I water on average 1 per week.
poncirusguy6b452xx
6 years ago
The perfect ratio is 5-1-3. Can you find a 1-1-3 for winter time. I'll keep my Eyes peeled
uncle molewacker z9b Danville CA (E.SF Bay)
6 years ago
I don't know how long / old the growth needs to be before it's considered hardened. But, I stop feeding my in ground trees in august because I have found any new growth in September and later gets toasted in a late November/ early December freeze(s).
johnmerr
6 years ago
Thanks, George. That is real experience; and that is what most of us here are looking for.
stickstring ( Sonoma County, CA 9B)
Original Author
6 years ago
thank you all for your information and advice.

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