<Craig writes:
Michael:
>
> I guess you're not familiar with my area. Despite the fact that I'm
> only 1.5 hours away from downtown Manhattan, it gets considerably
> colder here. We're at a much higher elevation than NYC. Last winter
> we had several mornings below zero, a couple of times at -10. Even in
> a protected environment I am quite sure a Kingsville would not survive
> a winter outdoors here. Even my Ilex crenata didn't make it and it
> was pretty well protected. I also lost a few small Chinese Elms and
> another died back to the base, and all were protected. People here
> tell me that's the coldest it gets here, but I don't want to take any
> chances. I find my Kingsvilles do quite well indoors after a month or
> more of dormancy outside. The other problem is that I don't have an
> area in the house or elsewhere that is dry and stays around 35F.>
Craig:
If it works, don't fix it. Last winter challenged all of our trees, and I know of few people who did not incur some level of damage.
<That's a possibility I haven't thought about. The trees are in full
> shade and I water pretty much every day. Would it be ok to cut back
> on watering some? It isn't a serious problem--I just get a flush of
> growth like that occasionally. I cut it all off and no harm is
> done. This happens, btw, on two out of three of my trees. The third
> I've had longer and it doesn't produce these leaves.>
Craig:
Your watering habits may be fine. I am suggesting that most of the bonsai with oversized leaves and unusually long needles are the result of overwatering. I would suggest experimenting with less water and recording the results. Frankly, slightly oversi
zed leaves and needles do not bother me aesthetically if the tree as a whole is large enough to accommodate them from a visual/artistic perspective.
Cordially,
Michael Persiano
members.aol.com/iasnob
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