Baffling Cotoneaster Behavior

acousticco

Greeting All,

Here’s one that’s got me a little baffled. This is a Tom Thumb Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus 'Tom Thumb') that is beginning to show signs of fall a little early. I’m thinking that it spent the winter and early spring in a nice warm greenhouse, and when I bought it and put it outside it interpreted our unusually rainy and cold spring as cue for its winter naptime. Is there anything that you fine folks think I should do? I don’t think it’ll achieve full dormancy because it’ll warm up here eventually. Any ideas or hypothesis?

Thanks again,

-Cody

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discobassoonist

Hi Cody

I think that if trees can be convinced that they're in a season they're not, I don't think you should really worry too much. For instance, here in Rochester, come August, we get some REALLY strange weather, an immitation of sprintime, and the magnolias loose their leaves, and then rebloom, just like the spring time.

If it is thinking that it's Autumn/fall, I think you can re-awaken the tree at the moment. It might drop it's leaves, (This I've had experience with before from a crab apple) becuase that's what they do, but it should bring out new growth at the same time and readjust to the season.

Interesting occurance, wouldn't you say?
Cheers, and good luck,.
Dane