Fall repotting

Sandi

I have read in a few publications lately that you can safely repot deciduous in the fall. Especially crab apple. Does anyone have any first hand experience at this? It would be nice as it would take some of the load off of spring repotting. I'm in zone 8. It probably won't drop much below freezing here until after the first of the year. Thanks for any input. -- Sandi

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Alasdair

its fine. As the roots have slowed their growth, or even stopped you wont do much damage. It just means they have more healing to do at the start of next season. But not many people repot now, i must be one of very few who does.

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FredL

Sandi, here in the Ozarks, I have had no problems with deciduous species that I have collected or repotted in the Fall, from September thru November. This has included Hackberry, Amur Maple, Chinese Privet, Flowering Quince and Hophornbeam. I have not attempted any fruiting trees other than Quince, but would not hesitate to do so. I have also attempted to collect Conifers during the Fall with uniformally dismal results. I no longer attempt to repot or collect them at this time of year.

Fred

ksbonsai

The only concern I'd have is that since the roots are not growing they will not heal as quickly and so there could be open wounds for a longer time than if it were repotted in spring. This could give disease a chance to take hold.

ALDEVAUX

I d'ont think diseases could be a problem at this time of the season. Organisms that cause root rots (mostly fungi) also stop growing because they are preparing for the winter cycle and have to undergo structural changes (mostly resting spores) that are resistant to these adverse winter conditions. When they resume their growth in the spring the roots of the plants have enough time to heal before any infection can take place.

jed1238

I haven't tried to collect any, but the trees we plant at work are lifted in Nov. and 99.9% of them are pines. We plant about 1mil a year and have no problem. Roots continue to grow in every month in your zone. They just slow down when it gets too cold. I don't think you should have any problems.

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John

Sandi

Thanks everyone. I think I will go ahead and do the crabapples and deciduous. It's so much fun repotting anyway. Now I don't have to wait till spring and then work like crazy to get them all done.
-----Thanks again, Sandi