Hi, After almost 50 days of 100+ temperatures and drought in TX, we have finally had a week of 75-85 degree days with some rain. This has caused all my maples(in containers) to send out a number of new leaves, shoots/branches. Some of them are putting out a lot of new lateral shoots/branches (the buds are opening out) even along the main stem. I have not fertilized them in a month, prior to that I had used fish/seaweed at half strength a couple of times. We usually get our first frost around the mid or end of november, given that we are at the beginning of september, is this enough time for the new growth to harden? or will I have to move them into the garage(I usually do this if they forecast temps below 15) to save the new growth? thanks, xman
It will most likely not be a problem or you will probably have most of the new shoot harden off with a possibility for some tip dieback on the still actively growing part. it just depends on how the temperatures go from here on out. You may want to continue the practice of protecting the maples with the most tender growth early in the winter if the temps drop real low early in November or December. For us here, we don't see the coldest temps until later in the winter. Glad to here your maples are recovering--ours are here also. Hopefully it is a fair amount of growth to make up for the burned foliage.
thanks Galt. Glad to hear your maples are recovering too. Given the extent of hot weather this year, I think my trees made it like champs. These trees are tougher than they look. It is beautiful to see the different colors on the new leaves, and to see the leaf open out in full glory without crisping in the heat, makes one envious of people living in milder climates. xman
