Beginning of the period of rest
Accumulation of the reserves. Establishment of buds with flowers. The tree accumulates reserves required for the winter. Some leaves yellow and start to fall.
Needs of the tree
Provide elements to enable it to spend the winter without damage. It must accumulate reserves. Autumn fertilisation. Prepare for over wintering, and don’t be caught out by a cold snap.
Placement
The tree continues to accumulate reserves. Its wood continues to thicken. Its roots always function. But take care as the tree goes into survival mode, which excludes all jobs like pinching and defoliation.
Fertilizing
This month, finish applications of fertilisers rich in P and K, organics or organic-mineral. They will have to include a little nitrogen. At the end of the month you can neutralise the soil mix with water plus ashes.
Watering
Always supervise the watering because some days may still be warm.
Treatment
Possibility of giving the first winter treatment of copper and sulphur. Copper is a fungicide, and you can apply it at the fall of the leaves or before their appearance. Don’t use on pear or apple trees, hawthorns, cotoneasters with their leaves.
Activities
- Good time for a yamadori trip (collecting) this month, before the arrival of snow. Clean the roots well. Use a very well draining substratum with plenty of pine bark. Secure the tree well.
- Pinus: start defoliation. You will remove only from the branches strong twigs or the dense needles of the previous year. Remove them delicately with pliers so as not to damage the sheath. At this place there is a latent bud, which will be able to open next spring and give rise to a future twig. You can also cut off the needles with scissors.
- Tropical bonsai: they must be indoors now. But once inside, don’t forget to continue with a good watering regime.
- Wiring: Wire leafy trees, but take great care because the branches are rather breakable. Repotting: It’s still possible if you provide protection against the cold.
