trees
I am new to this forum and of late have begun to attempt to grow trees from different area indoors. Eventually I plan to try to bonsai these, but for now would like some basic info. Do deciduous varieties need to go dormant during the winter months or can they remain "awake"? Any advice would be greatly appreciated - Thanks!
IMO, it's important that deciduous trees be allowed to go into their normal winter dormancy. True winter dormancy is as much a response to day length, as it is to lower temperatures.
While it's possible to artificially manipulate the indoor environment to provide an "endless summer", after a season or two, the tree will eventually exhaust itself and go dormant anyway.
Dormancy is controlled by a plant's genes, and like other genetic traits, cannot be easily altered, except on a short-term basis. While it is sometimes possible to disrupt the genetic code, there will usually be a trade-off in the overall health of the plant. That's my point of view, anyway.
I'm not sure I've answered your question, though.
While it's possible to artificially manipulate the indoor environment to provide an "endless summer", after a season or two, the tree will eventually exhaust itself and go dormant anyway.
Dormancy is controlled by a plant's genes, and like other genetic traits, cannot be easily altered, except on a short-term basis. While it is sometimes possible to disrupt the genetic code, there will usually be a trade-off in the overall health of the plant. That's my point of view, anyway.
I'm not sure I've answered your question, though.
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rainbowgardener
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Agree with Kisal, but I would put it a little stronger. Trees that are adapted to a winter dormancy period NEED that period. By keeping them indoors under lights with controlled temperature and hours of light, you can keep them from going dormant. They will make it through a year that way, but by the second winter the tree is exhausted and usually dies. Trying to keep them growing all the time just kills the tree. If you know what you are doing, you can manipulate it so the dormancy period is less, maybe 6-8 weeks instead of 4 months, but that is an advanced level of skill.