The Calendar

Monitor twice daily. Do not let dry.

Essential to monitor moisture daily. Water in early morning or evening.

Slightly reduce watering if temperatures exceed 90°F.

Maintain regular watering; soil evenly moist.

Daily or twice daily during heat waves.

Water consistently; avoid drought conditions.

Daily or more in extreme heat; monitor container dryness.

Feeding

28 species

Boxwood11 on the bench

Reduce nitrogen; use lower nitrogen fertilizer.

Japanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy'6 on the bench

Taper nitrogen; hold feed during hottest weeks.

Dawn Redwood5 on the bench

Continue biweekly feeding with low-nitrogen fertilizer.

Chinese Juniper3 on the bench

Continue nitrogen-based feeding if pushing growth.

Colorado Blue Spruce2 on the bench

Resume light feeding if growth has slowed naturally.

Coralbark Japanese Maple2 on the bench

Taper nitrogen; hold feed during hottest weeks.

Bigleaf Maple1 on the bench

Taper nitrogen; hold feed during hottest weeks.

Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench

Withhold fertilizer during heat waves to avoid root burn.

Copper Beech1 on the bench

Pause or reduce depending on vigor.

Creeping Juniper1 on the bench

Pause if growth stalls in heat.

Engelmann Spruce1 on the bench

Discontinue high nitrogen; switch to low or zero nitrogen.

Ginkgo biloba1 on the bench

Light feeding only; avoid stimulating excessive growth.

Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench

Reduce frequency if growth slows.

Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench

Stop fertilizing in peak heat to avoid stressing roots.

Japanese Larch1 on the bench

Light feeding with low nitrogen.

Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood'1 on the bench

Taper nitrogen; hold feed during hottest weeks.

Japanese Yew1 on the bench

One final low-nitrogen feed can be given early.

Lilac Sensation1 on the bench

Continue monthly with organic or slow-release.

Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench

Suspend or use weak feed to avoid burning roots.

Satsuki Azalea1 on the bench

Continue feeding every 2-3 weeks. Use dilute liquid feed.

Trident Maple1 on the bench

Reduce nitrogen, focus on potassium if flower/fruit desired.

From the wider reference

Switch to lower nitrogen mix to harden growth.

Reduce nitrogen. Use lower-N, higher-P/K fertilizer to support flowers and fruit.

Use diluted fertilizer monthly during peak heat.

Reduce nitrogen; apply low-nitrogen fertilizer.

Use low-nitrogen or potassium-rich feed to support wood maturity.

Reduce nitrogen; emphasize potassium and phosphorus.

Continue light feeding; avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers.

Repotting

2 species

Creeping Juniper1 on the bench

Avoid.

From the wider reference

Do not repot in this phase.

Pruning

24 species

Boxwood11 on the bench

Minimal; avoid heavy pruning.

Japanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy'6 on the bench

Pinch back soft spring growth; wait until fall for structure.

Dawn Redwood5 on the bench

Minimal pruning; avoid stress during high heat.

Chinese Juniper3 on the bench

Avoid heavy cuts; tip pruning only.

Coralbark Japanese Maple2 on the bench

Pinch back soft spring growth; wait until fall for structure.

Bigleaf Maple1 on the bench

Pinch back soft spring growth; wait until fall for structure.

Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench

Minimal pruning; allow energy storage. Maintain form if needed.

Creeping Juniper1 on the bench

Very light touch-ups only.

Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench

Only minor trimming; avoid heavy stress.

Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench

No structural pruning. Only minimal cleanup of browning tips.

Japanese Larch1 on the bench

Only tip pruning if needed.

Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood'1 on the bench

Pinch back soft spring growth; wait until fall for structure.

Japanese Yew1 on the bench

Minimal intervention. Focus on health.

Lilac Sensation1 on the bench

Light trimming to encourage branching.

Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench

Minimal—only remove excess shoots or suckers.

Satsuki Azalea1 on the bench

Only light pruning to maintain shape.

Trident Maple1 on the bench

Pinch new growth; wait until fall for structural changes.

From the wider reference

Only minor adjustments or shoot pinching.

Light touch. Avoid heavy pruning which may trigger weak late growth.

Only light trimming; avoid major work.

Limited pruning; minor trimming for form.

Avoid heavy pruning; light shaping only.

Minimal pruning; avoid stressing tree in heat.

Minor tip trimming only.

Wiring

12 species

Boxwood11 on the bench

Monitor wires carefully to prevent scars.

Dawn Redwood5 on the bench

Remove or adjust wire to prevent scarring.

Chinese Juniper3 on the bench

Inspect for wire bite, remove or adjust if needed.

Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench

Remove wires that have started to bite. Do not apply new wiring.

Creeping Juniper1 on the bench

Monitor existing wire for bite, especially on fast growers.

Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench

Only clip-and-grow; avoid wire burns.

Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench

Remove wire that’s biting. Avoid new applications.

Japanese Larch1 on the bench

Avoid—branches are brittle under heat stress.

Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench

Avoid unless necessary; high sap pressure increases breakage risk.

From the wider reference

Check wiring closely; remove if needed.

Adjust or remove wires if swelling occurs.

Remove wires if biting in; bark can scar easily now.

Defoliation

3 species

Copper Beech1 on the bench

Not recommended.

From the wider reference

Avoid full defoliation due to stress.

Avoid—stress and heat reduce recovery capacity.

Buds & shoots

11 species

Dawn Redwood5 on the bench

Light trimming of coarse growth to preserve silhouette.

Chinese Juniper3 on the bench

Manage sun exposure for internal buds.

Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench

Let tree rest. Avoid forcing new growth.

Creeping Juniper1 on the bench

Remove overextended shoots or reversions.

Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench

Manage strong apex shoots.

Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench

Minimal activity; foliage may be static in heat.

Japanese Larch1 on the bench

Allow buds to rest.

Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench

Trim long runners only if health allows.

Satsuki Azalea1 on the bench

Disbud excessively long shoots.

From the wider reference

Use pruning to redirect energy subtly.

Stop active shoot management.

Pests & disease

28 species

Boxwood11 on the bench

Monitor closely for pests; treat proactively.

Japanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy'6 on the bench

Check for powdery mildew in humid weather.

Dawn Redwood5 on the bench

Watch for fungal infections, mites, and leaf scorch.

Chinese Juniper3 on the bench

Aphids, mites, fungal spots common—treat proactively.

Colorado Blue Spruce2 on the bench

High risk period for spider mites; spray with water regularly to deter.

Coralbark Japanese Maple2 on the bench

Check for powdery mildew in humid weather.

Bigleaf Maple1 on the bench

Check for powdery mildew in humid weather.

Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench

Watch for fungal leaf spot from overhead watering. Increase airflow.

Copper Beech1 on the bench

High fungal pressure—monitor closely.

Creeping Juniper1 on the bench

High risk for spider mites—hose foliage gently to deter.

Engelmann Spruce1 on the bench

Watch for spider mites in hot weather; inspect needles.

Ginkgo biloba1 on the bench

Watch for spider mites in dry conditions.

Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench

Fire blight and scale may appear—act quickly.

Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench

High risk for mites and fungal leaf blight. Treat proactively.

Japanese Larch1 on the bench

High risk of spider mites and mildew.

Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood'1 on the bench

Check for powdery mildew in humid weather.

Japanese Yew1 on the bench

Watch for root rot and mites in heat.

Lilac Sensation1 on the bench

Continue mildew and pest monitoring.

Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench

Peak pest season—use systemic treatment only if needed.

Satsuki Azalea1 on the bench

Control mildew and lace bugs. Watch leaf undersides.

Trident Maple1 on the bench

Spider mites can appear—use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.

From the wider reference

High vigilance for mites and mildew.

Continue regular checks. Consider neem oil as preventive if pest cycles persist.

Monitor for pests in humid conditions.

Watch for fungal issues; maintain airflow.

Watch for mites, mildew, and leaf scorch.

Check for fungal diseases; treat promptly.

Red spider mites and fungal blight common—treat promptly.

Summer protection

28 species

Boxwood11 on the bench

Protect from intense sun to avoid leaf scorch.

Japanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy'6 on the bench

Ensure root ball doesn’t overheat—shade or pot insulation.

Dawn Redwood5 on the bench

Provide mid-day shade and wind protection.

Chinese Juniper3 on the bench

Essential; shade cloth or dappled sun recommended.

Colorado Blue Spruce2 on the bench

Maintain shade and wind protection.

Coralbark Japanese Maple2 on the bench

Ensure root ball doesn’t overheat—shade or pot insulation.

Bigleaf Maple1 on the bench

Ensure root ball doesn’t overheat—shade or pot insulation.

Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench

Maintain shade. Watch for sun scorch on older leaves.

Copper Beech1 on the bench

Critical—sun scorch is a major risk.

Creeping Juniper1 on the bench

Increase humidity around pot and use mulch or moss cover.

Engelmann Spruce1 on the bench

Protect from peak heat; humidity trays help indoors.

Ginkgo biloba1 on the bench

Provide shade during extreme heat or intense sun.

Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench

Maintain airflow and shading.

Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench

Shade cloth or dappled sun is ideal in extreme temps.

Japanese Larch1 on the bench

Shade netting advisable.

Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood'1 on the bench

Ensure root ball doesn’t overheat—shade or pot insulation.

Japanese Yew1 on the bench

Shade and airflow essential.

Lilac Sensation1 on the bench

Use shade cloth or dappled shade.

Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench

Critical—shade, wind protection, and airflow required.

Satsuki Azalea1 on the bench

Maintain strong airflow and filtered sun.

Trident Maple1 on the bench

Shield roots from extreme heat if uninsulated pot.

From the wider reference

Essential. Avoid leaf scorch with shading.

Ensure afternoon shade. Mist foliage during dry spells to reduce stress.

Provide shade during prolonged heatwaves (>90°F), but otherwise full sun is ideal. Watch for heat stress, use shade cloth if needed.

Shade required during peak sun intensity.

Maintain shade and consistent moisture.

Protect from intense sun.

Maintain shade during peak heat hours.

Wound care

7 species

Colorado Blue Spruce2 on the bench

Seal fresh cuts to prevent sap loss and desiccation.

Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench

Only minor cleaning of callus areas.

Creeping Juniper1 on the bench

Don’t prune heavily in high heat.

Japanese Larch1 on the bench

Do not create wounds in extreme heat.

Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench

Delay major work.

From the wider reference

Delay major work; focus on healing conditions.

Do not cut unless essential.

Deadwood & jin

6 species

Colorado Blue Spruce2 on the bench

Continue as needed but avoid carving during extreme heat.

Creeping Juniper1 on the bench

Only in shaded, cooled conditions.

Japanese Larch1 on the bench

Delay until cooler months.

Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench

Avoid unless shaded and humid—heat stresses wood and tools.

From the wider reference

Avoid due to high sap activity.

Avoid—wood dries too fast and tools can slip.

Propagation

10 species

Chinese Juniper3 on the bench

Try semi-hardwood cuttings with rooting hormone.

Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench

Continue air layering if started earlier.

Creeping Juniper1 on the bench

Difficult but possible with mist bench.

Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench

Semi-hardwood cuttings can be taken.

Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench

Take semi-hardwood cuttings if necessary, root with auxins.

Japanese Larch1 on the bench

Attempt layering.

Japanese Yew1 on the bench

Continue softwood or semi-ripe cuttings.

Satsuki Azalea1 on the bench

Continue soft/semi-hardwood propagation.

From the wider reference

Continue semi-hardwood cutting propagation.

Monitor cuttings; root development begins.

Development

15 species

Dawn Redwood5 on the bench

Observe growth habits; avoid stress.

Chinese Juniper3 on the bench

Allow vigor to store energy for fall.

Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench

Rest phase. Maintain health.

Creeping Juniper1 on the bench

Hold; avoid major shaping in heat.

Ginkgo biloba1 on the bench

Minimal training; focus on health and hydration.

Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench

Let energy rebuild after early pruning.

Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench

Monitor tree health. Maintain energy balance across branches.

Japanese Larch1 on the bench

Maintain silhouette only.

Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench

Do not force growth; manage health.

Satsuki Azalea1 on the bench

Mid-point growth push. Encourage fine branching.

From the wider reference

Let growth stabilize. Avoid pushing new growth now.

Focus on maintaining health, not structural work.

Encourage free growth to build trunk and branch girth. Full sun beneficial.

Focus on subtle shape control; avoid stressing the tree.

Maintain health; no major interventions.

Display

6 species

Creeping Juniper1 on the bench

Indoor or shaded exhibition only.

Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench

Avoid showing trees in distress during heat.

Japanese Larch1 on the bench

Limit exposure; avoid hot venues.

Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench

Not recommended—heat stress risk.

From the wider reference

Still showy if healthy, but heat stress may affect appearance.