Seasonal Care Guide
Early Summer
(Jun 1 – Jun 30)
- Watering: Daily, especially during hot spells; avoid drought stress.
- Fertilization: Low-nitrogen or organic feed every 2–3 weeks.
- Repotting: Not recommended.
- Pruning: Tip prune lightly for refinement; no heavy cuts.
- Wiring: Monitor for wire bite; remove if swelling.
- Defoliation: Not applicable to this species.
- Bud Shoot Management: Trim elongated shoots; encourage backbudding.
- Pests Disease: Aphids, mites, fungal problems—inspect underside of foliage.
- Summer Protection: Provide afternoon shade or dappled sun in heat waves.
- Wound Management: Avoid cuts unless necessary; risk of sap bleed and infection.
- Deadwood Carving: Possible if wood is dry, but avoid high temps.
- Propagation: Take softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings.
- Development: Encourage density in pads; wire if needed.
- Display: Avoid during intense heat or direct afternoon sun.
Mid Summer
(Jul 1 – Aug 10)
- Watering: Daily or more in extreme heat; monitor container dryness.
- Fertilization: Continue light feeding; avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers.
- Repotting: Do not repot in this phase.
- Pruning: Minor tip trimming only.
- Wiring: Remove wires if biting in; bark can scar easily now.
- Bud Shoot Management: Stop active shoot management.
- Pests Disease: Red spider mites and fungal blight common—treat promptly.
- Summer Protection: Maintain shade during peak heat hours.
- Wound Management: Do not cut unless essential.
- Deadwood Carving: Avoid—wood dries too fast and tools can slip.
- Propagation: Monitor cuttings; root development begins.
- Development: Maintain health; no major interventions.
- Display: Not recommended.
Late Summer
(Aug 11 – Aug 31)
- Watering: Begin slightly reducing frequency as temps cool.
- Fertilization: Last feeding with low-N fertilizer.
- Repotting: Still not advised.
- Pruning: Remove weak or diseased shoots.
- Wiring: Begin considering wiring for fall shaping if temps allow.
- Bud Shoot Management: Halt trimming—let shoots harden.
- Pests Disease: Begin pest clean-up for fall.
- Winter Protection: Prepare mulch or cold-frame strategy.
- Summer Protection: Phase out by end of month.
- Wound Management: Sterilize tools and avoid late wounds.
- Deadwood Carving: Safe again if temps drop and humidity rises.
- Propagation: Harden off rooted cuttings.
- Development: Observe growth direction and balance.
- Display: OK only in temperate conditions.
Species Overview
Soft, bluish foliage with pendulous character; slow grower, great for informal upright.
- Leaf Persistence: Evergreen
- Leaf Form: Conifer
- Watering: Moderate
- Watering Notes: Needs humidity; avoid letting roots dry.
- Watering Season: Spring → Autumn
- Fertilization: Balanced
- Fertilization Notes: Light feed due to slow metabolism.
- Wiring: Spring or Autumn
- Wiring Notes: Use aluminum wire; bark is thin and sensitive.
- Pruning: Structural in spring, maintenance summer
- Pruning Notes: Trim candles and pinch new tips mid-summer.
- Repotting: Every 2-3 years
- Repotting Notes: Handle gently; roots are fragile when dry.
- Propagation: Cuttings or seed
- Propagation Notes: Semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer root best.
- Zone 8b: Avoid repotting in wet winter
Mossy Spot
