SF Bay Area Suggestions 

By Mr. Umehara

March

 Early Part of the Month

Transplanting
Transplanting time started in late February still continues.
1. Transplant pine as soon as the candle shows movement and until the
growth of the candle stops and the needle buds come out like a pimple
around the candle.  This is about the same time as the Japanese flowering
cherry (akebono) blooms, which in the Bay Area is mid-March.
2. Most deciduous trees can be transplanted after the buds begin to
show the glow and until they start growing.
3. The best times for transplanting old  junipers is February or September.
4. Ume (apricot) can be transplanted after flowering and until the
leaf buds start to move.
5. If the flowering has started on crabapple, karin (Pseudocydonia
sinensis), and akebia, HOLD OFF transplanting until October.
Note:   All flowering and fruit/berry bearing trees should have a sprinkle
of either bonemeal or Magamp-K (7-40-6) in the bottom of the pot, but
on top of the coarse gravel, when transplanting.

Pollination
1. Akebia and karin bloom early and require artificial pollination.
For a successful pollination, there should be two to three trees each of
male and female on hand.
2. Crabapple and bittersweet need to have their blossoms protected
from the rain.  Bittersweet will require one male tree for several
female trees. Proper fall fertilization will determine the flowering
success on flowering and fruit/berry-bearing trees.

Mid Month

Grass Materials
1. Grass materials require transplanting more often.  They become
dense quickly.  They should be split or divided as needed.
2. To groom Sasa bamboo, give it a "crew hair cut" leaving the first
node above the base.

Trimming and Bud Nipping
1.  Trim back cryptomeria and needle juniper to the desired height and
length of foliage on each branch.  Transplant a couple of weeks later
after the trimming.
2. For maple-bud nipping:
*  Check on the bud's growth every day and nip the buds as they
come out.
*  To maintain the present size and form, nip the center of the bud
as the bud just begins to open.
*  To let the tree get larger, nip the bud after the second
leaf opens.
*  For trees in cultivation to enlarge the trunk or trees in
the healing process from scars and wounds, do not nip the buds, just
let the tree grow.

Late Part of the Month

As the weather starts to warm up, aphids will attack the tender new
leaves. Spray with diluted (1/2 normal strength) Malathion.

Transplanting
1. Transplant citrus trees, gardenias, and pomegranates now.
2. Wait until April for crepe myrtle.
3. Did you miss transplanting your maples earlier?  There is a second
chance to transplant just after the bud growth comes to a rest, but
before growing begins again.
4. Transplant camellias and Sasanqua  (camellia family) immediately
after blooming.  Camellia roots have a  tendency to form a coil, so
take time to uncoil roots when transplanting.
5. Transplant wisteria before flowering.  Do not remove the seed pods
after blooming as it will keep new growth to a minimum.