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Temperate deciduous dormancy issue

There is often occasion to comment, on these forums, regarding the attempt at over-wintering temperate deciduous species (TDS) indoors or without a dormant period. TDS, deprived of a seasonal dormant period, will continue to grow for an undetermined length of time, then become dormant, possibly when they should be actively growing. They rarely survive until the next autumn. This onset of late dormancy is usually fatal for the tree, often because the inexperienced grower mistakes the tree for dead, but also because it is not known that adequate chilling may offer a slight hope for terminating dormancy and possibly saving the plant.

Imagine, please: January or February - The subject tree is a TDS that has only been exposed to natural decreasing photoperiod until outdoor temperatures cooled, at which time it was brought indoors where it continues to grow. The tree is probably growing under stress or even strain.

Questions:

Can the tree be artificially or naturally induced into a meaningful dormant state - and by what method?

What effect does increasing photo-period (after Dec 21) have on this growing tree's dormancy mechanism as it is exposed to chilling temperatures?

Are there opinions as to the degree of cold-hardiness that might be achieved/ expected?

Any other comments or observations?

Thanks for considering the problem.

Al

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