Wait until mid March unless you live in Australia (zone 9 is obviously not in the tropics either.) Green growth if you have any threat of cold is deadly. Wait until after the plant begins to come out of dormancy. Make sure your soil has magnesium (epsom salts or sulpomag) before you fertilize so your plant can effectively process the fertilizer. I give magnesium in early March and then fertilize in mid March.

That's a good idea! Thank you!

My leaves have dropped and I'm hoping the worst of the cold is over? As is my practice, now is when I prune, for appearance, since most of mine are container plants. LB