stosh
Yamadori
After that cold winter in NYC I lost 4 Dwarf Juniper pre-bonsai. What are the Do's and Don't on winter care?
Do's and don't Winter care
- Thread starter stosh
- Start date
0soyoung
Imperial Masterpiece
If I had only lost 4 trees I wouldn't be too worried, but I have many more than 4 trees. Care to add some context (i.e., approximate size of your collection)?
First order of business is to protect the roots. Unless you have alpine varieties, roots cannot withstand temperatures below 20F (give or take). The bigger the pot the more the seeming tolerance because of the thermal mass of the damp medium.
The second order of business is to protect the above ground part of the tree from exposure to fatal cold. This is easily judged by the USDA zones. If it is a tree in your zone, just embedding the pot in a mulch bed may be sufficient. Snow cover will add some insulation and protect from temporary (e.g., overnight) cold caused damage.
Do protect from drying wind/breezes.
Do be sure that the roots stay moist.
Locate your bonsai out of full sun.
First order of business is to protect the roots. Unless you have alpine varieties, roots cannot withstand temperatures below 20F (give or take). The bigger the pot the more the seeming tolerance because of the thermal mass of the damp medium.
The second order of business is to protect the above ground part of the tree from exposure to fatal cold. This is easily judged by the USDA zones. If it is a tree in your zone, just embedding the pot in a mulch bed may be sufficient. Snow cover will add some insulation and protect from temporary (e.g., overnight) cold caused damage.
Do protect from drying wind/breezes.
Do be sure that the roots stay moist.
Locate your bonsai out of full sun.
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jk_lewis
Masterpiece
Best info I've seen: http://www.rgbonsai.com/wintering.htm
stosh
Yamadori
My collection consist of: 1 10ys procumbent na na, 12 baby shimpaku, 3 Japenese maples and 1 Hinoki cypress. I've been told that a shed or garage is the best place during winter months.
Now after Thanksgiving is the rule of thumb that trees go dormant after that I can put them in the shed. Now do they need an sunlight in the shed?
Now after Thanksgiving is the rule of thumb that trees go dormant after that I can put them in the shed. Now do they need an sunlight in the shed?
Dav4
Drop Branch Murphy
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If the temps inside the outbuilding are consistently at or below 40 F, the trees will not need sunlight.
stosh
Yamadori
So its fine in a pitch black shed and moist soil. Just want to be sure.
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lordy
Omono
What Dav4 told you is true, but you mentioned moist soil..That must come from you. If left outdoors, Mother Nature should be able to take care of the watering.
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
Yeah, don't let them dry out. I've never lost a tree to the cold, but have lost a couple to dryness.
And if you intend to place them in a shed or garage, make sure there aren't rodents...they can do a lot of damage over the course of a winter.
And if you intend to place them in a shed or garage, make sure there aren't rodents...they can do a lot of damage over the course of a winter.
fore
Omono
Dav4
Drop Branch Murphy
- Messages
- 13,116
- Reaction score
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- USDA Zone
- 6a
When I stored my trees in a garage for the winter, they were mulched on the concrete floor. Other then applying some snow here and there when available through the winter, they weren't watered from November through March and I never lost one from drying out...just a thought.
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
Have you tried an oscillating fan in front of the heater, that's plugged in to the thermostat, so that when the heat comes on, the fan does, and helps to move the heat around?
I also use humidifiers on timers, that helps to keep the air from being so dry.
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
Interesting suggestion, Judy. The little electric space heater I use in my 10x10 shelter has a fan, but it doesn't move much air around. Will think about adding a small oscillating fan on the same timer circuit.
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
Works great for me, I tested using my remote thermometer system with and without that fan. HUGE difference overall.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Wet Sphagnum in the arctic killed a few of my trees last winter. Thats a don't for me.
Do replace the top layer of soil. Havent done it. But will this year.
Mounded snow is good.
On the ground is good.
Do replace the top layer of soil. Havent done it. But will this year.
Mounded snow is good.
On the ground is good.
