Frost Protection?

[RedRav]

Getting dangerously cold here in Rohnert Park, CA. Have covered my potted bonsai (satsuki azaleas, bougys, elms, boxwood, pomegranate, plum, conifers, etc) with cotton Kingsize sheets over a rope (like a tent). They are on benches with two shelves. They are under an arbor of 50/50 sunfabric. I have lined the lower part of the bench with the older Xmas lights to ward off the freezing temps.
1) Is this sufficient for warnings of temps dipping to 34 degrees?
2) What do other people do when this happens?
Any advice cheerfully read ~

 

[Dav4]

Most conifers, azaleas, elms, and boxwood will easily deal with temps that cold and even colder. They can tolerate temps well below freezing. I suspect the pomegranate can deal with some freezing temps as well, but have never kept one. The bougy should probably be brought inside.

 

[MinnesotaKirk]

Here in Minnesota I use a heater to warm my trees but the goal is to get them UP to 34 degrees. It is 2 degrees outside right now.

 

[dick benbow]

Sounds like your on the right track. if things get worse, you can also borrow from the florida citrus growers playbook of the use of water as protection.

My experience is based on my efforts with the Pacific rim bonsai museum (formerly Weyerhaeuser) where the trees in winter display have a plexiglass house around them with just the front wall open for viewing. When the temps dip below 28F, the front cover is attached and the heater in the floor is started to warm the pot.

From my personal collection, my subjects are buried in bark over the pot under the benches.
The trunk and limbs seem to deal alright with the cold and it's the roots that I'm focused on
for their vulnerability.

Mine have a history of dealing with colder weather. Yours don't, so I think you have to be more vigilent.

I'm always relieved when spring comes and life renews itself....

 

[jk_lewis]

You're 50 miles North of SF. I think all of the trees you listed will do fine at temperatures into the high 20s (F), except, perhaps, the Bougainvillea and the pomegranate, which might do better inside if you get freezing temps.

 

[Bunjeh]

Bring 'er in.

Definitely bring the Bougy inside. Lost one a couple of weeks ago when the temps dropped below freezing. Weather report said the low would be 35. Woke up to 29 and a dead bougy. Generally speaking, if it gets below 40 bring 'er in. The rest will do better if you take them off of the bench and put them on the ground. It's the roots that are in danger, not the tops.