Hinoki Cypress First Winter

[MeconNH]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here.

This past summer I started caring for a Hinoki cypress bonsai. It was bought from a nursery and it seemed like a pretty healthy, good looking plant. Naturally I did a lot of research in how to care for it and it seems to be quite healthy still.

One area that lacked a lot of detailed information was winter care. I've read everything I could find regarding winter care, but I figured asking people with real experience is always better.

The tree is being kept in a shed where it receives some light (sits next to a south-facing window) and is protected from wind, and cold to a small effect. Everything I've read says to water it about once every two weeks. I'm just concerned about watering it and then putting it right back into a freezing temperature environment. How do you folks water your tree in winter? Do you take special precautions to prevent the fresh water from freezing? Any other tips for winter care?

Thank you.

Here are some pictures from when I first got the tree. The wire anchoring the the plant to the pot has since been removed of course.

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy MeconNH!

That tie wire, is a somewhat necessary part of that things life in a pot.
Lotta folks can pick their trees up by the trunk and bring the pot with.
Not that you should....but secure is good.

It looks mad healthy, but it looks like it's been growing recently too?

I'd be concerned with a greenhouse effect
Keeping it hot to burn, or warm to grow...
Which can keep it from required dormancy periods.

My last water for winter in 2014 was on a 28 degree night, where everything sure froze solid by morning. I didn't water after that till spring.....
It ended up hitting at least -10 that year.
Everything would have died if anything died because of that.

El Nino got Old Man Winter acting all beeoch this year. Buying him video games and shit. Go on lil Nino, whatever you want papa!

Still, I ain't watered this year since...Hell, since I posted the snowman in the Photos thread....or about 2 weeks prior. Nov.?
Been down to -4ish this year....
No worries.

Your biggest concern in that pot shape would be A LOT of excess water, as the shape doesn't allow for Ice to expand and they break.
And it may not even be frost proof at that.

Less worries than more!

Unless it been inside since summer!

Sorce

 

[MeconNH]

Thanks for the reply sorce!

I need to get a thermometer for the shed, but I'd guess it's never more than a few degrees warmer than the outside temperature. It's been a pretty mild winter so far, but there's been a bit of a cold snap the past few weeks, dropping into the twenties. It was about 30F today when I watered it. I routinely check the soil to see if it looks dried out at all. Based on the time since I watered it last, it likes a light watering about once a month.

The pics I included were taken in May, the tree did grow quite a bit over the summer.

Thanks for the reassurance though, the Hinoki Cypress is rather hardy, I was just worried about freezing the roots in such a shallow pot.

Cheers

 

[Stickroot]

I just watered yesterday. They are froze solid, but water still drained right through. It might not make any difference but it makes me feel better.
My Hinoki is outside and froze to the bench. It does not get brutal wind, but some. 26 degrees right now.

 

[MeconNH]

Stickroot, how old is your hinoki? I imagine a more mature plant can deal with more harsh weather. Mine is young, and only about six inches tall. Also, how often do you water yours during the winter?

 

[sorce]

Stickroot, how old is your hinoki? I imagine a more mature plant can deal with more harsh weather. Mine is young, and only about six inches tall. Also, how often do you water yours during the winter?

There is something to be said of the vigor of a young plant....

Sorce

 

[quietobserver]

According to Colin Lewis "bonsai survival manual", Hinoki are good down to 20 or so. One of our extreme northerners can chime in, but ice/snow actually protects from the extreme cold.

 

[Stickroot]

Stickroot, how old is your hinoki? I imagine a more mature plant can deal with more harsh weather. Mine is young, and only about six inches tall. Also, how often do you water yours during the winter?

I have had it for two seasons. But it's not any bigger than yours. I have watered about every 10 to 14 days.

 

[M. Frary]

According to Colin Lewis "bonsai survival manual", Hinoki are good down to 20 or so. One of our extreme northerners can chime in, but ice/snow actually protects from the extreme cold.

I have one that survived outside last year up here remarkably enough. I thought it would be a goner for sure. It got close to 40 below here a bunch of times and consistently below zero for weeks on end. It made it the 2 winters before that also. It was on straw for insulation from the ground and covered up to the bottom branch in straw also. But the main factor in its survival is it was covered in snow. It keeps it frozen but insulates the tree from the bitter cold. It also doesn't let the wind burn it and as it melts it keeps the tree moist.
These trees are not zoned for here which is a cold 4. They are one zone warmer than here but they live.
If that were my tree I would put it outside on the north side of that shed protected from wind and sun. Mulch it in water and check once a week if you live where it doesn't freeze solid for long periods. You don't need to water a frozen tree.

 

[Vance Wood]

Thanks for the reply sorce!

I need to get a thermometer for the shed, but I'd guess it's never more than a few degrees warmer than the outside temperature. It's been a pretty mild winter so far, but there's been a bit of a cold snap the past few weeks, dropping into the twenties. It was about 30F today when I watered it. I routinely check the soil to see if it looks dried out at all. Based on the time since I watered it last, it likes a light watering about once a month.

The pics I included were taken in May, the tree did grow quite a bit over the summer.

Thanks for the reassurance though, the Hinoki Cypress is rather hardy, I was just worried about freezing the roots in such a shallow pot.

Cheers

Where do you live? It's kind of difficult to give you advise if you live on the Moon.

 

[mattspinniken]

I am also from the great white north and Hinoki don't seem to mind. Others I know in the area have been wintering Hinoki outside in zone 4-5 for over 15 years. Keep it out of the wind and sun and look out for critters.

 

[Vance Wood]

I am also from the great white north and Hinoki don't seem to mind. Others I know in the area have been wintering Hinoki outside in zone 4-5 for over 15 years. Keep it out of the wind and sun and look out for critters.

I agree with this treatment. Hinokis can be fussy mostly because they do not get enough water in the summer. They are not Pines.

 

[Stan Kengai]

The biggest concern for Hinoki's in the winter is keeping them out of the wind when the roots are frozen. You should have accomplished this by keeping them in a shed. As Vance alluded to, they are thirstier than most other conifers. I think is has to do with the shape of the foliage providing more surface area. More surface area = more transpiration. Therefore, more water in summer and less wind in winter.

 

[Vance Wood]

I styled this from a nursery tree starting in 1994 when I first joined the Four Seasons's Bonsai Club. The tree originally cost me $6.98 and the SR pot it has eventually found its home in was around $45.00



The tree still needs some more tweeking but it is finally starting to look like something.

 

[Dav4]

The biggest concern for Hinoki's in the winter is keeping them out of the wind when the roots are frozen. You should have accomplished this by keeping them in a shed. As Vance alluded to, they are thirstier than most other conifers. I think is has to do with the shape of the foliage providing more surface area. More surface area = more transpiration. Therefore, more water in summer and less wind in winter.

This. If I remember correctly, Dirr has them rated as usda zone 4 cold hardy...that's -30 F...as landscape trees. The issue is definitely wind when frozen. Keep them out of wind and sun during the winter, protect the root zone when temps fall below 20 F (mulch is the way to go), and you'll be fine, I'd say.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Your shed sounds fine, I would just move it away from the window so it does not get sun. You want it to freeze and stay frozen. One way to make sure they get enough water, pile some snow on the top of the pot. When it warms a little, snow will water your tree.
Nice little Hinoki.

 

[MeconNH]

Thank you for all the replies! My main concern was that it was TOO cold, so you guys put that to rest. I feel a lot more confident now that the tree should do fine in the shed. Maybe I will move it away from the window though. I may also try the snow trick, we'll be getting some this weekend according to the news!

As my name suggests, I live in NH. We've had a relatively mild winter up until a few weeks ago. It's starting to get colder now.

Vance Wood, that is a beautiful tree!

Thanks again everyone!

 

[LanceMac10]

Tighten up your profile, bro! Let that NH flag unfurl!!
Nice little Hinoki. I've not attempted growing these as the trunk to cost ratio is steep.
Have not seen anything worthwhile at any landscape nurseries. Of course, I put a self imposed 3 year suspension on those visits. I was outta' control!
Wind is definitely your enemy in the winter. Use the search feature here for more info on your tree like proper pruning, light requirements, general care......study, study....
Enjoy yourself....

Please note, no ban on "bonsai" nurseries....heheehee....
Ain't Vance's sick?!?!! 'Tis a beaut....

 

[LanceMac10]

Thank you for all the replies! My main concern was that it was TOO cold, so you guys put that to rest. I feel a lot more confident now that the tree should do fine in the shed. Maybe I will move it away from the window though. I may also try the snow trick, we'll be getting some this weekend according to the news!

As my name suggests, I live in NH. We've had a relatively mild winter up until a few weeks ago. It's starting to get colder now.

Vance Wood, that is a beautiful tree!

Thanks again everyone!

Salem, huh? That's right down the road a piece....
Check out Lake street Garden center? You can usually find some decent materials there.
Nothing spectacular, but if you poke around, you'll find something workable.

 

[Vance Wood]

My favorite places independant nurseries aka as Mom and Pop's nurseries. Because these businesses are not part of a chain and cannot afford to dump stock that does not sell they usually are forced to keep stock until it either sells or dies. You can usually find some interesting material in these nurseries.