RECLAIMEDBARNWOOD
Yamadori
I've now heard both answers more than once. Do evergreens and conifers need light in dormancy? I've heard below 40 degrees is when they go dorment. Anybody know
Is sunlight needed in winter?
- Thread starter RECLAIMEDBARNWOOD
- Start date
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
From what I've heard, they do need light still since they still have foliage.
RECLAIMEDBARNWOOD
Yamadori
That's what I thought but I've also heard that the pines in the mountains are under snow for months during winter without seeing the sun and evergreens don't store enough energy to regrow all there foliage at once in the spring
davetree
Omono
No they don't. Many people I know ( myself included ) winter evergreens in darkness and have done so for years with no apparent ill effects. Keeping them below 40 degrees is important.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
I keep mine in a garage, with only one window at the opposite end from where my trees are.
So its pretty dark in there most of the time. So far, they dont seem to have a problem with it.
I have a bigger problem with the below 40 degrees and have had to open the door for a few hours a day to cool it off.
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
Mine do best mulched in on the shade side of the house outdoors. The weather here is often warmer then 40 during the Winter but it seems the lack of light keeps them dormant. I just do it that way because it works for me and is quite simple.
Grimmy
Grimmy
RECLAIMEDBARNWOOD
Yamadori
I've got them on the garage floor and there is a window but no chance of any direct light. Thanks and I'm checking for moisture and have only watered once since I've moved them in. Might give each one a snowball today.
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
No light isn't needed, and is unwanted if you are trying to keep something dormant. Here is a link to a thread that discusses this topic, and if you read into the thread a bit William Valavanis gives good explanations and answers.
http://bonsaistudygroup.com/general-discussion/greenhouse-pictures/
http://bonsaistudygroup.com/general-discussion/greenhouse-pictures/
fore
Omono
I've come a way Judy lol I tried cardboard boxes as 'insulation' ea. yr. since posting that. This yr. I spent $90 on 1.5-2" insulation board this yr. and FINALLY, I can keep it inside a constant temp. now. Well worth the money. Much darker in there now
All my trees, which are nearly all native larch, white cedar, honeysuckle, pondos, junipers etc., are stashed in a essentially unlit storage facility. I has one window for ventilation for a 12'x30' area, so there is a bit of light. Keeping it cold as late as possible in the spring is my challenge. Right now its in the high twenties in there. I find loading water into the sand floor in the fall before the trees goes in helps keep things humid during the winter--dry storage is bad for twigs in my experience. I have been storing trees like this for many years.
cmeg1
Imperial Masterpiece
I kept mine in dark as long as below 36 degrees or so( essentially 40)with no ill effect when I used to grow pine.My pines book said that is just fine.If it gets above 40 they need light and will only be stressed
My understanding is dormancy comes in phases and starts around fifty degrees--it is also no doubt coupled with day length changes. Once this temp is sustained the tree increasingly shuts down systems. Hagedorn has a little drone on this on his WS. Also Dave De Groot, as he has worked on the Weyerhaeuser collection in zone 9 told me he noted that for dormancy reliant plants like larch that a sustained 50 degree shot with deeper lows is all that has been need to bring on dormancy and satisfy dormancy requirements.
Personally I have noted that despite lows in the 50,s, fall root growth will often go on with some of my trees, as long as we have warmer daytime temps and sunshine.
GO-OK
Mame
I keep my pines in the garage from December until mother nature says to let them out.....
Temps are around 40f on average, sometimes a tad more sometimes a bit lower.
Cold and dark dark dark! Air circulation and fungicide is also important.
Temps are around 40f on average, sometimes a tad more sometimes a bit lower.
Cold and dark dark dark! Air circulation and fungicide is also important.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
They do not need sunlight. In Chicago, I would overwinter my trees inside an unheated garage. They never showed the slightest ill effects. Just need to make sure they don't dry out - winter air can be very dry.
ChristianDGreat
Shohin
Woah this thread help me answer the question i have.
Since sun shifted and some part of my garden doesnt get sun anymore. I was thinking putting those trees so they can still see the sun. Looks like i dont need to do that.
Since sun shifted and some part of my garden doesnt get sun anymore. I was thinking putting those trees so they can still see the sun. Looks like i dont need to do that.
