Mt Goat
Seedling
Hi. Thanks to everyone for the responses to my Port Afra questions.
I have also purchased a bougainvillea pre-bonsai. And while I think I have a long term plan for the tree, I have some questions about the winter. I live in PA (zone 6) and will keep it outdoors when it is hot and sunny and bring it inside when it cools down. I have read that I should keep the tree between 50-60F over the winter. I can do this in my basement with grow lights (that’s my plan) but here come the questions:
(1) What is the benefit of the “low” 50-60f temp and is this required or just beneficial? What does this help achieve? What happens if I leave the plant in the main home at 70f all winter?
(2) Do I still give the plant light over the winter? Or Is this low temp going to induce dormancy? Generally speaking will the plant keep its leaves through the winter (Hence the need for lights)? Will it actually grow or just hang out?
(3) THE REAL QUESTION (relevant to this year): So I just got this thing in the mail about a month ago. It lost all of its leaves in the box. I over-potted it in traditions bonsai soil mix, put it in a south facing window, and gave it supplemental LED light all day long. I have gone Light on the water (so far). After a month It looks good, little buds seems to be getting bigger. But it is butt naked. No leaves. So should I keep this tree up in the 70f home with better light until it gains back some leaves? Skip the basement this year? Or do I put it in the 55F basement right now? And do I give it light in the basement? And if so should I expect growth?
I am essentially concerned about following the recommendations I have read of the internet when my guy actually needs something a little different because he just went through the USPS and is still pissed off about it.
thanks!
I have also purchased a bougainvillea pre-bonsai. And while I think I have a long term plan for the tree, I have some questions about the winter. I live in PA (zone 6) and will keep it outdoors when it is hot and sunny and bring it inside when it cools down. I have read that I should keep the tree between 50-60F over the winter. I can do this in my basement with grow lights (that’s my plan) but here come the questions:
(1) What is the benefit of the “low” 50-60f temp and is this required or just beneficial? What does this help achieve? What happens if I leave the plant in the main home at 70f all winter?
(2) Do I still give the plant light over the winter? Or Is this low temp going to induce dormancy? Generally speaking will the plant keep its leaves through the winter (Hence the need for lights)? Will it actually grow or just hang out?
(3) THE REAL QUESTION (relevant to this year): So I just got this thing in the mail about a month ago. It lost all of its leaves in the box. I over-potted it in traditions bonsai soil mix, put it in a south facing window, and gave it supplemental LED light all day long. I have gone Light on the water (so far). After a month It looks good, little buds seems to be getting bigger. But it is butt naked. No leaves. So should I keep this tree up in the 70f home with better light until it gains back some leaves? Skip the basement this year? Or do I put it in the 55F basement right now? And do I give it light in the basement? And if so should I expect growth?
I am essentially concerned about following the recommendations I have read of the internet when my guy actually needs something a little different because he just went through the USPS and is still pissed off about it.
thanks!
(Only reaches 16 degrees above the horizon). No direct sun hits the plants for all but the brightest hour of the day these weeks
