Winter Boredom: What's the Cure??

[amcoffeegirl]

Tropical trees are the cure.

 

[atlarsenal]

You raise a great question which leads me to ask, what do bonsai clubs do during the winter months to keep members engaged?

At mine which is a study group at:

bonsai-garden - Smith-Gilbert Gardens

smithgilbertgardens.com

We put trees in winter protection in November. We don’t meet in December. And start repotting in January.

 

[coh]

I've come to appreciate "winter boredom" with respect to bonsai. When I started I got a whole bunch of tropicals, figuring that would give me something to do during the winter. Turns out that under my conditions at least, they really don't grow enough to do much with them. So, I've been reducing the collection and instead focusing on other things during winter, such as reading, organizing photos and notes that accumulate during the summer, planning for the spring rush, watching videos...you're only bored if you want to be.

 

[Tentakelaertje]

Enjoy the scenery and build up excitement. If you have a lot of trees you are gonna need that energy in the repotting season.

 

[MalcolmMc]

I was in the exact same scenario last winter.

Tropicals are great because it opens up tons of new species to play around with and so many more things to learn. Which also leads to more reading. Caring for trees indoors is not the same as native trees outdoors.

 

[penumbra]

I have more tropical bonsai than ever before and a large succulent collection. Plus lots of things to propagate.
And make lots of bonsai pots.

 

[Warpig]

At mine which is a study group at:

bonsai-garden - Smith-Gilbert Gardens

smithgilbertgardens.com

We put trees in winter protection in November. We don’t meet in December. And start repotting in January.

Same here.

 

[Warpig]

And make lots of bonsai pots.

I didn't know you made pots aswell. Ever sell any?

 

[Yosemite Goat]

Build a greenhouse

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Im experimenting with hydroponic vertical gardening this winter... want to be able to grow lettuce and kale and others inside since my wife and i eat a lot of salads for our lunches at work.

Read, ski, play music...

I also want to start working out more.

 

[plant_dr]

If the weather isn't too bad outside you can go out in the woods to scout material for collecting in spring. You can spend time finding out who owns that property to get permission to collect there, etc. Maybe get permission to wander out there first if it's private property! Getting shot would put a damper on things!

Grow tropicals, watch videos, read, study, just like everyone else had said...

 

[Potawatomi13]

Sex, catch up on Mirai videos, hours online but mostly SPRING!

 

[TyroTinker]

Where are you at in eastern Washington? Do you live near some civilization or closer to the vast farmland areas that cover most of that side of our state? It might affect what you can do during those cold winters you get

 

[leatherback]

If you have a space to keep trees above fully freezin, you can wire juniper, larch, pine etc during the winter months. Just need to protect them from deep frosts afterwards. And of course you can do deadwood work. But maybe you need a few not-so-little trees?

 

[Starfox]

Winter, what's that?

I upgrade to pants and socks and hope for no frost. Bitch about being cold and research warmer climates to move to.

 

[BobbyLane]

Deciduous trees are at their best in the winter months, thats when i'll be wiring mine... I like taking images of my deciduous trees over the winter, i enjoy my trees throughout the seasons, i dont tuck them away.
I do a little carving over the winter too. ive got some Yew trees that might get some styling work

 

[leatherback]

Deciduous trees are at their best in the winter months, thats when i'll be wiring mine... I like taking images of my deciduous trees over the winter, i enjoy my trees throughout the seasons, i dont tuck them away.
I do a little carving over the winter too. ive got some Yew trees that might get some styling work
View attachment 266367

Would recommend wiring in winter if you would get -20f for weeks?

 

[Anthony]

Winter - hmm - well all the trees rest from around Christmas until
February.

So, if not too cold, 66's once in a while , repot.

Otherwise , water, weed, read, read, read , do. do. do................................
Shore fish with a 1 to 4 lb line.
Rod or hand caster.

Build and paint walls.
Keep very busy.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Anthony]

You guys and your - Tropicals.
Hah - Sub-Tropicals and Warm Remperates.
Forcing them to grow when they should be rested.
Slurred zones and fantasies

 

[Colorado]