Acclimating to new climate

[Sarsonator]

I have a prunus mume shipping from CA to PA. Temps here are getting down to 5-10 F overnight and I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on where to keep the tree until spring. Here are my best options:

- detached, unheated garage: temps are a little higher than outdoors, one large window
- creepy basement: unfinished, was 56 degrees when I checked this evening, but I don't know exactly how cold it gets overnight
- yard: could build a burlap lean to against the garage door

Any thoughts? Thanks so much!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I have a prunus mume shipping from CA to PA. Temps here are getting down to 5-10 F overnight and I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on where to keep the tree until spring. Here are my best options:

- detached, unheated garage: temps are a little higher than outdoors, one large window
- creepy basement: unfinished, was 56 degrees when I checked this evening, but I don't know exactly how cold it gets overnight
- yard: could build a burlap lean to against the garage door

Any thoughts? Thanks so much!

Where in California? Southern Cal might already be popping buds, but Northern will still be in deep slumber. California is as long as Jacksonville FLA to Philadelphia, PA

 

[Nybonsai12]

I'm no expert in mume but I think they require some more protection if already moving. Depending on how active the tree is in Cali will give more insight into how you need to care. Here is some info on how hard freezes can impact them.
http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/prunus.htm

Maybe seller could hold for you til no chance of freezing?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I guess what we are trying to say in a nutshell is "be the plant". Try to match the conditions where it was shipped from as closely as possible until Spring, at which time it can bud and get strong and adapt to the environment. If it is from Southern Cal, you will need to protect it. If it is from Central Cal, it may do best in the garage.

 

[edprocoat]

Geez I would be worried about shipping it to Pa. with the weather you guys are having there, unless it was sent from the mountains in California. I hope it has some kind of protection like maybe a heat pack as you might guess most shipping companies are not very careful and I doubt any would keep it heated. I know that most Bonsai sellers usually state they will ship only when the weather is proper or use heat packs while others offer to keep it until its best time to ship. Good luck with it !

ed

 

[Sarsonator]

Thanks for the replies all. Here's some more info:

The nursery is in Lakewood, CA, which seems to be getting into the 50s F at night, and up into the 70s F during the day.

My area of PA is getting some cold weather, but I'm in the city in a nice little pocket that stays a bit warmer than the surrounding areas, for what it's worth.

I made an impulse buy (my bad) and then contacted the seller to discuss the shipping, since I also thought that it may be best to wait. I've had no reply so far. It looks like a shipping label was created, but it doesn't seem that the tree has shipped, so I found a direct email on their website this morning and sent my questions there. Again, my fault for breaking my own rule which is - ask BEFORE you buy.

I guess at this point, I am trying to plan for the worst case scenario, which is that they don't contact me back and just ship the tree.

 

[dick benbow]

Here's what I would do.

Build a box the depth you anticipate the nursery pot size and strategically loop heating coils along the bottom. Make the box double to triple the size of the nursery pot width/volumn wise. Next have some moistened pummice standing by, so When the tree comes
you can put a small layer over the coils, then set the nursery pot down and fill up around it with the pummice.

This protects the vulerable roots and keeps them active while allowing the tree above the soil line to adjust to the new influences of colder temperatures.

hope this helps.

.

 

[dick benbow]

I know some will say, sure! a heating pad, why didn't i think of that!

and the answer is it takes more than heat, the moisture in the pummice contributes and protects and heats the side of the pot as opposed to just putting heat on the very bottom.

How do you spell Kapish? LOL

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Among your options, mulching it inside your garage is probably the wisest if it hasn't started to break dormancy. The problem will be keeping it dormant, and shortening the gap between when it wakes up and when it's safe to put outside.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Wishing you good luck. I would be nervous taking it now...are they shipping with a heat pack? Good luck prepping and preparing. I am not saying it can't be done...I received a wisteria in the late fall. It came from California originally where the bonsai nursery purchased it...the nursery guy stated to keep it indoors for the remainder of the winter until I could set it out...and let it adjust next winter and it would be find outside protected. Though it's not the same tree as your having arrive. I know nothing of your variety.* note the snow outside the window.

 

[Vance Wood]

When you get the tree it will need to go into shelter unless it is pushing growth, in which case it will need protection as well just a different kind. If the tree is pushing growth you need to get the tree into a location that does not get below freezing, where ever that might be. If the tree is dormant still; put the tree in a box and mulch around the sides and place the tree in a shed or garage where it does not heat up anymore that it already has. Under the circumstances there is a chance you may lose this tree anyway.

 

[Dav4]

Thanks for the replies all. Here's some more info:

The nursery is in Lakewood, CA, which seems to be getting into the 50s F at night, and up into the 70s F during the day.

My area of PA is getting some cold weather, but I'm in the city in a nice little pocket that stays a bit warmer than the surrounding areas, for what it's worth.

I made an impulse buy (my bad) and then contacted the seller to discuss the shipping, since I also thought that it may be best to wait. I've had no reply so far. It looks like a shipping label was created, but it doesn't seem that the tree has shipped, so I found a direct email on their website this morning and sent my questions there. Again, my fault for breaking my own rule which is - ask BEFORE you buy.

I guess at this point, I am trying to plan for the worst case scenario, which is that they don't contact me back and just ship the tree.

Most reputable merchants will work with you when the chance for sub freezing temps exist during transit. If the tree is truly dormant, it would be fine, but I suspect it's probably already broken dormancy, based on where the tree is living right now. I'd keep trying to contact the merchant to see if the tree can be shipped later this spring.

 

[Sarsonator]

Cadillactaste - that tree is gorgeous!

Everyone - thanks for the continued suggestions. It sounds like my course of action is still TBD. I really hope the seller gets back to me today, since I found their direct email address and sent my questions. I am at work, but I also found their phone number, so I can call them when I get out if I still haven't received a reply. The time zone difference would work in my favor since they are likely to still be around when I leave work.

If they don't get back to me and just ship the tree, it sounds like I will need to have a look at it to determine if it has broken dormancy to determine how to proceed.

 

[Vance Wood]

Cadillactaste - that tree is gorgeous!

Everyone - thanks for the continued suggestions. It sounds like my course of action is still TBD. I really hope the seller gets back to me today, since I found their direct email address and sent my questions. I am at work, but I also found their phone number, so I can call them when I get out if I still haven't received a reply. The time zone difference would work in my favor since they are likely to still be around when I leave work.

If they don't get back to me and just ship the tree, it sounds like I will need to have a look at it to determine if it has broken dormancy to determine how to proceed.

It is always easier and more efficient to talk to the source. Texting and all that other stuff is good for keeping record of commitments but to get things right there is nothing better than word to word.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Cadillactaste - that tree is gorgeous!

Everyone - thanks for the continued suggestions. It sounds like my course of action is still TBD. I really hope the seller gets back to me today, since I found their direct email address and sent my questions. I am at work, but I also found their phone number, so I can call them when I get out if I still haven't received a reply. The time zone difference would work in my favor since they are likely to still be around when I leave work.

If they don't get back to me and just ship the tree, it sounds like I will need to have a look at it to determine if it has broken dormancy to determine how to proceed.

Thanks...Adair a member here gave me the heads up on the wisteria...can't thank him enough.

I agree with Vance...a phone call gets you peace of mind.

 

[pbethune]

Wisteria

Wishing you good luck. I would be nervous taking it now...are they shipping with a heat pack? Good luck prepping and preparing. I am not saying it can't be done...I received a wisteria in the late fall. It came from California originally where the bonsai nursery purchased it...the nursery guy stated to keep it indoors for the remainder of the winter until I could set it out...and let it adjust next winter and it would be find outside protected. Though it's not the same tree as your having arrive. I know nothing of your variety.* note the snow outside the window.

Hello,
I dug up some wisteria in the late fall and it started to grow but as soon as the cold weather came, I placed them in a green house (not heated). It is my first time with Wisteria, will they survive our Southern NJ weather? Although it is cold this week, about 9 degrees at night, I was wondering what the success rate is.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Hello,
I dug up some wisteria in the late fall and it started to grow but as soon as the cold weather came, I placed them in a green house (not heated). It is my first time with Wisteria, will they survive our Southern NJ weather? Although it is cold this week, about 9 degrees at night, I was wondering what the success rate is.

I'm still relatively new to this as well...but, I would imagine since it started to grow that it took the transplant to a pot well. I would think protecting in an outbuilding a good thing. As long as your watering it along the way. Even though it's winter it will still need watered. I go in my building once a week to water.

Edit...if the substrate frozen I add snow to the pots if we have it.

 

[jeanluc83]

You are near Nature's Way Bonsai. If the tree ends up being sent before you can contact them I would seek help from Nature's Way. It is likely that they could provide the required protection (for a fee) until it can be moved outside.

This would depend on how much you have invested in the tree. Many nursery will offer winter care for a monthly fee. At New England Bonsai I think it is about $20 / month. For a $25 tree this probably isn't worth it. For a $100 tree it might be.

Good luck.

 

[Sarsonator]

Well, the bad news is: the ume was already shipped before I got any reply from the seller. It's actually out for delivery NOW, and luckily I have someone home today who can get the tree for me.

The good news is that I did hear back from the seller, and they made it sound like they commonly shipped these in winter, so maybe things will be ok.

I will take a look at the tree and see what's what. If it is dormant, I think I can work with that. If it's broken dormancy... I don't really know what else I could do but keep it indoors, in a cooler area, with a lamp until temps will stay warm enough overnight to move it outside.

I'll definitely check with Nature's Way after I check out the state of the tree and see if they have any suggestions. Thank you all for your ideas. It wasn't an expensive tree, so if things don't work out, it's just a lesson learned. But fingers crossed anyway!

 

[Sarsonator]

An update:

The tree was dormant on arrival, as in no leaf activity. Most of the flowers were gone, but there was actually one that still looked quite lovely, as well as 3 unopened buds.

Last night at dinner, I had a little revelation. My basement seemed too warm, and I worried that the unheated garage might be too cold. BUT I have those sloped gray cellar doors on the outside of the house. Those lead to a short staircase and then another heavy door that goes into the basement itself. And on those stairs, the temp last evening around 10PM was about 41 degrees. So this is where I put the tree. This morning at 6:30AM, it was 37 degrees.

The tree is sheltered from the wind, and I think this area will be cool enough to keep it dormant til spring. I'll check it daily for watering and temp go from there. Hopefully things will work out. I'll post an update/outcome in the future.