Outdoor Setup

[nurvbonsai]

Greetings,

I moved the trees to this pad to hopefully give them more sunlight during the winter. It didn’t seem to work that well on the balcony but now they are super exposed. I don’t really have any other options in this new place so any further tips would be appreciated.
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[nurvbonsai]

Before

 

[Dav4]

Greetings,

I moved the trees to this pad to hopefully give them more sunlight during the winter. It didn’t seem to work that well on the balcony but now they are super exposed. I don’t really have any other options in this new place so any further tips would be appreciated.
.

There's nothing wrong keeping them on a bench and in sunshine through the winter as long as temperatures aren't extreme. Once night/early am temps are south of 25 F, I'd want those pots on the ground and possibly mulched if temps were going to fall into the teens or stay well below freezing for a week.

 

[River's Edge]

Greetings,

I moved the trees to this pad to hopefully give them more sunlight during the winter. It didn’t seem to work that well on the balcony but now they are super exposed. I don’t really have any other options in this new place so any further tips would be appreciated.
.

The one thing you may consider is wind exposure. When they were on the balcony there was an easier option to shroud from the wind. On the bench they appear to have the same issue of being above ground as on the balcony. However they are likely more exposed to wind from all directions.

2.Have you considered using the porch railing as framework to provide extra protection with the addition of vapour barrier type plastic on a temporary basis. One advantage to the balcony is the compactness of how the plants can be grouped together and provide some protection.
How high off the ground is the balcony/porch? The balcony base may provide better insulation from the cooled than the benches.

3. Best case scenario would be on the ground beside the foundation and positioned to avoid too much wind.

4. You can always create a structure on the ground ( perhaps in front of what appears to be a dog run) , cover with plastic shroud to keep wind off but let some light in. Here is a phot of how I use a display bench to assist with over wintering. The trees are closer to the ground, beside a building foundation and protected from wind chill. Easy to lift and water or open to avoid over heating as required with temperature swings. You can always use two small benches and planks for a simple support. Here are a couple of photos for ideas.

 

[nurvbonsai]

I would have to investigate further but I did put this plastic cloth down.

 

[nurvbonsai]

This is 10:54am cst

 

[River's Edge]

This is 10:54am cst

Simple solution use the area underneath the porch/balcony close to the foundation for over wintering. looks like your trees will fit under there easily.

 

[nurvbonsai]

But no sunlight will penetrate?

Simple solution use the area underneath the porch/balcony close to the foundation for over wintering. looks like your trees will fit under there easily.

 

[River's Edge]

But no sunlight will penetrate?

Light will come in the sides. Dormant trees require very little light. Photosynthesis has shut down or slowed to a crawl. Are you under the misunderstanding that lots of light is needed?

 

[nurvbonsai]

Light will come in the sides. Dormant trees require very little light. Photosynthesis has shut down or slowed to a crawl. Are you under the misunderstanding that lots of light is needed?

I understood that they are dormant but I was unaware that they required little to no light.

 

[nurvbonsai]

It’s going to be 15 degrees on Sunday and Monday of next week so I can move them under the balcony this weekend.

I understood that they are dormant but I was unaware that they required little to no light.

 

[nurvbonsai]

Light will come in the sides. Dormant trees require very little light. Photosynthesis has shut down or slowed to a crawl. Are you under the misunderstanding that lots of light is needed?

Sunday and Monday look a little rough.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I understood that they are dormant but I was unaware that they required little to no light.

Dormant deciduous trees do not any light. Think about how many seedlings / saplings spend a good portion of each winter buried under several feet of snow. I used to overwinter deciduous trees in an unlighted garage in Chicago. You just need to be careful it doesn't get too warm. I would leave snowballs on the soil surface so if temps got above freezing the snow would melt into the soil.

Generally speaking conifers and broadleaf evergreens (hollies, boxwoods, etc) need much less protection, and can still photosynthesize in the winter, albeit at a greatly reduced rate. However "can" photosynthesize and "do" photosynthesize is based a lot on temperature. If temps are in the low 40's to low 30's you may see your junipers and pines remaining a bright green color, but when temps start to drop into the low 20's you will see your conifers close up their stomata and turn a grey-green or even purple or brownish color. This is a sign that they have shut down all photosynthesis until warmer weather returns.