Refresh my memory...frozen substrate doesn't need watered...correct

Cadillactaste

Cadillactaste

Neagari Gal
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Okay...substrate froze...chopsticks frozen in pots...but my trees still in nursery mulch mix one seems not frozen on top...I took a few pitchers of snow and stuck on top of the pot. It's my hemlock. (They are in there winter enclosure) not sure if it might be frozen deeper down. So I did the snow trick I've read others do...should that be okay or should have I watered?
 
You should be fine. You just don't want the soil to become freeze-dried. If you put snow on top, it is a nice way to time release moisture into the soil.
 
Vin said:
The last time I was able to do that down here was 1989 :p
Click to expand...

Way back when I was young and attractive, I lived in Chicago. I used to overwinter my bonsai in an unheated garage. I used to put snowballs on each pot. It was a great way to instantly tell if they needed more moisture :)
 
Bonsai Nut said:
You should be fine. You just don't want the soil to become freeze-dried. If you put snow on top, it is a nice way to time release moisture into the soil.
Click to expand...

Ahhh didn't think of that. Only put snow on a few...will have to go back out and add to the rest. You make a fine point.
 
I think adding snow to frozen trees is a very good practice, like mentioned, the snow is there and ready if it gets melty. I have notice that snow disappears even when it is significantly below 32, if it is dry in my storage facility. I don't know the science behind it, but it seems to evaporate somehow.
 
crust said:
I think adding snow to frozen trees is a very good practice, like mentioned, the snow is there and ready if it gets melty. I have notice that snow disappears even when it is significantly below 32, if it is dry in my storage facility. I don't know the science behind it, but it seems to evaporate somehow.
Click to expand...

Snow is the way to go!! I did this whenever snow was available when I lived in MA.

Crust, the answer to your question about disappearing snow can be found here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublimation_(chemistry)
 
Okay...note to self...FIND YOUR GLOVES!!! My hands are numb...but my trees are happily snowed in now...all of them. Not that I have many. Lol just 8 of them. But the arctic air is frigid...

My son (the oldest) told me...I told you not to get so many of those bonsai. :rolleyes: I had to laugh...if he only knew what others had in their "collection".
 
Vin said:
The last time I was able to do that down here was 1989 :p
Click to expand...

That's a good year...the year I graduated! (Some may read that and think...old lady lol...while others will think youngen! :D )

Crazy...I could never live where it didn't snow. Though I understand why ones do.
 
Prior to this week I was putting ice cubes on my soil to allow a time release of moisture. Now Mother Nature did the job for me :cool:
 
It was a brisk -5 degrees on my bike ride to work!! Anything over 20 degrees? Out comes the Mankini!!
 
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