I understand that people will start to bring their tropicals back outside once freezes are in the rear view mirror. I have mine under lights - it's like mid 80s in the grow tent and sunny 14 hours a day, so I am hesitant to just bring them out once temps are in the 50s. Will that shock the trees?
When to Bring Out Tropicals Under Lights
- Thread starter dbonsaiw
- Start date
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
You have awhile before your nighttime temps stay in the 50s and beyond. You should not have any problem with the transition, but you might want to dial it back to 12 hours. It may not make a difference but that is what I have been doing. Almost all my plants are kept at 10-12 hours lighting all winter except in my propagation room where they are kept at 14 hours.
I don't like shuffling trees inside and out, so I just wait until nighttime lows are close to 50 so I don't have to worry at all about frost/freeze. That is normally around the first week or two in May around here. I used to put them out in April, but it's just too much time/work to be moving them back inside when it gets too cold.
The trees never have problems going from warm tent to colder outdoor temps. The amount of extra light they get from the sun vs grow lights seems much more important than the temperature.
The trees never have problems going from warm tent to colder outdoor temps. The amount of extra light they get from the sun vs grow lights seems much more important than the temperature.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
I bring my tropicals outside any day that temps aren't going to drop below 40F.
And even on days that will have cold nights, I still put them outside for 12 hours or so in order to spray them down with a hose, let them drain, and bring them back indoors before it gets too cold. Today it is forecast to hit 59F, so even though it is only 46F outside right now, I am putting them outside as soon as I am done typing this
And even on days that will have cold nights, I still put them outside for 12 hours or so in order to spray them down with a hose, let them drain, and bring them back indoors before it gets too cold. Today it is forecast to hit 59F, so even though it is only 46F outside right now, I am putting them outside as soon as I am done typing this
Eckhoffw
Masterpiece
I have a hunch, but why spray them down?Do you treat them with anything?I bring my tropicals outside any day that temps aren't going to drop below 40F.
And even on days that will have cold nights, I still put them outside for 12 hours or so in order to spray them down with a hose, let them drain, and bring them back indoors before it gets too cold. Today it is forecast to hit 59F, so even though it is only 46F outside right now, I am putting them outside as soon as I am done typing this
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
I bring mine out in late May or early June when night temps will reliably be above 40 for ficus and 50 for Brazilian rain trees.
Otherwise they stay under their lights.
However mine are not in a tent so their temperatures aren't as high as where yours are. During the day they might see 75 degrees under their lights but at night it goes down to 65 or so
cmu268
Yamadori
I usually bring mine out for the season in mid-late May, that's generally when night temps are pretty reliably in the 50s around here. I hate having to do the shuffle so I try to wait until the risk of cold nights is gone
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
No I don't treat them with anything... knock on wood, I have never had a need to.
ForrestW
Mame
If I were home I would do more like Bonsai Nut-- but when I am home (weekends evenings) I will often bring them out and spray them down with the hose just for pest protections all winter long when the temps hit the 50's and I try and keep them outside when temps are 40+ at night (mostly 45 and up-- but if there is a span of warmer nights and one down around 41-40 I may let it go).. I have grow lights but have not tried the tent idea-- but I am pondering it for next season. I also only have 5 medium sized ones and 3 small tropicals.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Yea that's my philosophy too.
I don't dance bonsai around any more.
I just don't have the time and with my cold frame trees, I have too many.
They go out when I'm sure they will be ok.
I try to keep the bonsai dancing to a minimal. And with two wild growing 5 foot vachelias in the basement loaded with 2+ inch thorns, this is a dance I would prefer to do only twice a year (once in and once out).
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
Love these postings. I just have to figure things out continually because I have all total, a few hundred tropical and sub tropical plants. Of course many of these are not bonsai. This year I am doing a purge. I am eliminating 4 grow light areas in my house and will maintain the other 7 areas. I am just learning to throw away my prunings rather than making them cuttings. And I am getting rid of problem plants that have caused me issues.
I have to say that I have some tropical bonsai that do bring me joy all winter long, but it is a lot of work.
I have to say that I have some tropical bonsai that do bring me joy all winter long, but it is a lot of work.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Love it. This is the type of post I show my wife to convince her I'm being very normal in this whole bonsai pursuit.
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
I am cutting back. Ask my wife........................ Actually don't bring it up.Some?
You have a whole forest
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
Glad I could help. Do you get the old Eye Roll?
Russ1
Yamadori
Same here.
Yes and then she shows me her new shoes. And all is good.
Once in, once out for me. I have let my tropicals see some 40's the last couple of years and I think I have a lot less leaf drop once they're brought in. They go back out once it's consistently 50 or above at night. I don't have the massive amount @penumbra does but enough to make the shuffle a giant pain.
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