Gabler
Masterpiece
On the bonsai workbench:
On the ground:
On the ground:
Why You Should Put Your Trees on the Ground
- Thread starter Gabler
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Gabler
Masterpiece
That was at about 8:30 this morning.
RJG2
Omono
On the ground and mulched:
The "bonsai temperature" probe is in the substrate of an Acer p. The "outside temperature" is actually a bit high - it's just coming from a weather service, and I know it was lower than 12 last night (local weather service said 7°F). I have another sensor on the way to be more accurate.
The "bonsai temperature" probe is in the substrate of an Acer p. The "outside temperature" is actually a bit high - it's just coming from a weather service, and I know it was lower than 12 last night (local weather service said 7°F). I have another sensor on the way to be more accurate.
James W.
Chumono
I keep mine on the ground and mulched in summer and in winter for exactly that reason. Just make sure the pots can still drain.
flyovercountry
Seed
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We are getting about a week of 2*F (-16C) to 20*F (-6C). I have 2 raised garden beds. Is it ok to wrap the pots with landscape fabric (instead of burlap) and heel in with the bed soil?
This would only be for bigger Junipers/Pines. The Shohin and deciduous I have pulled into the Garage. Thanks!
This would only be for bigger Junipers/Pines. The Shohin and deciduous I have pulled into the Garage. Thanks!
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
At those temps, all my trees would be in the garage for a few days. You could heel them in, but I don’t know that I would bother wrapping the pots unless you were concerned that fines would get into the soil.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
I'm keeping a close eye on the temps here in NC. I add the daytime highs and nighttime lows together to make up a "cold stress" number. Normal at this time of year it is 82 (51 high / 31 low). What I consider a hard freeze is anything below 64 ( average temps at or below freeze) - and my trees are all on the ground at the minimum. Anything 50 or lower, and most of my trees will be moved into an unheated garage.
Using this "cold stress" method, my forecast for the next week is: Today 72, Sat 60, Sun 75, Mon 74, Tues 63, Wed 57, Thu 49(!). So the trees may be going into the garage on Tuesday day. Again, this is within the context for my "average" being 82 at this time of year.
FWIW ambient temp in my unheated garage is somewhere in the high 40's/low 50's.
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Michael P
Omono
This is a very useful rule of thumb!
Gabler
Masterpiece
Where are you? What is your zone? I'm in zone 7, where it's normal for temperatures to drop as low as 0°F. I grow only trees hardy to zone 6 or colder, because bonsai supposedly lose a zone of hardiness in containers. If the roots are at or below ground level (i.e. heeled in), then I have no reason to worry about temperatures as low as 0°F. If the temperatures dropped to -10°F, then I'd be concerned about my zone 6 trees, which might suffer some twig and root damage.
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
This is the first time in many years that all of my bonsai are off the benches and on the ground or in my coldframes.
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
What if I want my trees to be cold?!
I keep mine where they are.
If temps decide to drop below -15°C, I might reconsider.
But then they would be frozen to the benches. Best I can do is stay indoors and have a cup of tea.
I keep mine where they are.
If temps decide to drop below -15°C, I might reconsider.
But then they would be frozen to the benches. Best I can do is stay indoors and have a cup of tea.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Mind you, I'm not talking about ALL my trees. For example, there isn't a conifer that I own that I'm worried about. However my deciduous, and Mediterranean species like olives and cork oaks, are getting some love
Tieball
Masterpiece
My trees….On the ground with just a 36” windshield on the sides, open on the top, no mulch, has worked every winter for me. I have not lost or had damage to any tree. The trees sit on top of the ground starting in late October, left for whatever winter brings, and I don’t touch them until the end of March. Winter snow and constant chill is perfect.
tanlu
Shohin
I've been wintering my trees on the ground protected by leaves/straw and snow (not always plentiful in zone 7) for many years and in a range of conditions. The main reason I place them in elevated growing locations, like ledges and steps (I've never had enough space to install growing tables) is for easier access and appreciation during the growing season. Theoretically, vermin could've made their homes in those pots while they're on the ground, but it hasn't happened yet. I noticed my JWP (on their own roots) in particular greatly appreciate being on the ground because they like the moisture regulating nature of the soil beneath them. I've let those JWP stay on the ground well into late spring until the sun gets too strong for their roots. Now that their in terra cotta pots, I'm wondering whether it would be okay to keep them on the ground for an extended period of time since terra cotta keeps roots cool even under hot sun. I've been following threads here trying to learn from what's worked for others, so I appreciate this thread!
leatherback
The Treedeemer
these get a few nights of light frost. Anything below 26 or so, and they go into the garage.
