Winter's Dance

[Paradox]

Open the garage in the evening to cool things off - I've done that over the last few years which works well.

I've thought of that but I don't want rodents or other wildlife getting in. We keep our dog food out there.

 

[GrimLore]

I've thought of that but I don't want rodents or other wildlife getting in. We keep our dog food out there.

Consider a ShelterLogic Greenhouse unit - portable and good quality. It also gives you the option of opening a rear or front screen and some models also have screened side lower flaps. If you get one online from Home Depot they ship them FREE. Reason I suggest it it is easy, not huge expensive, can be moved as a tent, and rather then "dance" you can controls the temperature easily during your daily check on the plants.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...keyword=shelterlogic+greenhouse&storeId=10051

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Not dancing here in Balmy B'ham today...let it snow!

 

[Poink88]

Brian, Love the fluted base on pic #2.

 

[jkd2572]

Your famous hawthorn, at least to me, still has green leaves. I'm mad at you though. I thought you said you put your trees under the benches and mulch them in with pine straw.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Your famous hawthorn, at least to me, still has green leaves. I'm mad at you though. I thought you said you put your trees under the benches and mulch them in with pine straw.

Still will...if it gets cold enough...

 

[davetree]

How often do you get snow in B'ham ? We are gettin the coldest weather in five years next week.

 

[GrimLore]

Still will...if it gets cold enough...

That is just gorgeous thank you for sharing We let all of our plants up here have that experience a few times a Winter and it is refreshing to see others do not "worry"

 

[Nybonsai12]

Consider a ShelterLogic Greenhouse unit - portable and good quality. It also gives you the option of opening a rear or front screen and some models also have screened side lower flaps. If you get one online from Home Depot they ship them FREE. Reason I suggest it it is easy, not huge expensive, can be moved as a tent, and rather then "dance" you can controls the temperature easily during your daily check on the plants.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...keyword=shelterlogic+greenhouse&storeId=10051

Do you own one of these? If so can you tell me what you are using to control the temperature, meaning what heating apparatus are you using to keep the temps inside up when it gets dangerously cold for your trees?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

How often do you get snow in B'ham ? We are gettin the coldest weather in five years next week.

Annual snowfall average is 1" a year here. We get one or two of these a year, and it's gone in a day. Think this is the first snow since December '10.

 

[cmeg1]

Do you own one of these? If so can you tell me what you are using to control the temperature, meaning what heating apparatus are you using to keep the temps inside up when it gets dangerously cold for your trees?

Have not looked at the greenhouse yet,but you can use flourescent lights(i have read) for added warmth.Low intensity lighting

 

[cmeg1]

I prefer small bonsai and even with them the dance can get annoying.Until we get a solid week of about 40 during the day I do a bit of back and forth to my deep cold frame.Only with the evergreens.Mine have been in the coldframe in darkness at about 38 degrees for a month now.Even if it get's 60 degrees peak at day outside ,my coldframe did not go above 40 and they stayed in the darkness,I imagine they be there to spring cause' I erred on the side of moister with the water when I put them away.I say it every winter.I am so glad I built them in deep shade where the ground stays frosted.

 

[amkhalid]

Winter is break time for me. Heel the trees in in November - December and forget about them until March-April. Don't even have to water. I consider it a gift that allows me to wean off, and then approach bonsai with renewed enthusiasm every spring. Springtime is dancing time.

We experience -15 or -20 celsius around here a few times each year (around 0 F). Everything freezes solid, buried or not. Hasn't been an issue in 8 years, although I feel more comfortable when the trees are covered in deep fluffy snow. I might be concerned about japanese maples or tridents but I don't grow those as they need special treatment around here.

 

[Jason]

Annual snowfall average is 1" a year here. We get one or two of these a year, and it's gone in a day. Think this is the first snow since December '10.

So you have what my uncle used to call "cute" snow. Not the "break out the industrial sized snowplow" stuff you have in northern MN or Buffalo, NY?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

So you have what my uncle used to call "cute" snow. Not the "break out the industrial sized snowplow" stuff you have in northern MN or Buffalo, NY?

Exactly, cute = gone in 24 hours: 53 and sunny tomorrow. We happily left our snowblower in IA!

 

[GrimLore]

A few of you have asked what I use to heat plant shelters. The answer there is nothing. All of the potted trees I keep in them are meant to be "wintered". Shelters allow us to protect them from hail, wet heavy snow and high winds. They more often require to be opened up to keep them colder. For example we have 15 Bald Cypress saplings that ranged from 14 -24 inches in height. We left 8 in the ground and 3 of them have been "topped" by nature. The balance were potted, sheltered and remain intact.
All of our tropicals and accents come indoors for the Winter here as we have the room and no need to heat another structure.