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| Winter preparation http://weetrees.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17075 |
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| Author: | Bish [ 31 Oct 2017, 11:39 ] |
| Post subject: | Winter preparation |
Hello all, I bought my first bonsai about a year ago, which has now turned into 6 trees. As they are all fairly small trees I have not tampered with them over the summer and just let them grow (just kept them watered and fed). I have 2 CE, 2 white pine, a trident maple and a blue cypress. My first question is what food do you use over winter. I have read that you need to use food with little or no nitrogen? Also my CE started out as 'indoor' trees. They were kept mainly in an unheated veranda. My other trees were all outside but brought into the veranda if it got really cold. Since the spring I have left my CE outside as I would rather do that. They have both started to drop leaves now, which could just be from being outside now it's getting colder. I have room in my veranda to bring all of my trees in so thought perhaps I might bring them in if gets much below freezing. Is there any harm in this? The veranda is unheated so drops to a few degrees on the really cold nights. Lastly, one of my pines was pretty much completely wired when I bought it at the start of the year. The wire is quite tight, but then it does seem to be holding most of the tree in place. I was thinking of cutting off some of the tight wire, and if doesn't hold re-wire it again. I am inexperienced so don't want to just cut all of the wire off at once and spoil the shape. Sorry for the bombardment of questions. Thanks Bish |
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| Author: | TomB [ 31 Oct 2017, 12:12 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter preparation |
Don't fertilise during winter; trees only need it during periods of active growth. If your CEs have been left out all year then leave them out there; I would only bring them into your veranda if temperatures drop below freezing for several days. The trident I would be more careful with - bring it into shelter once temperatures drop below zero. The pine won't be growing much over the winter, so unless the wire is cutting in you can just leave it. You may hear some myths about wire making trees colder - ignore them. Try to avoid the white pines staying too wet over the winter - cold is not a problem, but try to keep the rain off if you can. |
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| Author: | Nigel Croome [ 31 Oct 2017, 12:19 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter preparation |
Hi Bish You can keep all of your trees outside for all of the Winter with no problems. Your CE's, JWP's will take -10 degrees C as long as it's not for a long period of time, as for your Trident the roots can struggle with prolonged minus temperatures so give it some protection as for the Blue Cypress not to sure but if it's a Chamaecypress Boulaevard (not sure on my spelling with the last one) that will take a minus figure as well but may need some protection. Hope this is of help. Cheers Nigel. |
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| Author: | Bish [ 31 Oct 2017, 13:05 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter preparation |
Hi Tom and Nigel. Thanks for your comprehensive answers. Sounds like my little trees are tougher than i've given them credit for! |
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| Author: | Gary Jones [ 31 Oct 2017, 13:36 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter preparation |
You described the wire as quite tight. As the pine has had all season to grow, it might well be cutting in now. I'd want to remove the wire carefully from one branch to see if that's the case. If it is, the shape is probably already set and the wire can be removed. If not and it loses shape you can just rewire that branch. |
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| Author: | Bish [ 31 Oct 2017, 14:05 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter preparation |
Gary Jones wrote: You described the wire as quite tight. As the pine has had all season to grow, it might well be cutting in now. I'd want to remove the wire carefully from one branch to see if that's the case. If it is, the shape is probably already set and the wire can be removed. If not and it loses shape you can just rewire that branch. Thanks Gary |
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| Author: | keithmart [ 31 Oct 2017, 14:19 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter preparation |
Hi The most important thing regarding winter care is to keep trees sheltered from the wind, and make sure that the soil is kept damp. I have always left my trees outside, including chinese elm and trident maples. I don't have pines, but they are pretty hardy beasts. |
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| Author: | Paul B [Swindon] [ 31 Oct 2017, 14:21 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter preparation |
I agree with Tom and Nigel, if it freezes for longer than 3/4 days, some of mine just go into the garage to thaw out then back out when it gets better. It seems to be the cold wind that most don't like, so put them near a fence or house wall, but remember there they will dry out quicker so keep an eye on watering. I don't feed mine until they start showing signs of growth in the New Year. I see that Keith posted at the same time as me... 
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| Author: | Bish [ 31 Oct 2017, 14:32 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter preparation |
Thanks for the tip about the wind keith/paul. It can get a bit blowy where they are but there are more sheltered spots in the garden. |
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| Author: | Brendan [ 31 Oct 2017, 23:09 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter preparation |
My trees are all outside. The tridents go up against a house wall on the south facing side in a sheltered wind free corner and under my bench. The bench is slatted so wind gets through but they don't suffer from excessive frost and the last 4 winters have been cold but not root shattering. Paulpash suggests I could use my windowless unheated garage if the winter really turned cold but not been necessary so far. |
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