I am very amateur to the art of Bonsai, and I am having trouble understanding how you keep them alive and well during the winter.
I have a Juniper recently purchased, and from what I have read, the idea is to keep them outside. Yet protected from freezing, extreme winds or snow. They must go through a dormant period or it will kill the tree. It did not say this on the pamphlet I received, just the basic summer/spring requirements. My friend thinks I should leave it inside, which I think is wrong. Since my last and first bonsai Juniper died this way...
I also have two ficus retusa, which are the trees with tiger-like markings on their bark. Large spade/oval shaped leaves. My favorite one has lived (survived rather) through the winters precariously over 4 years, but this winter it shows yellow leaves and overall droopiness... How do I get the correct amount of sunlight for them? Currently they are in front of a window getting a weak amount of sunlight exposure... There is nowhere else in my house that is a better place unfortunately.
My main question is how you deal with the winter times, where do you keep your plants, how often should I water them in a constant -70- degrees fahrenheit environment, and since I am watering my Ficus at least every two weeks why is it dying...=( Maybe I just live in the wrong place for this type of bonsai?
I suspect their is no answer for the ficus except to try and help it with general conditioning (does it have a winter phase..?), only for the juniper do I expect Im doing something wrong (keeping it inside all winter)
Also would it hurt to have the ficus' outside during noon-early afternoon so they could recieve some more sunlight exposure during winter? Even during 40-60 degree weather?
I live in Maryland by the way, and appreciate any help provided
