Too Cold?!?

I am new to Bonsai care. I just purchased my first Bonsai and was wondering what type of cold tolerance they have. I live in Colorado and have a Japanese Juniper that I think needs to be outside. Should I leave the tree outdoors? I am also concerned about watering, as it is very dry here.

Thanks for your help.

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holgerwa

Exactly the same question I just wanted to post!
I am also in Colorado, have a Chinese Juniper, and was not brave enough to put it outside yet.
What temperature is the lowest those kinds of trees should be in, if outside.
Another question: If they are outside, is it better if they get rain, or if they are under a little roof?
Thank you!
Holger

Junipers are very cold hardy when grown outside year round but they need to be outside in the fall so they harden off before the really cold weather comes. The trouble is your trees were probably greenhouse grown and have been inside at the mall or store and can't be placed right out in the winter weather. *If you have a unheated garage, building or screened porch or somewhere you could keep it around 25-45 degrees put it there for now and place them outside in late winter. They will still need to be checked and watered when in winter storage and pull off any glued on rocks on the soil surface.

Most junipers are hardy to -25 when grown in the ground but much less in a bonsai pot, around 10 degrees actual rootball temperature. There are several ways to keep the the roots warmer than the air temperature though. Just setting them on or in the ground will help because of the heat radiated from the earth. Putting a heavy layer of mulch over the pots will help more, a good wind break even more, a cold frame still more. There are many options that can work but inside the house is absolutely the worst place to try to grow junipers.

Tony

Thanks for the info. I don't have a garage, but I have a porch that is covered. Can I bring in the tree on very cold nights or is it best to keep it outside?

I would just leave it on the porch, it should be ok.

First of all i would like to say thanks to Tony for all the good information. I have one additional question regarding wintering Junipers. What are the watering requirements during the winter? I have seen conflicting reports as to how much water Junipers require.

Thanks again for all the help.

Let the top 1/4-1/2 inch of the soil dry out between waterings. Learn to feel the soil and judge the moisture content and water when the top layer is dry but still slightly moist underneath. *When you do water, saturate the rootball until water drains freely from the drain holes. *Watering is much less frequent in winter because it doesn't evaporate quickly in the cold temperatures but it's still a good idea to check it regularly. My junipers stay outside exposed to the snow and rain and most winters I don't have to water unless we get a dry spell.

Tony

i just got a juniper for christmas and know that it has to be outside for the winter. i am in upstate NY with cold winters so can i just place it on the porch in the middle of january or do i need to do it gradually, and what is this cold frame that protects it?

Start with a few hours per day outside and bring it in at night and put it in the coolest spot in the house. In this way you can build up to leaving it outside full time. It will need good protection from the wind in the winter time.