Winter Work - bonsaiTALK Community

11-Jan-2005	#1
njbonsai bonsaiTALK Journeyman Join Date: Nov-2004 Posts: 10	Winter Work Winter is here (though tomorrow is supposed to be 60 degrees) and I wanted to see what everyone does during the "down time". What type of work should be done to evergreen(pines in particular)/deciduous during the cold months between the normal growing time. If no work directly on the trees, what about prep work?

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11-Jan-2005	#2
BrianBay9 Trunk Collector Join Date: Sep-2003 Location: Loveland, CO Country: USA USDA Zone: 4 or 5? AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 1,346	What you can do varies quite a bit by where you are. For instance, I just finished most of my repotting here in N. California. I've got leaves budding out on trident maples and my willow, bud swelling on most everything else. I'm guessing you're talking about cold climates though. By your handle can we assume you're in New Jersey? Brian

11-Jan-2005	#3
Larry Bonsai hobbyist Join Date: Jul-2003 Location: North East Country: England USDA Zone: 8/9 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 1,622	Well, i dont do much in the winter plant wise. I put my birch in the shed as its quite tiny, and weed around the trees that are planted out. We dont have a problem with leaves, no large overhanging trees out the back, tho theres a huge red leaved maple out the front that puts leaves and seeds everywhere! __________________ Today is or was yesterday's tomorrow

11-Jan-2005

Attila

Attila Soos

Join Date: Jan-2002

Location: Los Angeles, California

Country: USA

Posts: 1,924

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianBay9

I've got leaves budding out on trident maples and my willow, bud swelling on most everything else.

NJ,

You can do wiring and branch pruning on pines in the winter. Rootwork comes later in the Spring. I would leave the heavy branch bending for the Spring though, when the sap flow is up to speed. That's because the heavy bending may block the weak sap flow to the point of no return.

Hey Brian,

I'm just itching here in L.A. to start my spring work, hopefully in a couple of weeks. I can't believe that over there in N. Cali. the Spring is ahead of us here.
How's that possible? We just got over a two-week rain and flooding, my trees were just almost underwater all this time.

Attila

11-Jan-2005	#5
BrianBay9 Trunk Collector Join Date: Sep-2003 Location: Loveland, CO Country: USA USDA Zone: 4 or 5? AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 1,346	Attila, We've had a mild "winter" even for us. Spring has probably arrived for you too. You just have to wade out there and have a good luck at your submerged plants! Brian

11-Jan-2005	#6
BrianBay9 Trunk Collector Join Date: Sep-2003 Location: Loveland, CO Country: USA USDA Zone: 4 or 5? AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 1,346	That would be a good "look"... Brian

11-Jan-2005	#7
Aaron_K bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Mar-2004 Country: England USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: 2-3 Posts: 1,477	This winter has been very mild to say the least. Last week I was out sweeping the yard in a T-shirt. For England in January, thats not a common sight - But then again... me sweeping the yard is nor a common sight either I've mostly just been sheltering my trees from the wind of late. Its been gusting pretty bad here the past few days, and up north tonight, winds are expected to be gusting up to 100MPH (160 KPH). Recently I acquired about 30 or more dormant tree seedlings, so I potted those up, and couldn't resist wiring a couple lol. Oh and I sprayed one of my Japanese hollys which has scale infestation with an insecticide - and it dropped about 80% of its foliage - so I wont be doing that again in a hurry! I've also got quite a few different species of tree seed which I was going to leave to nature this year. However, seens as it has been so mild, I've been keeping them in the fridge and recently moved them into the freezer for a good, old fashioned winter chilling. Other than that, I have been taking my frustrations out on my ugly ligustrum - poor thing must dread it when I walk into the room. I am planning on getting some timber to make some additional benches to work and place trees on. Last edited by Aaron_K : 11-Jan-2005 at 07:48 PM.

11-Jan-2005	#8
jo schmoo bonsaiTALK Master Join Date: Jun-2004 Location: Eagle, WI USDA Zone: 5a AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 268	i read books, wander the forums, and hope i my winter plan works and my trees won't die. __________________ History stopped being interesting when people stopped killing each other with swords. -Me during US History class

12-Jan-2005	#9
pootsie The Cat's Apprentice *MODERATOR GROUP* Join Date: May-2004 Location: Columbus o-HI-o Country: USofA USDA Zone: 6 AHS Heat Zone: 5 Posts: 3,065	Always time to mix soil for spring! pootsie __________________ p.s. My cat is a bonsaiTALK Master. Columbus Bonsai Society

12-Jan-2005	#10
Emperor Fish Bonsai Otaku Join Date: Nov-2002 Location: Hants Country: England USDA Zone: 8 ish AHS Heat Zone: 2-3 Posts: 570	Busy, busy, busy The New Year heralds much activity for me. 1. Repotting and wiring larch. 2. Wiring every d@mn shoot on pines. 3. Lopping off pine branches. 4. Ordering pots. 5. Doing the bonsai inventory and getting soil components, wire and fertiliser. 6. 'Spring' pruning on the deciduous. 7. Grafting pines. 8. Spraying lime sulphur around in my toxic suit. (Ah the neighbours stay clear of me) 9. Stratifying maple seeds. 10. Generally growing lots of moss on the top of my pots. 11. Planning the coming year's activity. Regards, Fish. __________________ Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill. HEALTH WARNING: Engage brain fully, before typing into keyboard. "We are the average gamers and we'll kill you badly. There'll be no finesse. no fancy tricks, no inventive attacks, just 2 whole smg clips and a rain of 'nades."

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