Soil/water?

CinciBonsai

I have two trident that have not been watered for about 2 weeks. The weather here in cinci has been around 35 for the high and 15 for the low. I have a chopstick in both, the top of the soil feels and look dry but when you pull the chopstick out they both feel moist. On one tree you can see little roots starting to come out of the top soil, what is this not enough water. From what Ive read if the soil feels moist its ok and they take alot longer to dry out in this cold weather. Any help or sugs would be appreciated.

Kevin,

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vince

Well, i would not worry about the top soil, this is where a lot of people go wrong, they see the soil on the top as being dry, but in fact it is wet further down in your pot.
You seem to have a bit of know how on the watering, but you don't need the root's in wet soil iff? they are in dormancy, in fact i would not water them at all not in the usual sense, just keep the soil moist, just a good misting.
Remember, they are sleeping at the moment, no feeding, and hold back on the water, they wont use it at the moment.

CinciBonsai

Thanks Vince, are club here in cinci just had a workshop about 2 weeks ago with suthin sukosolvisit and I spoke with him about watering, he told me every 2-3 weeks in winter. So Im a little confused on all this every book and human tell me something diff. I guess it will just take some time on finding out what works for me and maybe killing a couple of trees on the way.

Kevin

vince

Kevin
You have to remember as well, your local climate, don't bother about the zone map, it gives you a rough idea on what's what, but, it ain't something you can rely on.
Your Bonsai teacher gave good advice, 2 to 3 week's, but are you sure he did not state, If required ?
Remember, where you keep your tree's, in full sunlight or in shade or even in a garage to overwinter can make a hell of a diff. in your watering.
This is something that nobody can tell about, the main thing is, DONT!! keep em in wet soil/compost.
We all get caught out now and again by freaky weather, and loose tree's it's part of the hobby, if it work's for you? this is the main thing, don't get caught up in this, "you have to do this at certain times" you may loose a couple of tree's, we all have, but you will get there. Cheers.

CinciBonsai

I keep them in my garage so they are not getting any sun or wind. What do you mean by, Dont keep them wet, if they are in my garage and staying wet because of no light, heat or wind its going to be hard for them to dry out.