Wintering Bonsai in Zone 6b-New Jersey

rzeles

I am fairly new to Bonsai and have a few small Bonsai and pre-bonsai (in training pots and nursery pots), and want to ensure they all make it through the Winter in Central NJ-Zone 6B.

Last year I had a few conifers and a maple in Bonsai pots I left in my unheated garage over the winter. Needless to say, they never made it to spring. Not sure if I overwatered, underwatered or simply should have waited to spring to repot these.

My question is, since I have a fairly large outdoor shelf to display these (mostly conifers), can I simply cover them with a 4mil or so clear plastic sheet with some bricks to keep it down, and leave the sides open for ventilation? My understanding is it is more the dry winter winds that destroy these plants. Assuming they are watered correctly, is this better than putting them in an unheated garage or a shed for the winter?

Thanks.
Ron

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Adam_MA

An unheated garage will be best as long as the trees you have are hardy to your zone. As for watering your trees in the winter... If the soil if frozen, do not water. If the soil is thawed out you can water, but only if the pot is pretty dry. For instance, I only watered my trees 2 times last winter, and that was near the spring. I tend to cover the pots with mulch, and fill in around the trees with snow.

Adam

Joanie

And here's a nice set of links to information about overwintering, hope it helps!

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthread.php?t=13802

Joanie

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