Winterizing a Juniper

crankykitty

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ChrisM

kitty, i live in massachusetts, so i feel your pain when it comes to weather. i ususally leave mine outside with no overhead cover. i pile leaves under, around, and over the pots about half way up the tallest tree, this sometimes buries smaller ones with no ill effects to date, this has been enough protection for my trees over the years. my question for you is why this late in the season would you change what you have going? is the tree newly purchased? or is it showing something to cause concern? btw, junipers not only "prefer" to be outside, but it is as good as certain death if they are not. if kept in a cold house, they can be maintained by controlling the temp. (usually around 40F).

chris

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A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

crankykitty

It is a new tree, I just couldn't resist. Since I can't get leaves, how about wrapping it in fleece? Or would it be best to put it ( pot and all) in a larger pot and insulate with mulch? The porch offers wind protection and lots of sun so it's ideal, but these nights have been killer. I knew this little guy would need to be outside, I keep my house way too hot.

ChrisM

the blanket idea is no good, but the mulching should work. if you monitor your porch temp to ensure it at least stays above freezing (32F) it may survive. slowly but surely the days seem to be trending towards warmer temps. i have also been in the "couldn't resist" shoes with a juniper, in fact, i kept it in a cold porch and it survived. i did once and a while run a small space heater when it got really cold. monitoring the temp is going to be the key for helping this tree make it through the remainder of winter. good luck.

chris

__________________
A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

Jay

Greetings, Bringing the tree in and out in our climate (Yup I'm in northern VT too) isn't the best thing to do. I keep my trees in an unheated garage for the winter. Others in the area do other overwintering ideas.

You should think about joining the Green Mountain Bonsai Society. We meet once a month, usually in Jericho, at Mill Brook Bonsai. Our next meeting is March 18th. Stop by and check us out, no pressure to join.

In addition.... plug coming..... GMBS is going to be at the Annual Vermont Flower Show from Friday March 9 through Sunday March 11. I'll be doing the tree siting for the club on Friday (9AM -Noon) for anyone who might like to stop by. The event is at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction.

Hope you figure out the Juniper and welcome to the forum.

Jay

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A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

Mcspeed

I'll echo what Jay said, throwing a tree that has been inside a warm store, out to the weather now might put it to death.

Find a sunny window in a cool area, mist the foliage often, and be sure to check the soil to keep it moist not wet, and water the tree when it needs it. The typical watering instructions are to dunk it for 5 -10 min., once a week and enjoy your new indoor bonsai. Resist that bad advise and read through a bunch of threads you will find with the forums search feature, about watering and care.

Go to the FAQ, and beginners sections, lots of great info to get you thinking. Try this first http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthread.php?t=17754 , good luck, and happy Bonsai-ing.

This should help you come up with about 50 more questions.

But next year no inside for this tree.

Bill

crankykitty

Chris, maybe if I plastic the porch I can keep it warmer. It is in the sun all day and the clothes dryer is out there so it should help.

Jay, way to plug! I went to your website and as soon as I'm mobile, I plan on sitting in on a meeting, to check it out.


Bill, thanks for the link. I've been watering it when the leaves start to look "wilty" ( is that even a word??). I do promise to not make this poor little guy stay inside next year.

M

Jay

M,
The Club web site is sometimes a bit behind on events. Let me know when you're ready and I'll fill you in on the upcoming meetings.

As a thought...June 10 (I'm pretty sure thats the date) David Easterbrook from Montreal will be at the club, he will be doing a workshop in the AM and a demo in the afternoon. It is an all day event (most meetings are only in the afternoon) and there will be lots of trees to look at. That day is the member show. In addition, we try and have an orphan table, trees that are no longer wanted by their present owners at usually really good prices. Of course if someone else didn't want it...but I've picked up some nice trees this way.

Jay

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

crankykitty

Well, they're outside, covered in mulch, against the house and with a couple layers of winterizing plastic over them BUT the temperatures have plummeted. Will that be enough protection? I read something about ice melting and causing heat, should I put snow on top of the pots? I know I'm neurotic but I'd hate to kill them