Summary
Overwinteringbonsai treesis critical for their charge , especially if you take on the task ofwinter horticulture . Theseexotic plant , known for being very beautiful and midget , have unique challenges when the colder month come . Unlike most of your typical garden plant life , bonsai treesneed specific conditions to grow , and the onset of wintertime presents obstacles that can negatively bear upon their wellness .
understand thetypes of bonsai treesavailable and how to winterize them is essential to keeping their artistic appeal and vital force . Whether you ’re brand new to the art of maintainingbonsai treesor you ’re a seasoned pro , there are thing you must do to protect these touchy industrial plant through the wintertime months .
What Are Bonsai Tree Plants?
There are differenttypes of bonsai trees
Bonsai is an ancient art that originated in Taiwanese horticulture before it undergo development under Japanese Zen Buddhism . This art involves tame miniature trees that mime the exfoliation and shape of full - sized tree diagram .
This cognitive process symbolizes balance , peace , and harmony , showcasing nature ’s beauty in a pensive , little distance . Bonsai Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are n’t geneticallydwarfed plants , but by carefully rationalize the crown and beginning keeps them lowly when combine with other technique . Additionally , there are several populartypes of bonsai treesavailable , including :
Description
Growing Zones
Cold Tolerance
Juniper Bonsai
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Junipers have tough , long - populate leafage and a very natural appearance.
They are in the main intrepid inzones 4 through 9 .
It can toleratetemperatures as broken as -20 to -30 level Fahrenheit , and can overwinter indoors or outside .
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Ficus Bonsai
Ficus species diverge , but they typically have small leaves and a variety of shapes and colors.
They are best suited forzones 10 through 11 , as they prefer strong climates .
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They ’re not frost - hardy , andcan get damage at temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit . Overwinter them indoors .
Maple Bonsai
maple , peculiarly theJapanese maple , have beautiful seasonal people of colour changes and intricate leaf shapes.
It ’ll thrive planted inzones 5 through 8because it ’s a hardier bonsai mintage .
This Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is freeze stout and can toleratetemperatures down to about 15 degrees Fahrenheit , so overwinter indoors or outdoors .
Pine Bonsai
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Pine Bonsai trees are know for their resiliency and can put up strong-growing base body of work . Their leaf can be finicky.
This will vary by species , but many are brave inzones 5 through 8 .
Many cantolerate temperature as blue as -20 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit , so you ’ll typically winter alfresco .
Cherry Bonsai
They are known for their beautiful white or pinkish peak in spring and can bring forth delicious fruit in summer.
cerise bonsai trees are typically sturdy inzones 5 through 8 .
They ’re frost - hardy butneed protection from -20 degrees Fahrenheittemperatures . Overwinter them within or out .
Cherry bonsai trees require a nerveless winter dormancy flow of at least three months to encourage blooms , whether you winter them indoors or outdoors.
Each case requires specific care techniques , making understanding their needs crucial for successful cultivation .
How Long Do Bonsai Trees Live?
Theseexotic plantscan be long-lived
It ’s common for hoi polloi to wonder,“How long do bonsai trees live ? " When you take right care of your industrial plant , they can outlive their full - sized counterparts . It ’s not rare to findbonsai treesthat are several decades onetime , and some specimens can reach over 100 years old . However , their seniority is a lineal reflectivity of the meticulous guardianship and attention their raiser give them . There are several factors that come into play when determining how long these trees will live .
Regularpruning and repottingalso contribute to a bonsai ’s longevity . These practice forestall the root from becoming pot - obligate and see the tree does n’t use up the dirt ’s nutrients .
Challenges for Bonsai Trees in Winter
Harsh winter conditions negatively impact the trees
wintertime brings significant challenges for yourbonsai trees , chiefly due to the rough environment that negatively impacts their health . The cold temperatures can make the roots to freeze down , especially if you ’re turn a species that is n’t aboriginal to colder climates . Root damageis detrimental because it reduces the tree ’s ability to absorb nutrients and piss .
Reduced daylight hours and gloomy light intensity are also challenges because this can negatively bear upon photosynthesis ( convert Christ Within to energy ) , which is vital for a healthy tree . Not to mention , indoor heating dry the tune , lead to desiccated foliation . These environmental stresses are ones you have to cautiously manage to ensure yourbonsai treestays healthy throughout wintertime .
Preparing Bonsai Trees for Winter
Critical steps to take forwinterizing trees
One of the first thing you necessitate to do is make up one’s mind if your bonsai is cold - stout or require to be brought indoors . Not all coinage can withstand freezing temperatures .
For outdoor bonsai trees , applyorganic mulch(like straw or pine barque ) to insulate the roots or immerse the hatful in the primer , up to the rim , to protect it . Also , shield your outdoor trees from harsh winds because they can damage the leafage .
With indoor plants , you have to consider the sunlight , temperature , and humidity needs because bonsai tree are very tender to their surroundings and do n’t react well to huge fluctuations . If you do n’t get the surroundings just decently and monitor yourexotic plants , this increases the risk of exposure of diseases , health exit , or fungal infection , all of which can chair to plant death .
Overwintering Tropical Bonsai Trees Indoors
Caring forbonsai trees in winter
Bringingbonsai treesindoors during wintertime requires careful consideration of several factors to mimic their innate abeyant full stop and insure their survival of the fittest . Remember , trees will go sleeping when exposed to roughly 40 level Fahrenheit , and both hardy and temperate cultivars need this quiescence period to outride sizable . Deciduous bonsais will lose their leaves to temper up new growth in preparation for a dormant period . According to theMinnesota Bonsai Society , the follow guidelines will aid you overwinter your tree indoors :
If you want to winter your outdoor tropical bonsai indoors , you ask to consider the followers :
Light Requirements
Successfullyoverwintering bonsai trees indoorsrequires giving them ample ignitor , even with shorter wintertime day . Put your tree in a southward - facing window where it can get at least five to six hours ofindirect sunlightdaily . If you ca n’t give them enough instinctive light exposure , supplement by place grow visible radiation roughly a fundament above the tree diagram for 10 to 12 hour every day .
Temperature Control
During winter , hardy and temperate bonsai trees like cooler temperature as they go dormant , rough around 40 degrees Fahrenheit . head off putting them by heat energy origin like volcano or radiators because this will get the soil to dry out too cursorily and stress your tree . If you have a tropic species , the temperature requirements are slightly higher , at 60 to 70 degree Fahrenheit .
Humidity Maintenance
Indoor heating can make your air very wry , especially during winter . If it ’s too dry , this will hurt your flora ’s health . Ideally , the humidity horizontal surface should stay on between 40 and 50 per centum . Add a humiditytray fill with water supply and pebblesunder your tree diagram , ensuring the grass does n’t sit right away in the water . This will bring up the relative humidity level to acceptable range .
Fertilizer and Watering
Water your bonsai tree diagram when the top 1 to 2 column inch of soil feels teetotal , but do n’t saturate the pot medium . You’ll cut back on lachrymation roughly once every two to three week during winter and obviate fecundate as the tree is dormant and has tedious emergence .
Ensure good atmosphere circulation around the bonsai to prevent fungal disease .
Winterizing Trees for Outdoor Conditions
Protect outdoorbonsai treeroots
When protect your plants from out-of-door elements , you may mulch or immerse the pot in the dirt , effectively saving the trees ' roots as the temperatures drop . But , enclose thepots in burlapis another pick , specially if the pot material is more prone to cracking , like ceramic . There are other selection as well .
Creating a Microclimate
If you want more protection from your alien plant , place it in acold frameallows you to hold in the environment throughout the winter . It shields your bonsai from terrible atmospheric condition while allowing air and light circulation to make a warm microclimate .
Another option is to put yourbonsai treein a sheltered spot , like against a Dixieland - facing wall , to maximize sunlight exposure and minimize exposure to the harsher wintertime breaking wind . Water slenderly ( ¼ to ½-inch per week ) , ensuring the soil does n’t completely dry out out , particularly on milder days .
even checks for stress or impairment are essential . Adjust auspices as require , especially during temperature fluctuations .
compute out how to care forbonsai trees in winterhas a encyclopaedism curve , but doing so will help ensure you get a healthy , roaring plant . Whether you desire to practicewinter gardeningwith them or justwinterizing trees , you ’ll set the level for your bonsai to come back strong in the bounce as it comes out of quiescence and helps it live for decade .
