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Help for winter

  • Ribulah
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Help for winter was created by Ribulah

Posted 7 years 2 months ago #36269
I'm new to bonsai and require and some help from anyone who has knowledge of bonsai regarding winter.

I'm in Canada and temperatures regularly reach -20c over winter. My bonsai is basically a sapling at this point. I purchased it in summer.

Due to circumstances I had to leave my bonsai with a horticulturist friend of mine over most of the summer up until now.

Upon the transfer back to me, my bonsai has been indoors for about a week now. I know getting them settled into dormancy is very important.

Temperatures are now going to be going down to regular below 0 status. I'm not sure if it is too late and I've messed up the induction of dormancy or not.

I know length of daylight is a big factor here.

Basically I'm asking if it is too late for my bonsai and if I've messed up badly or is there still hope. My bonsai means a lot to me and I very much do not want it to die.

I fear if I just put it outside again the temperature shock would surely kill it. I'm making an insulated box for over winter protection.

Any help would be greatly greatly appreciated.
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  • Auk
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Replied by Auk on topic Help for winter

Posted 7 years 2 months ago #36272

Ribulah wrote: My bonsai is basically a sapling at this point.


It is indeed, and it should not be in a bonsai pot. It will not develop sufficiently in there to become a bonsai.
Note that developing this into a real bonsai will take several years before you have something to really work with.

Temperatures are now going to be going down to regular below 0 status. I'm not sure if it is too late and I've messed up the induction of dormancy or not.


The temperature outdoors should not be a problem. The bad climate indoors (low humidity, high temperature, low light levels) are.

Basically I'm asking if it is too late for my bonsai and if I've messed up badly or is there still hope.


I can't tell. So far it doesn't look unhealthy.

I fear if I just put it outside again the temperature shock would surely kill it. I'm making an insulated box for over winter protection.


Keeping it indoors will kill it too. It needs to go outdoors. An unheated room would work, if you have one.
Last Edit:7 years 2 months ago by Auk
Last edit: 7 years 2 months ago by Auk.
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  • Ribulah
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Replied by Ribulah on topic Help for winter

Posted 7 years 2 months ago #36282
Thank you very much for your insights. I am very new to this as you could probably tell. As far as the pot that it is in, should I be transplanting it to a larger pot ASAP or is it too late now and I should just be concerned with getting it outside for the winter?
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  • 333Adriaan333
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Replied by 333Adriaan333 on topic Help for winter

Posted 7 years 2 months ago #36284
Check on YouTube kw bonsai (nigel saunder) he's from Canada and can help alot
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Replied by Auk on topic Help for winter

Posted 7 years 2 months ago #36288

Ribulah wrote: As far as the pot that it is in, should I be transplanting it to a larger pot ASAP or is it too late now and I should just be concerned with getting it outside for the winter?


Never rush things. Now is not the right time. Just get it through the winter.
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Replied by leatherback on topic Help for winter

Posted 7 years 2 months ago #36298
If you have a coldroom (Say unheated shed) where you could put it for a bit that might help transition. Junipers do stand a lot of cold; I would not be too surprised if a degree or two of frost will not do much damage at this point. But if you have a halfway house for it, that would be best. Keeping it indoos over winter is more problematic.

-20C is however a challenge for all plants, even hardy junipers. Try to keep it out of wind during those cold periods.
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Replied by Ribulah on topic Help for winter

Posted 7 years 2 months ago #36317
Very informative. Thank you!!
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