The OKAMI NEWSLETTER

Fall 2004 Edition

PACKIN’ FOR THE WINTER

By Brian Gershuny

Okami Gardens Bonsai

http://home.comcast.net/~okamigardens/

 

Sorry gang, it’s that time again.  Autumn is upon us and Winter looms just over the horizon.  For us cold weather folk, this means lots of preparation to get our little trees through to Spring.  Let me preface this article by telling you I grow non-tropical trees near the New Jersey coast,  zone 7, where the Winter temperatures drop occasionally to 0○ but daytime averages 30○ - 40○.  Adjust your setup for your local temperatures.  I just visited the Northern California coast where things don’t freeze.  I’m very jealous.

First lets talk about Autumn.  Enjoy it!  The cool days and beautiful colors.  It’s what we wait for all summer.  Take lots of pictures.  It’s also time to take a ‘head count’.  If you’re like me, your collections grow when you’re not looking.  Start thinking about a place to over winter them.  Your options depend on the size of your collection and available space.

 

Why do trees need winter protection?  These are temperate trees that have evolved to survive very cold winters.  The problem is you have changed it’s environment.  Trees in nature have roots that go deep into the ground where there is no freezing and constant moisture.  A 2-4” deep bonsai pot freezes and dries.  What you want to prevent is the recurring freezing and thawing.  The answer is insulation (we’ll discuss that later).  Evergreen trees need some light but deciduous trees can be in complete darkness. 

 

The ideal situation:  A large temperature controlled greenhouse with lighting and a water supply. (Dreamy harp music plays)  OK, back to reality!  If you have the room, a cold greenhouse or hoop house is great.  They are affordable and come in various small sizes.  Some have automated temperature vents so it doesn’t get too warm.  Keep in mind,  the smaller the greenhouse the harder it is to maintain an even temperature which is your main goal.  Use white plastic or white coated panels to keep the daytime temperatures down.  Remember, you don’t want it warm – you want it even.

 

If you don’t have room for a greenhouse you need to be innovative.  Here are some method that I and other people I know have used.  The most important thing is protection from cold drying winds and keeping the root temperature as even as possible.  Old pictures from Japan show panels of bamboo and reeds to make lean-to’s or against buildings.  The principle still works.

 

Indoor storage:

People have kept trees in sheds, garages, outbuildings and even refrigerators.  This is fine for deciduous trees that do not need light.  Just remember to water them.  Screened in porches are great.  Provide a little windbreak for extra protection. 

 

Some people have used their benches wrapped in white plastic.  I found it better to move the benches to the east side of the house.  You also need to open it frequently to water and maintain the temperature.  It works but is somewhat inconvenient. 

 

MULCH! Key word.  Bury your trees in some type of mulch to keep the roots and pots at as even a temperature as possible.  Bark, liquorish root, ground leaves, salt hay or pine needles are all fine.  I have cut a slit in bags of mulch and buried the pots into them.  Bury the trees almost to the lowest branch.  Use mulch in your greenhouse too (unless it stays above 35○).  I throw a few moth balls in there too.  Insects and rodents can destroy your collection in no time.  I also spray my trees (especially Junipers) a week or two before I put them away. Mulch, mulch, mulch!!

 

When to put them away: 

When it’s cold!  For me it’s mid to late November.  One year winter came early so I hustled to get the trees put away early.  No magic number or dates.  There are still some autumn chores like pruning some deciduous trees and pulling Black pine needles.  I put the pines away last.  That is the last chore I want to do, usually in December.

 

Can trees stay outside?  A resounding maybe.  Many can and in my nursery, many do.  I have hundreds of trees and a 10 x 16’ hoop house.  No modern math here.  The tiny and sensitive trees go in the greenhouse.  The others are put on the ground under benches with pallets leaned against them and near the fence, buried in leaves.  I push all the nursery cans together and rake leaves up against them. 

 

During the winter.  Make sure the trees do not dry out!  I cannot stress that enough.  Check them at least once a week.  If they freeze, check them in the afternoon as it is most likely to be defrosted.  Then get some water.  Keep the mulch moist, too.  Key word is moist.  If you make them wet, when it freezes your pots will crack.  I loose a few every winter.  Some people that have very expensive pots repot the trees, without disturbing the roots, to a larger mica pot for winter.

 

What not to do during the winter:

Don’t bend or wire the branches.  They break and die.  Don’t repot.  All the tree’s food is stored in the roots.  If you cut them off now the tree may not leaf out in spring.

 

What to do:

Rest. Your trees are resting, you rest, too.  Read some books and articles for inspiration.  Order catalogs.  Travel and look at trees in the wild.  Build more benches for your growing collection (you know it will)  Enjoy the winter.  It’s a beautiful time of year.

Brian

9/04 B.G.