As a newbie (1 year) to bonsai and getting ready to go into my first winter with some of my bonsai
(Japanese Black Pines, junipers, maples and oak and all 15 trees under 10 inches in height) outside
in the freezing cold, I am hoping some of the bonsai experts can give me an idea of what works. I
have read about greenhouses, cold frames, unheated sheds and the like and I'm wondering if
anyone have a suggestion what would be best. I'm willing to purchase a small greenhouse or a
cold frame if need be, and if you have any specifics on what size, where to buy etc. that would be
greatly appreciated too. Also can any of these be supplimented with a heat source of any kind to
keep the temperature cool, but not frozen, since here in Virginia it can get into the teens or single
digits. Thanks for any and all help.

Gary
Virginia
Zone 7a

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The winter care you choose will reflect your philosophy on bonsai. My
philosophy, which I shout at my bonsai every day is "Sink or swim,
dudes!". Any bonsai that can't survive overwintering in a bed of mulch
sheltered from the wind is a bonsai that.... isn't going to survive.

Virginia is a very nice climate, however, and you'll be able to
overwinter a lot of plants with ease. Cold frames are fine, but you
need to get one with an automatic venting system, or you'll have
problems in the spring with erratic weather patterns making your trees
come out of dormancy too soon.

Nina.

);-) Well, sink or swim is a bit harsh, in my opinion. );-)

Many of us have trees that are on the edge with respect to their ability to withstand a harsh winter. My trees once wintered in south Jersey are now facing winter in PA--one zone colder. To compensate for the potential loss of irreplaceable specimen trees, I am wintering some in a colder garage. The Japanese white pines and Junipers are freezing in a cold shed.

Speak to folks in your area: they are best qualified to provide you with insight into how they have managed to keep their living art alive and well.

And yet, many do believe that Nina's approach is the right approach. What I say is "Different strokes for different folks." );-)

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
members.aol.com/iasnob

-----Original Message-----
From: Nina <nina.shishkoff [at] GMAIL.COM>
To: BONSAI [at] HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
Sent: Tue, 6 Sep 2005 06:46:37 -0700
Subject: Re: [IBC] Winter Care


The winter care you choose will reflect your philosophy on bonsai. My
philosophy, which I shout at my bonsai every day is "Sink or swim,
dudes!". Any bonsai that can't survive overwintering in a bed of mulch
sheltered from the wind is a bonsai that.... isn't going to survive.

Virginia is a very nice climate, however, and you'll be able to
overwinter a lot of plants with ease. Cold frames are fine, but you
need to get one with an automatic venting system, or you'll have
problems in the spring with erratic weather patterns making your trees
come out of dormancy too soon.

Nina.

************************************************************ ********************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Bob Pastorio++++
************************************************************ ********************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST [at] HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++

************************************************************ ********************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Bob Pastorio++++
************************************************************ ********************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST [at] HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++

Gary Huff wrote:
> As a newbie (1 year) to bonsai and getting ready to go
> into my first winter with some of my bonsai (Japanese
> Black Pines, junipers, maples and oak and all 15 trees
> under 10 inches in height) outside in the freezing cold,
> I am hoping some of the bonsai experts can give me an
> idea of what works. I have read about greenhouses, cold
> frames, unheated sheds and the like and I'm wondering if
> anyone have a suggestion what would be best. I'm willing
> to purchase a small greenhouse or a cold frame if need
> be, and if you have any specifics on what size, where to
> buy etc. that would be greatly appreciated too. Also can
> any of these be supplimented with a heat source of any
> kind to keep the temperature cool, but not frozen, since
> here in Virginia it can get into the teens or single
> digits. Thanks for any and all help.
>

Most of the trees you list will do just fine in Virginia
without the expense of a greenhouse. Just put them
somewhere out of the wind.

There is a long seasonal care article at the IBC Knowledge
Base at our website (address below).

Jim Lewis - jklewis [at] nettally.com - Tallahassee, FL - Nature
encourages no looseness, pardons no errors. Ralph Waldo
Emerson

************************************************************ ********************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Bob Pastorio++++
************************************************************ ********************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST [at] HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++