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Author Topic: Cold winter confusion  (Read 482 times)
ceasharp
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« on: January 16, 2013, 05:07 AM »
I have been in this beautiful are for a little under one year. I have a Winged Elm and Zelkova Serrata in two large pots because I have decided to go big on the trunks. They are both about 2 weeks repotted (repotted because the plastic pots they came in were absolutely in terrible condition). In southern california this winter we are experiencing strangly cold weather (32 and lower).

Since this kind of cold is not a usual occurence here in California I am a little afraid of the soil freezing. I am curious about something. I have some mulch (mostly barks and recycled tree trimming from the city mulch) can I place about an inch of this on  the top of the bonsai soil to protect the roots?
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Judy
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USDA Hardiness: 5b
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2013, 07:40 AM »
Both those trees should be able to take the colder temps in stride,  but mulching them in is a good practice when you have a cold snap.  I live in a cold climate, so I protect all winter, someone in your area will have to help you with how long you should protect them for shorter periods.
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rockm
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« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2013, 09:34 AM »
If you're mulching, don't just put it on top of the pot. Put the pot on the ground, pile mulch up over the pot to cover an inch or two of the trunk.

Plaicing mulch only on the top of the soil of a pot does not good. The heat will be lost from the sides...
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ceasharp
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« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2013, 10:19 PM »
@rockm: That makes perfect sense. here is the issue I am facing however. What if I cannot put the pot on the ground?
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bwaynef
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USDA Hardiness: 8a
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2013, 10:24 PM »
Quote from: ceasharp on January 16, 2013, 10:19 PM
@rockm: That makes perfect sense. here is the issue I am facing however. What if I cannot put the pot on the ground?

If you don't have too many, you could put the pot in a plastic bin and drop mulch in there.  Make sure to provide drainage.  Move the bin near the house.
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bigDave
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« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2013, 11:27 PM »
Quote from: ceasharp on January 16, 2013, 05:07 AM
  I have a Winged Elm and Zelkova Serrata in two large pots 
Ha ha dont be confued...
As Judy said, no need to move those or mulch them, our kinda cold will not even touch them,

Good luck
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ceasharp
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« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2013, 02:14 AM »
@bigdave: l Cheesy ok yeah this latest cold spell has been unusually cold so I kinda freaked out. Thank you every one
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