zimmy jazz
Seed
Forgive the inquiry, as I am sure this is asked frequently. I received a lovely Chinese Elm bonsai as a Christmas gift that was shipped from Mississippi to my home in Minnesota zone 4b. The tree showed up green and healthy in the middle of a midwestern snowstorm. Everything is dormant and leafless around here, and although it will be between 10 F and 30 F for the week, it will likely get very cold in the coming months.
I know that bonsai are happiest outside, but I also know that the trees need time to transition from season to season. I have a good book that says these smoothbark elm are easily kept indoors over winter, but the care sheet recommends it be kept outside. It's already losing its leaves in a sunny and cool window, so I just thought I'd ask ya'll before I kill this tree. What's my best move? Try to ease it outside, or use grow lights in the basement. I have room on a shelf in my dark garage, but it will get down to -20 F this winter, maybe for a whole week at a time.
Thanks for helping out a rookie! How do you go from a steamy greenhouse to MN winter in a couple of days? I have enjoyed reading about bonsai since covid started.....but wow..... it's a big topic...time to keep searching this forum.....
I know that bonsai are happiest outside, but I also know that the trees need time to transition from season to season. I have a good book that says these smoothbark elm are easily kept indoors over winter, but the care sheet recommends it be kept outside. It's already losing its leaves in a sunny and cool window, so I just thought I'd ask ya'll before I kill this tree. What's my best move? Try to ease it outside, or use grow lights in the basement. I have room on a shelf in my dark garage, but it will get down to -20 F this winter, maybe for a whole week at a time.
Thanks for helping out a rookie! How do you go from a steamy greenhouse to MN winter in a couple of days? I have enjoyed reading about bonsai since covid started.....but wow..... it's a big topic...time to keep searching this forum.....
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