Cold spell

[Hoyonokuma]

Hey guys.
Maples have started leafing out but we're expecting some pretty tough temps here in So.Germany (low 30s into mid 20s for 1 to 2 weeks) .

I'll definitely try to heal em in for the time being (unheated basement with around 70% humidity) but would like to ask what kind of light setup you guys consider the best in these short term situations.

Thanks in advance

 

[Cadillactaste]

Depends, if it's a fluke week...you could just bring inside and assume it would be like if they were in boxes being shipped to you.

Then, if this happens quite frequently. There are cheap options that need close to the foliage. Like T bulbs , or a higher point would be a hydrofarm grow light. They don't have to be as close to foliage. Mine I use an LED corn bulb. I use them in the cold greenhouse for such occasions.

 

[Hoyonokuma]

Depends, if it's a fluke week...you could just being inside and assume it would be like id they were in boxes being shipped to you.

Then, if this happens quite frequently. There are cheap options that need close to the foliage. Like T bulbs , or a higher point would be a hydrofarm grow light. They don't have to be as close to foliage. Mine I use an LED corn bulb. I use them in the cold greenhouse for such occasions.

Yeah this is my rookie bonsai year so it is quite known the weather can get messy here, until April.
I just never needed to paid attention to how bad the temps can vary until now and I'm kinda late for the adjustment.

If I can't find a quick solution or things don't get delivered in time, I just have to hope them new leaves won't miss the sun too much

 

[Cadillactaste]

Yeah this is my rookie bonsai year so it is quite known the weather can get messy here, until April.
I just never needed to paid attention to how bad the temps can vary until now and I'm kinda late for the adjustment.

If I can't find a quick solution or things don't get delivered in time, I just have to hope them new leaves won't miss the sun too much

Pause a minute...bonsai shows are typically done indoors. Breathe...it will be okay. My weather can be nasty until Memorial Day...so we are looking at the end of May. So I offer lights for this issue. April...isn't so bad if that is your last hoorah of cold.

 

[Hoyonokuma]

Pause a minute...bonsai shows are typically done indoors. Breathe...it will be okay. My weather can be nasty until Memorial Day...so we are looking at the end of May. So I offer lights for this issue. April...isn't so bad if that is your last hoorah of cold.

Makes perfect sense
I only worry about how bad the lack of sun during 1-2weeks may weaken the trees, since buds already broke open.
But maybe I'm just being overprotective.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Many do the two step, when day temps are safe...and back in at night when needed as well.

 

[Hoyonokuma]

Yeah I guess that's what's going to happen
I freed up a top shelf in the basement which is in front of a window. Might get around 1000lumen for a few hours a day there. Might do its job for a few days.

Hopefully I'm able to move out soon, build a proper garden and make some serious winter arrangements

Thanks @Cadillactaste

 

[Cadillactaste]

Yeah I guess that's what's going to happen
I freed up a top shelf in the basement which is in front of a window. Might get around 1000lumen for a few hours a day there. Might do its job for a few days.

Hopefully I'm able to move out soon, build a proper garden and make some serious winter arrangements

Thanks @Cadillactaste

I think you are at least being prepared. Always a good thing.

 

[petegreg]

Same here, I've got some maples in full leaves sent from Germany and Belgium, some elms with fresh growth... and will do bonsai two step too.

Here's quite actual post that can help...

Spring Frosts and New Growth–

In any area that freezes, spring is a delicate moment. If cold comes, we can lose years of work in a few hours. In our bonsai garden, we have an outdoor thermostat that triggers an alarm inside the…

crataegus.com

 

[leatherback]

Looks like I will be spared most. 3 frost nights, lowest 28F. Considering leaving everything where they are. Let's see how I feel when I go outside at night and I see the first frozen leaves

 

[Hoyonokuma]

@leatherback I feel you.
My top shelf wasn't big enough for them all and just healed in the one I ground layered and my favourite one.. Finger crossed

 

[leatherback]

and just healed in the one I ground layered and my favourite one

Sounds like your main concern are the roots?
I just do not wish to loose the young foliage. A number of layers have not fully rooted as I separated some of them in winter. I am concerned that if those loose their leaves, that might be the end of them.

 

[Hoyonokuma]

@leatherback yeah roots on the ground layered one and leaves on the more 'valuable' one.
That's why I've been asking about a growing light setup for these situations at first. . Just as short term sunlight replacement

 

[leatherback]

A few days in the dark will nog really harm them. Main challenge is that you get etoilation of the stems, long internodes. Especially if your basement is warm.

 

[Hoyonokuma]

Basement is constantly between 3 and 8 °C.
I'm doing the 2 steps as long as outside temps allow.. Will definitely have both eyes open on elongation!
Thanks @leatherback

 

[leatherback]

I'm doing the 2 steps as long as outside temps allow.

Forecast for my location changed again, now only -1C , 30f, this weekend. Still consider not responding at all and see what happens.

 

[Hoyonokuma]

May the force be with you @leatherback

Would you also consider more vigorous and older trees to be better hardy due to the bigger amount of stored starch and carbohydrates, than younger plants, don't you?

 

[Dav4]

We had recent lows of 29.5 F in my yard for a few nights. I decided to protect all of the leafed out material by placing them on the ground... the nicer or recently repotted material went into the garage or under the deck and most had a sheet thrown over them. All did fine except this Boston ivy which was on the ground in between benches. The two Boston ivies in the background were three feet away, but were underneath a bench with a sheet thrown on top. The moral of the story is that tender foliage can be frost damaged or outright killed if it gets cold enough to freeze.


Of course, the weeds in the pot sailed through the cold snap with flying colors!

 

[HorseloverFat]

‘Aint no shame in “steppin”

 

[Hoyonokuma]

@Dav4 I feel sorry for the ivy
Them stoopid worthless weeds ain't good for nothing.. If at least one could grow em all year long