Lifetime Tree Death Count

[bdwarner]

Yes Chris I agree with you. That first year I didn't know what I was doing. Looking back it was a miracle the Maple survived. As for keeping my plants growing through the winters, that was a one time newbie mistake. I have 2 tropicals (ficus) and the rest are deciduous. I now know to overwinter my deciduous trees to give them the dormancy they need. My quince was dormant this winter and has come back this spring looking better than ever- it got the rest it needed.

 

[coh]

Yes Chris I agree with you. That first year I didn't know what I was doing. Looking back it was a miracle the Maple survived. As for keeping my plants growing through the winters, that was a one time newbie mistake. I have 2 tropicals (ficus) and the rest are deciduous. I now know to overwinter my deciduous trees to give them the dormancy they need. My quince was dormant this winter and has come back this spring looking better than ever- it got the rest it needed.

I think you can usually get away with keeping most non-tropicals indoors for a winter if necessary. When I started bonsai I took a beginners class in the fall. We worked on a bunch of trees, mostly tropicals but also a camellia, cotoneaster, and juniper. Since a lot of work was done at the wrong time of year (including root pruning and repotting), the advice was to keep them indoors for that first winter. All but one (the cotoneaster) survived and are doing well 3 years later. The cotoneaster was lost to root rot the following summer because the pot was holding too much water...I don't think it had anything to do with keeping it indoors that winter but can't say for sure.

There are some out there who have managed to keep non-tropical species alive and well indoors year round (search for "Jack Wikle" on google), but it's not easy...nor worth it for most.

Chris

 

[ericN]

This tree did not die but had to part with it when I down sized and moved to our new condo ........ But looking at the bright side, maybe someday it would end up in my hands again....

The things we do for our kids.

Eric

 

[mcpesq817]

About 65% of the trees I had did not wake up from winter. I haven't the foggiest idea why. This hobby is a heart-wrenching one. Not sure I've bounced back from that blow yet. Maybe suiseki is more my speed.

So sorry to hear this. How were the trees overwintered? This was a really crazy winter.

 

[berobinson82]

So sorry to hear this. How were the trees overwintered? This was a really crazy winter.

They stayed in the garage like the year before. When I pulled them out of their pots, most of them had plenty of roots. I'm not sure if I kept them too wet or too dry.. dunno. I have more airy soil now. Perhaps that will keep the trees healthier.

Next winter, I plan to make a cold frame against the house. with some plywood, i'll pack the box with snow when it starts coming down. Next year, when I collect, I'll be putting everything back into the ground for a couple years.

*sigh* Hopefully I'll lose less than the year before. Can't take another punch in the gut like this.

Are you going to be there tomorrow?

 

[Q-Bonsai]

They stayed in the garage like the year before. When I pulled them out of their pots, most of them had plenty of roots. I'm not sure if I kept them too wet or too dry.. dunno. I have more airy soil now. Perhaps that will keep the trees healthier.

Next winter, I plan to make a cold frame against the house. with some plywood, i'll pack the box with snow when it starts coming down. Next year, when I collect, I'll be putting everything back into the ground for a couple years.

*sigh* Hopefully I'll lose less than the year before. Can't take another punch in the gut like this.

Are you going to be there tomorrow?

After this last winter, I decided to stop messing with too many tropicals. Too much hassle. Keep in mind I live in Houston! Deciduous and conifers moving forward. I'll keep the tropicals I really like and can't be replaced but I don't see many more tropical purchases for me in the future.

 

[Poink88]

After this last winter, I decided to stop messing with too many tropicals. Too much hassle. Keep in mind I live in Houston! Deciduous and conifers moving forward. I'll keep the tropicals I really like and can't be replaced but I don't see many more tropical purchases for me in the future.

Same here.

 

[mcpesq817]

They stayed in the garage like the year before. When I pulled them out of their pots, most of them had plenty of roots. I'm not sure if I kept them too wet or too dry.. dunno. I have more airy soil now. Perhaps that will keep the trees healthier.

Next winter, I plan to make a cold frame against the house. with some plywood, i'll pack the box with snow when it starts coming down. Next year, when I collect, I'll be putting everything back into the ground for a couple years.

*sigh* Hopefully I'll lose less than the year before. Can't take another punch in the gut like this.

Are you going to be there tomorrow?

Might not be there tomorrow - my kids are all sick, and so instead of taking a vacation day to relax at the Arboretum, I might be stuck at home playing nurse

You going tomorrow?

 

[berobinson82]

Might not be there tomorrow - my kids are all sick, and so instead of taking a vacation day to relax at the Arboretum, I might be stuck at home playing nurse

You going tomorrow?

I have a 6 year old's birthday party to host on Saturday so tomorrow is my only opportunity.

Hope the kiddos feel better. Stinks to watch your little ones suffer.