winter damage

[Gene Deci]

As winter approaches I thought I would post a "heads up" for those newer bonsai enthusiasts who live in the north. Last winter I lost a fine (read expensive) lotus pot to the ice. The pot was high-temperature fired and should have been impervious. It would have been except the upper rim of the pot curved in slightly. That trapped the expansion as the soil froze, and the pot broke in two. If your soil is going to freeze, make sure it has room the expand, usually upward, in the pot. It is worth the effort.

 

[sorce]

Sorry to hear that Gene.

Very thoughtful.

Sorce

 

[crust]

f your soil is going to freeze, make sure it has room the expand,

How?

 

[Gene Deci]

How?

Good question. On the pot I lost, I believe scraping a half inch or so of soil off the top around the rim would have sufficed

 

[DougB]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm sure many of use will be taking an extra look at our pots and the soil level.

 

[GrimLore]

I used to take of about a half inch of substrate after loosing a couple pots and it worked well. They are all empty this year but as I restock I will certainly do the same next year. They were also high fired so expansion must have been the real issue.

Grimmy

 

[M. Frary]

Soil expansion is also another reason to wire trees in pots. I can see a tree in a shallow pot getting heaved right out.

 

[aml1014]

I can see a tree in a shallow pot getting heaved right out.

I have a seiju elm that was deported only 5 times this spring in the wind, definitely learned my lesson with the wind we have here.

 

[Paradox]

I have been told that many people around here remove the tree from the pot to prevent the pot from shattering.
Not sure if that is a good idea for the tree or not.

 

[LuxBonsai]

I live in a tropical country. I haven't experience this problem. I thought I will put my trees in my house.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I have a seiju elm that was deported only 5 times this spring in the wind, definitely learned my lesson with the wind we have here.

Talk about immigration problems!

 

[Dav4]

Talk about immigration problems!

Brian, it's a republican conspiracy!!! Vote Bernie in 2016 if you want to keep your potted trees!!!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Brian, it's a republican conspiracy!!! Vote Bernie in 2016 if you want to keep your potted trees!!!

Bernie would make trees free for everyone!

 

[aml1014]

Talk about immigration problems!

Gotta love auto correct lol