How you overwinter a bonsai primarily depends on its origin. Native and Asian tree species tolerate frost and can overwinter in the open air. A change of location is recommended for cold-sensitive, tropical indoor bonsai. Read the best tips about winter quarters and care in this bonsai guide.

Some bonsai species can spend the winter outdoors

Outdoor bonsai overwinter on the balcony

The most beautiful outdoor bonsai come from the motherland of Asian tree art. Japanese hornbeam (Carpinus japonica) or Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) tolerate light frost. From - 5° Celsius there is a risk of frost damage. Many Asian bonsai beauties in pots can still overwinter outside on balconies and terraces if you take these precautions:

  • Wooden box on the ground cover with bark mulch
  • Place the bonsai with the shell on the mulch layer
  • Fill in coconut soil or a similar peat substitute up to the treetop
  • Cover the box with air-permeable fleece or breathable mulch film

Place the winter box with the bonsai in a wind-protected, partially shaded corner. Please check weekly whether the substrate in the bowl needs to be watered.

Outdoor bonsai overwinter by sinking

Willow (Salix), cornus (Cornus mas) or field maple (Acer campestre) are native tree species that are hardy down to -40° Celsius and are ideal outdoor bonsai. In the narrowly limited substrate volume of a bonsai pot, winter hardiness certainly reaches its limits. Sinking in the warming garden soil solves the problem. How to overwinter an outdoor bonsai properly:

  1. Place the outdoor bonsai with the pot on a table
  2. Clean the substrate surface of moss and dirt with a coarse brush
  3. Wrap the bowl in several layers with jute ribbon, including the base of the trunk
  4. Dig a pit in a shady, wind-protected location
  5. Lay out the bottom of the pit with vole wire
  6. Cover chicken wire (14.99€) with earth
  7. Place the bonsai in the pit and press lightly
  8. Fill the pit with soil

Sink the bonsai in the bed to just below the first branch. Please do the digging with your hands. A shovel or spade could damage or break off the delicate branches.

Winter indoor bonsai bright and cool

Bonsai gardeners prescribe a change of location for the indoor bonsai for the winter. Weeping figs (Ficus benjamini), June snow (Serissa foetida) and other tropical tree species do not tolerate the dark season in the heated living room. The consequences are stunted growth, pests and epic long shoots. It doesn't have to come to that if you overwinter an indoor bonsai like this:

  • Relocate to a bright location with temperatures between 10° and 15° Celsius
  • Do not fertilize bonsai in winter quarters
  • Water sparingly without causing ball dryness
  • Spray the little tree from time to time with lime-free, room-warm water

Reserve a place for your indoor bonsai in the slightly warm greenhouse or conservatory from October. The mini tree likes to set the scene decoratively in the bright, cool bedroom.

tips

A garden bonsai that has been planted out bravely remains in its usual place in the bed in winter. Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora), Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis) and other bonsai in XXL format overwinter outside without special protective measures. Only when there is a frost do you water from time to time if there is no rain or snow to supply water.

Category:

Indoor plants