Swim or Sink

Kansai · 12-17-2007, 12:20 AM

I usually mulch my outdoor containers with fresh oak leaves around Thanksgiving, but I'm late getting around to it this year. Now I got caught sleeping last week by the big ice storm. Eleven degrees tonight, but the three inches of fresh, dry snow on Saturday should keep them nice and cozy.

DR

Apathetik · 12-17-2007, 12:59 AM

If your's survive, I know mine will this year.

I lost all of mine last year, I kept them in a garage that apparently was not adequate enough. However, this year I have put some in the ground surrounded by medium/fine cypress mulch or in oversized container filled with mulch surrounding the container that the soil/roots reside in.

Let me know how yours fair this winter.

Marrero · 12-17-2007, 05:28 AM

I hope you don't have any tropical under that snow. I don't think a ficus can survive that!

José

Kansai · 12-25-2007, 02:48 AM

I got around to properly mulching these trees with fresh oak leaves, but before I could take a photo we got a nine-incher. I threw in a pic of the benches just for grins. There's nothing on the benches except snow...I think....

I can't imagine what JL is going through with 40 inches.

DR

Prowler · 12-25-2007, 09:52 AM

Kansai
I have never experienced an ice storm, but i think your trees would be a bit happier under the snow.
We get what we call black ice, but that is on the roads, very dangerous you cant see it. Merry Xmas.

Kansai · 12-27-2007, 12:27 AM

There's the sun belt and the bible belt, and then there's the ice belt. I'm pretty much dead center ice belt. Most of our winter precipitation comes in the form of ice, sleet or frozen rain.

Actually the plants don't mind it a bit until it builds up around a half-inch thick. More than that and the tree limbs and power lines start coming down. One inch is widespread damage, and 1 1/2 inch is devastation. We had 1 1/2" predicted this last ice storm, but only got 3/4". The little stuff is impervious, however. At bonsai size the ice structure is self supporting. You don't have to worry about the bonsai limbs crashing down on your house.

But no, the ice doesn't hurt the trees at all. It may seem counterintuitive, but if it's ten below zero--Fahrenheit of course--a tree with a 1/4" coating of ice will be much better off than a tree without.

DR

bonsaikc · 12-31-2007, 11:58 AM

Kansai, where are you truly? What part of northeast Kansas? Generally speaking, I mean.

Kansai · 12-31-2007, 08:09 PM

Chris--I hate to admit it, but I'm in Topeka. So that explains it....

shaggybirdman · 01-29-2008, 01:46 AM

normally i bring my trees in the garage, but this winter i haven't as yet, but intend on doing it this wednesday. i'll snap a pic or 2, and post them.

Jerry

bonsaikc · 01-29-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kansai

Chris--I hate to admit it, but I'm in Topeka. So that explains it....

I see...we dodged the bullet on that heavy one, we've been pretty lucky so far, this year.

I have found that using my benches to make an a-frame and draping the whole thing with plastic is a very good temporary alternative. My trees do very well that way.

12-25-2007, 09:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
Prowler Deceased: 11/24/2008 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 361	Kansai I have never experienced an ice storm, but i think your trees would be a bit happier under the snow. We get what we call black ice, but that is on the roads, very dangerous you cant see it. Merry Xmas. __________________ Its hell out there, give them hell back.

12-27-2007, 12:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
Kansai Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NE Kansas, S Texas Posts: 101	There's the sun belt and the bible belt, and then there's the ice belt. I'm pretty much dead center ice belt. Most of our winter precipitation comes in the form of ice, sleet or frozen rain. Actually the plants don't mind it a bit until it builds up around a half-inch thick. More than that and the tree limbs and power lines start coming down. One inch is widespread damage, and 1 1/2 inch is devastation. We had 1 1/2" predicted this last ice storm, but only got 3/4". The little stuff is impervious, however. At bonsai size the ice structure is self supporting. You don't have to worry about the bonsai limbs crashing down on your house. But no, the ice doesn't hurt the trees at all. It may seem counterintuitive, but if it's ten below zero--Fahrenheit of course--a tree with a 1/4" coating of ice will be much better off than a tree without. DR __________________ Bonsai is easy! All you have to do is stare at a little tree until drops of blood form on your forehead.--paraphrased from Gene Fowler Last edited by Kansai; 12-27-2007 at 12:32 AM.. Reason: typo

12-31-2007, 11:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
bonsaikc What're YOU lookin' at? Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ottawa, KS Posts: 155	Kansai, where are you truly? What part of northeast Kansas? Generally speaking, I mean. __________________ I am the 545th best crossword puzzle solver in the world! Sashi-no-eda Bonsai Blog

12-31-2007, 08:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kansai Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NE Kansas, S Texas Posts: 101	Chris--I hate to admit it, but I'm in Topeka. So that explains it.... __________________ Bonsai is easy! All you have to do is stare at a little tree until drops of blood form on your forehead.--paraphrased from Gene Fowler

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12-17-2007, 12:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
Apathetik Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Springfield, IL Zone 5b Posts: 27	If your's survive, I know mine will this year. I lost all of mine last year, I kept them in a garage that apparently was not adequate enough. However, this year I have put some in the ground surrounded by medium/fine cypress mulch or in oversized container filled with mulch surrounding the container that the soil/roots reside in. Let me know how yours fair this winter.

12-17-2007, 05:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
Marrero Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Santana county, near the city of Arecibo, in the north coast of Puerto Rico Posts: 25	I hope you don't have any tropical under that snow. I don't think a ficus can survive that! José

01-29-2008, 01:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
shaggybirdman Maple Lover Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cheektowaga New York Posts: 167	normally i bring my trees in the garage, but this winter i haven't as yet, but intend on doing it this wednesday. i'll snap a pic or 2, and post them. Jerry

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