Baz

Hi
I hadto move my trees from my mini greenhouse yesterday due to the temp droping at night to -5 degrees c and the pots and soil freezing I just hope it hasnt got the roots I will have to line the temp shelters with fleece or buble wrap next year

Barry
Zone8 Leicestershire England

Dav4

If you are growing hardy, temperate trees, you shouldn't worry. All my trees are frozen solid in my garage right now and have seen temps dip close to 10F. Tropicals and semi tropicals are a different story. So, what type of trees are you keeping in the greenhouse?

Dave

Baz

Hi Dave
Here are some of my trees
Hawthorn- Firethorn -Box- Acer pal - Chinese Holly- Cottoneaster- Wild Cherry-and 20 more they are all mostley Shohin native or hardy trees that I have grown myself from cuttings this is the first time in 15 years that I have been conserned about the winter storage but its the first time that I have used one of those mini Green houses eg Plastic bag on a frame so do you think I am over cautiouse

Baz

Dav4

Yes, I do think you are being overcautious to the point of potentially harming your trees. I believe the trees you mentioned will not be harmed by freezing temps/frozen soil, at least not at the temps you mention. Again, my trees, including Acer palmatums, regularly freeze solid and stay that way for weeks and even months. It doesn't bother the trees one bit. Moving your trees in/out of a heated/warmer environment is more likely to injure your trees then the constant cold.

Dave

Baz

Ok Dave
I will take note of what you say thank you for the advice it is most welcome


Barry
Leicestershire England Zone 8

Mattbonsai

Hi Barry, I know exactly what you're talking about, it has been bloody cold around here recently, with the ground not being able to thaw before the next freeze, and often the frost not even to melt, but the best idea would be to leave them in the mini greenhouse, which if its one of the ones I'm thinking off will be unheated and hold out the worst but still be enough to chill them through to keep them asleep, all my deciduous trees, Hawthorns, Acers, the lot are in my unheated greenhouse with both vents open, they still freeze, but they're protected from the winter winds.

I would, in your situation, put the trees on the floor or the greenhouse(providing its not concrete, if it is pad it out a little with fleece or old bedsheets), open the vent(s), or unzip the door, but leave it hanging so it still blocks out some of it. Just keep an eye on moisture levels, and if its gona get really cold like the reported -14c I've heard on the radio in some parts of the country, zip it up, or close the vents for the night.

-Good Luck-

-Matt-

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Baz

Hi Matt
Nice to hear from you Those Greenhouses I have are like a plastic bag over a frame with a zip front sold by many garden centrs mine came from B/Q this is the first time in my 15yrs of growing I have been concerned about over wintering we used to have a old shed in the garden I used for my shohin in the winter for protection from wind and frost thanks for the advice I put them back in the mini green houses yesterday and intend to leave them there for the rest of the winter

Many thanks to every one
Barry
Leicestershire England Zone 8

Dav4

If you are concerned about the trees, probably the best thing you could do is mulch the pots in the greenhouse. The root zone is the most sensitive part of the potted tree and mulch would adequately protect it from freezing temps.

Dave

Baz

Hi Dave
I have already Mulched when I put the trees back in the Mini greenhouses
and beleive it or not the Ambient temp came up to 8c and rain all day

Best wishes

Barry