|
Mon, Dec 18, 06 at 4:57
| I've been growing a few Amur maple seedlings in pots for the past 2 years, and they've really taken off. I live in an apartment with a patio, so overwintering was a concern at first. I sunk the smaller pots into a large planter pot (~15-20 gal pot?), placed them into a corner against the patio wall opposite my living room, surrounded them with other planters I grow hardy perennials in, put bags of leaves and a tarp over them all, and they came through the winter fine.
What other common species could I grow in pots that could be overwintered this way? I'm thinking of trying some species of elm, mulberry, hornbeam, or juniper, as these grow wild on my dad's farm so they'd be free to test out. Any other suggestions for a really cold-weather species to try? Thanks. |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| Canadian hemlock, birch, mugo pine, a whole list of small shrubbier things like uva ursi... best to check with local nurseries though as they'll have a better idea what does well in MN. Just keep in mind that you want to look at trees one zone hardier than where you live, even if you have an unheated shed, attached porch, etc. and mulch well into larger pots (as you did). Some people get away with not doing that (the zone), but until you're comfortable about how to do what to which trees, I'd stick to the rule for now. |
|
- Posted by vancewood z5MI (vancewood@wowway.com) on Fri, Dec 22, 06 at 8:49
| The key to the question is the pot. It has been said, though I do not know the research that would confirm it, that putting a tree in a pot raises its hardiness zone one zone. You are in a 4 but your trees are now hardy only to a 5. That being said you should provide shelter for the trees. They need to be out of the wind and direct sunlight. The wind will dry them out, and the sunlight might cause them to warm up to a point where and severe down turn in temperature could blow out the cambium layer if the sap has started to rise. It would also be a good idea to mulch the trees up to the base of the trunk with something like pine bark, or some similar product. This insulates the roots and will keep them from breaking dormancy too early, that's where most winter kill happens. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Bonsai Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.