Canberra Winters

[mickaus]

Hey I was just hoping for some advice about Canberra weather conditions over winter, more specifically, should I be taking any special precautions / bringing some of my trees inside. I have read some tips on the internet, but I assume they are probably referring to colder places than Canberra

I will be on the top story of a two story apartment block and the bonsais will be out in the open air with no roof.

The trees I'm wondering about are:

- Ficus Retusa

- Jade plant

- Japanese Box Hedge

- and lastly some Japanese maple seedlings (1/2cm diameter)


Any advice would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks
Michael

[Nos72]

Theres colder places than Canberra? sorry ive had some very cold experiences during my visits to the area..

i know the Jade wont like frost but its a hardy plant and should grow back, i would try to find somewhere sunny inside or on a balcony under some kind of protection for them all.

[GavinG]

People often bring figs and jade indoors and put in a sunny window, rotated as needed. Others should be fine.

I kept my figs out on the patio last winter, covering them with silver insulation foil if there was a frost forecast, and they were OK. Ugly, but OK.

Stay warm,

Gavin

[Kyushu Danji]

Its not THAT bad over winter here..nevertheless I agree that the ficus and jade should come in. Careful with wind up there too, it can get pretty bitter during the winter.

[Handy Mick]

Bloody cold s#*t place it is.

[dragon]

hey mick
it aint bloody s@#$% cold it is just damn freezing my sister lives down there and she has got a
chinese elm would that be safe in the part of the frozen world
cheers dean

[dragon]

gday all
just a question is there any bonsai shop near ngunnawal not only cold but names i cant even say
net alone spell but it is where my sister lives so i i go there i can drop in and visit
cheers dean

[Andrew E]

I would have said definitely the Jade and Ficus need protection. As for canberra winters... Damm glad i live on the Central coast!!
Andrew

[Roger]

Michael
Good advice on what to protect/bring in.
If you are up two floors, you will exerience either less frost or less severe frost. If your building is in one of the 'flat' areas of the city, like Civic and adjacent burbs to the north, or down Erindale way, frost accumulates there (cold air drainage), but you are somewhere higher up, then much of the cold air may drain away. If your flat faces south, you will be colder than if it faces north, and so on.

Until the day temperature doesn't get about -20C you can't really complain about the weather being cold.

[dragon]

gday all
just a question is there any bonsai shop near ngunnawal not only cold but names i cant even say
net alone spell but it is where my sister lives so i i go there i can drop in and visit
cheers dean

[mickaus]

Michael
Good advice on what to protect/bring in.
If you are up two floors, you will exerience either less frost or less severe frost. If your building is in one of the 'flat' areas of the city, like Civic and adjacent burbs to the north, or down Erindale way, frost accumulates there (cold air drainage), but you are somewhere higher up, then much of the cold air may drain away. If your flat faces south, you will be colder than if it faces north, and so on.

Thanks for the advice, the unit will be in Mawson and the balcony faces West by Southwest.

I guess I will just have to be careful and see how it goes.

What signs should I be watching for with cold damage? I assume it is unlikely to kill the tree immediately?


Dragon, there is ledanta Bonsai in that area, however, I'm not quite sure what the deal is. I think it might be open by appointment etc... I'm sure someone will be along soon enough to enlighten us further.

[Roger]

You'll know if your trees have been frozen. Colour changes as the cells become a bit transluscent, and some hours after thawing may wilt. If it is just too cold for a species and not freezing, you might find that it slowly looks less well - green isn't so lush, old leaves fall off. That could happen to the fig, but if it is safe from frost that is ok. My 'white fig' (F virens) looses its leaves slowly over the winter until it is leafless before the burst of growth in late spring.

Contact details for ledanta can be found here : http://www.ledanta-bonsai.com.au/

Cheers
Roger

[mickaus]

Thanks again for the advice Roger.

I will bring the Jade and the Ficus indoors.

Then cross my fingers / keep an eye on the maples.

[Pup]

gday all
just a question is there any bonsai shop near ngunnawal not only cold but names i cant even say
net alone spell but it is where my sister lives so i i go there i can drop in and visit
cheers dean

Leigh Taffe has a Nursery he is also a member here. While your in Canberra go along to the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection in Commonwealth Park.

It is open 7 days a week not sure of exact times but I am sure Roger or Grant or Leigh can tell you.

Pup

[dragon]

thankyou pup i will send them a message later
cheers dean