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The native Bonsai trees need the normal cycle of seasons: they need the rest in the winter, in order for the spring to come and for them to blossom.
Because the native Bonsai trees don’t have the deep roots their natural counterparts have, they are more inclined to freeze in the winter so they will change spots from summer to winter. The Bonsai trees need to be protected by a greenhouse (not heated) or covered with a fresh layer of dry leaves or spruce fir little branches. You can also use a white plastic foil tunnel, which does not heat in the winter sun and doesn’t stimulate the growth of the Bonsai trees. Before moving the Bonsai trees in the winter, you should check the roots. The dead ones will be carefully removed and the plant will be put in a bigger pot, with fresh soil.
Every Bonsai tree needs to be watered a lot before the winter starts. These water provisions should be enough for the entire winter, provided the placement of the tree is not heated and it is protected from the wind.
You don’t need to provide special protection from the rodents and insects to the Bonsai trees during the winter. Still, there is the possibility that, in the softer winters, the rodents would reach the tree. This is a big risk especially with the black pines and maples. As a consequence, it is recommended to protect the winter spots with a wire fence.
In the spring, when moving the plants from the winter spot, you may notice there are plants that do not grow new stems. Usually, this is because the plant got sick or dried during the winter. In optimal conditions, native Bonsai trees may live outside even in the tougher winters.
First maintenance works to the Bonsai trees should be performed right after the winter, at the beginning of March. You can trimmer the trees then, if necessary, and you may remove the wires. These operations may be performed during the winter, either. Then, you can take the plants from their winter spots for a short time and you can put them in a very cool place. After the trimmering, you should put them back as soon as possible. This operation saves you a lot of time from the spring “madness”, when you need to put a lot of work in a very short period of time. If you have only a small collection of Bonsai trees, you can do all the work in the spring.
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