Cape Cod Bonsai Club
Horticultural Report: 
At each meeting our Horticulturalist, Ray Perry, shares his thoughts and answers questions about training, care, and species related issues of our bonsai collections.
November - 2011
Most of our deciduous trees have shed their colorful foliage already even though we have only had a few light frosts. The fall colors this year were not as bright as seasons past. The hurricane we had in September was without the rain that was needed to wash off the salt spray that was picked up from the ocean. The salt stayed on the leaves and extracted the moisture from them. This made for a poor showing of the fall colors and many of them fell early. This tells us that it is time to think about getting our trees ready for their winter resting places. Most of us have devised our own methods of keeping them safe over the winter. Some of us put them in the ground and bury them just over the rim of the pot. Others have found that an unheated garage or shed is fine for the deciduous trees. This is fine for them as they do not require light. The evergreens do need light throughout the winter, as they are never completely dormant. I find that a shaded and protected spot outside does just fine. Beware of overhanging trees as snow loads can break off branches that may fall on your trees. Trees taht are stored under cover will need watering about once a week. Keep a close watch on them as some dry faster than others. Outside, Mother Nature will provide most of the watering. However, make sure that they never go dry. Freeze and thaw cycles are the thing that poses a danger. Shade and wind protection is necessary. Fertilizing should be discontinued after hard freezing occurs. Lime Sulphur spray should keep disease and fungus in check. Tropical plants are now sharing our heated homes and conservatories and will be quite happy there. Set them on gravel filled trays with some water will help to keep a moist microclimate near them. Spray the foliage a couple of times a day also will help.
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