How should I care for my Pyracantha "red cushion" bonsai tree?
A few days ago, I received a Pyracantha bonsai tree as a gift. The labeling says it is an outdoor bonsai, but the conditions outdoors in some parts of the country/world are a lot different than the conditions outdoors in other parts of the country/world! Also, the tree is apparently supposed to have berries now (in the fall), but it doesn't. The berries seem like the would look very pretty, so I'm hoping I can get them to show up this season.
I live in Illinois, and around this time of year, temperatures usually reach about 40 to 50 degrees Farenheit in the daytime and fall into the 20s or 30s at night. Should I leave the tree outside, even in freezing temperatures? I saw on a website that you're supposed to keep it sheltered during freezes, such as in a garage, but it also needs sunlight (which it can't get in a garage). It's going to be freezing all winter — where am I supposed to keep it?
If I AM supposed to keep it inside, will it still get berries and flowers?
I keep all my hardy bonsai outside in the winter, they are in a sheltered spot against a building and covered with leaves. Once in a while I check on them to make sure they don't need watered. They are semi-evergreen, so probably won't loose their leaves. If you are worried about it, bring it in when the temps drop below freezing, keep it in a cool sunny place and water it only minimally through the winter,(but don't let it dry out completely) stepping up the watering when it starts to growing in spring. If it puts on flowers in the spring, it should have berries in the fall.
June 28th, 2009 at 5:10 am
You are going to need to bring it indoors once your temps hit 50's. Read this link for indoor/outdoor care:
http://www.bonsaicare.info/bonsai-tree/indoor-bonsai-or-outdoor-bonsai.html
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June 28th, 2009 at 5:58 am
I keep all my hardy bonsai outside in the winter, they are in a sheltered spot against a building and covered with leaves. Once in a while I check on them to make sure they don't need watered. They are semi-evergreen, so probably won't loose their leaves. If you are worried about it, bring it in when the temps drop below freezing, keep it in a cool sunny place and water it only minimally through the winter,(but don't let it dry out completely) stepping up the watering when it starts to growing in spring. If it puts on flowers in the spring, it should have berries in the fall.
References :
June 28th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Wow! You're getting some strange advice. NEVER bring it in the house……NEVER!!!!!! Do whatever you have to do to keep it above 30º, but let it get down to 30º often. It doesn't need sunlight during the winter, so an unlighted garage is good. You may want to read the Bonsai Care page on my site:
http://www.american-bonsai.com . Also you will want to search for 'pyracantha' and see some that I have. You'll get flowers in the spring and then berries in the fall. Be patient. Let me know at:
wchoat@american-bonsai.com if you have any more questions on your pyracantha.
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