Dormancy in plants refers to a stage in a plant’s life where it displays little to no growth at all; their metabolic activities cease to exist.
It is a period during which organisms enter a dormant phase when extreme or adverse conditions set in. A plant can go dormant due to shorter days, cool or high temperatures or drought, depending on the plant.
In this post, we will discuss about dormancy and bonsai tree, in particular. Before that, you may need to understand about dormant plants and dormancy types.
Treating Dormant Plants
Plants in the dormant phase require a less but frequent supply of watering than those in the active growth stage. However, they will function at best where there’s a sufficient mandatory supply of water and temperatures to keep them alive.
Types of Bonsai Dormancy
There are two types of dormancy: seed coat or physical dormancy, and internal dormancy.
In physical dormancy, the seed cover or coating prevents oxygen or water, or both from entering the seed.
In seed or internal dormancy, seeds do not geminate even under suitable conditions like the right temperature, necessary amount of water, proper exposure in day light, and gas etc.
Dormancy and Bonsai Trees
Many bonsai trees have an essential period of dormancy in cold or more specifically in winters. For bonsai dormancy, the tree should be outside in cold months. In order to help a bonsai tree come out of dormancy, it’s imperative to keep it outside in warm temperatures under the sun. You may observe that spring is the ideal time and atmosphere for reviving bonsai out of dormancy. It’s crucial, else it will die.
How to Tell if your Bonsai is Dead or Dormant?
It will be slightly tricky to identify a dead from a dormant bonsai.
Make small cuts on the bonsai trunk or its branches in a couple of places. If you see a green layer underneath the bark cut, i.e., the cambium layer, then it is alive. If you see a brown layer, then it’s a dead bonsai, unfortunately.
Furthermore, keep looking for bonsai roots that are sagging, mushy, wet, or black. Black roots are infected roots. You may remove infected roots with a knife or blade, but ensure that you do not touch healthy roots with the same blade.
You can also save your bonsai tree by observing its leaf and trunk’s discoloration; it may be due to overwatering, less sunlight. Hence, take precautions.
You must never ignore if its branches and leaves are getting brittle. Again, the reason is less water and not sufficient sunlight or wrong fertilizer. Lastly, if you see unusual marks or patterns on your bonsai trunk or leaves, these are signs of disease or excess of pests and bugs. Clear the area to have a healthy bonsai.
We cover bonsai diagnosis thoroughly in this article, with step-by-step instructions.
Storing Dormant Bonsai Trees
There are many methods for storing dormant bonsai trees, during winter. Often, bonsai lovers place their bonsai trees in warm temperatures say around 34 degrees Fahrenheit. At the same time, others will place their bonsai trees in a garage that gets residual heat from the house.
Winterization Methods
There are many winterization methods for bonsai tree.
Winterization includes storing in shed outside, covering it with mulch, and planting it in your backyard or garden. Its roots are most sensitive to cold, as most bonsai will start experiencing root damaging at 23 degrees Fahrenheit. What’s the best you can do to protect its roots? Well, protect its roots with some insulation underground.
Or you can bury bonsai in a way exposing its bottom branches slightly. That will ensure its roots remain safe from the frost.
You can place bonsai under a shade to avoid sunlight exposure. By shielding the sunlight, you are protecting the plant not to lose water that its roots cannot replenish.
In spring, you may relocate your bonsai from the yard to its container or pot. You must do it as soon as you witness first buds appearing on branches.
Tips to Keep Bonsai Safe in Winters
- Protect bonsai from freezing temperatures, as late winterizing may reduce its survival chances.
- In severe winters, plant your bonsai under a shed or makeshift covering close to the house to foil heavy snowfall and ice storms.
- In dry winter, water your bonsai periodically only on those afternoons when the temperature exceeds 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Watering at freezing temperature overkills bonsai.
- Do not fertilize during winters, as you don’t want to aggravate growth during dormancy periods.
- Pruning and re-potting may be a process for springtime alone, the time when buds set in. That’s the best opportunity you can prevent it from stress and damage.
Protecting Tropical and Sub-Tropical Bonsai Tree
Trees in tropical groups need protection when the temperature hits 50 degrees or above. In any situation, freezing is a must-avoid situation, as not all may withstand the harsh frost. However, persistent exposure to frost can result in severe damage or death of bonsai. An obvious choice is to develop a warm greenhouse for such bonsai or tropical trees.
Many people who have bonsai either tropical or sub-tropical bring their trees inside their houses when temperature falls below 50 degrees. It’s the simplest way of avoiding over wintering.
Benefits of Bonsai Tree at Home
- Bonsai can help purify air and relieve sore throats, cold, and cough.
- Another important factor is that bonsai trees can help work efficiently in increasing humidity levels.
- Only a visual exposure to bonsai can lower your stress and stabilize high blood pressure. It can help increase your productivity, alleviating depression and anxiety.
- Bonsai trees can reduce volatile organic compounds in the air
- A bonsai tree can help reduce contamination in the soil, rugs, carpets, etc.
Reviving Dead Bonsai
The right amount of time, patience, and extra attention can help you revive your dying bonsai. Besides looking droopy, wilt and brittle branches are signs of an ailing bonsai. All bonsai, like other plants, need a good amount of sunlight, allowing photosynthesis to take place. You may ensure your bonsai get the necessary and advisable sunlight.
Other than sunlight, fresh air or its circulation is crucial for bonsai’s health and long life. Stagnant or close air space is harmful for the photosynthetic processes due to debris and dust, which in return clog the pores and stomata.
Conclusion
Like other living beings, plants also need rest; hence their dormancy is essential. In bonsai trees, its most vital for their long life and healthy surviving. This resting period in plant is dormancy; it’s the time frame the bonsai tree needs to get new life.