Indoor Bonsai Survival
Some bonsai eventually must be brought
indoors, if they are tender tropical plants which cannot survive winter
outdoors. Also, situations may force hobbyists to keep their trees indoors
year-round.
First, make the right choices for bonsai
based on your situation.
For whatever reason bonsai must be indoors,
an attempt must be made to supply an environment to which they are adapted
and in which they will thrive --- or at least survive. One can create a
"micro-climate" with sufficient light, humidity, and warmth for
the bonsai.
For a few smallish bonsai, a small area
can be set up as below:
- The three-sided wall can be of cardboard or as decorative as you like.
Its purpose is to partially enclose a volume around the bonsai to hold
humidity. A light color is best, for light reflectivity. Remove the wall
at night for air circulation, or if near a cold window, reverse the wall
at night.
- The pebble tray is a source of moisture for the area, as well as a
convenient draining spot after watering. The pots rest on the pebbles,
above the water in the tray. Rinse out the pebble tray weekly
to keep it fresh.
- Mist foliage frequently during the day to increase humidity, as well.
- Table placement is preferable away from heating/cooling air vents.
- The lighting arrangement is flexible; use what you can. Flourescent
lights can be positions very close to the trees for maximum lighting, as
they are cool.
For those with a larger indoor collection,
something like below may be necessary:
- Paving blocks are easier to deal with than gravel for cleaning, moving,
etc. Area has to be cleaned (shop-vac?) occasionally.
- The plastic tray is constructed from plexiglass sheet and angled, clear
"wall corner protectors", cut to length and silicone-cemented
to the plexiglass bottom around the edges. All available at large hardware
stores.
- Tilt the base with wood pieces toward one corner; a drain tube or fitting
is silicone-cemented to a hole in the tray wall.
- Plastic sheeting stapled to and hanging from the wooden T's increase
humidity. If it's cut to precise length, it can be attached on the inside
of the T's and rested inside the tray, controlling splashover when watering.
- The styrofoam sheet may or may not help pots and roots stay warmer
in winter. I had some, so I used it.
- Large flourescent "shop-lights" are set across the T's (or
alternatively hanged from the ceiling above). The height of the T's depends
on the size of one's trees. Plug lights into a "power strip",
and, if desired, a timer. Additionally, a couple of incandescent light
bulbs or spotlights (not shown) can be mounted to the top of the T's, but
at a safe distance from foliage, for more light, and they act as little
heaters during the winter.
The next larger-sized micro-climate is
called a "greenhouse".
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