每日吃瓜

Hey all! I am pretty new to bonsai, but I do have a background in arboriculture, as I am an arborist.

My question just revolves around a new set up that I have been planning for some time. Not even sure if it will work so great, but I am hoping!

I have two Larix laricina seedlings I started this spring (pics attached) and I am thinking it's time to move them into their new home.
I bought a large glass cloche that measures about 15" tall (also attached) and I am planning on moving these two babies into a new set up.

2x Larix laricina about 5" tall, seeded in March.
每日吃瓜 base is a 3" deep metal container with holes in the bottom.

I have some questions I would greatly appreciate insight on.

1. Best soil mix? I have lava pebbles with potting soil, perlite, and moss. Some sand too as I know these trees like loamy soils. Any advice on this would be great.

2. I know these trees need a dormancy phase and that would only really work in an outdoor set up, do you foresee any issues with this? I do not have a balcony space so this isn't really an option. Is there any way you can force a tree into dormancy without outdoor temps. I know these trees are quite naturalized to very cold temps. I do have a schefflera that could alternatively go into this setup since they LOVE humidity and don't have dormancy periods.

3. Any other general info you can share when setting up these types of interior enclosed set ups. I was thinking about adding pebbles beneath the soil enclosure to enable more moisture evaporation.

Alternatively as I said, I have a schefflera that I think would be even more suited for this set up, but I just love Tamaracks so much, I'd really love to see it work out for the Tamarack.

Thank you!

I live in Alabama where we get a few days below freezing every year. I killed a couple of larches because they didn't get the long periods of cold they have evolved needing. I have heard of wintering in a freezer, but i have doubts about that. You would have to do something to prevent freezer burn.

Good luck.

For clarity, I am in Toronto, Ontario.

dscheenaard wrote: 1. Best soil mix? I have lava pebbles with potting soil, perlite, and moss. Some sand too as I know these trees like loamy soils. Any advice on this would be great.

Sounds OK to me, but I would mix it more free draining, like Peat+Perlite, Lava Rock and Pumice. I don't like the idea of having moss as a soil component.

dscheenaard wrote: 2. ...only really work in an outdoor set up, do you foresee any issues with this?

Being in Ontario and having Tamaracks indoors will be very difficult on them.
I imagine them inside a glass jar, in a very humid environment, with high temperatures from the heating system...
I don't see how it could work, growing temperate trees like they were tropicals.
But if you do try, please post the results here!

I'm likely to repost and ask these questions regarding my Schefflera instead now

Thank you for the info, everyone!