每日吃瓜

Hi all! I have been doing a lot of research as I wish to acquire a Chinese elm, but before I go out and buy one, I wanted to ask a few questions, as I am relatively new to bonsai and have read conflicting opinions in regards to wintering the tree.

I live in Ohio, we are a zone 6, but sometimes it gets a decent amount below zero. I understand that Chinese elm can be kept indoors year round, but I would like to allow mine to go dormant over the winter, as most of my research has suggested the trees are happier this way. What do you suggest?
My plan would be to keep the tree outdoors as it gets colder, and once it has dropped its leaves, move into into the garage. I could put mulch around the pot somehow if you think the roots would need more protection?
How long do Chinese elm require dormancy? I could leave it dormant for the first few months of winter, and then bring it in around January(which is usually when it's coldest), or is that too short of a dormancy period?
Additionally, when is the appropriate time to style/shape the tree if it goes dormant? Before it goes dormant, in early spring, or summer?

Thank you all so much in advance!

I'm in southern Arizona, where our winters only go down to low 40°F. My tiny elm drops most of its leaves by November, and begins to bud in late January, when it warms up a little. That two or three month stretch seems to be more than enough for my little tree.

I don't think it needs to be dormant for a specific amount of time. I think it's more about the tree not wasting energy trying to grow when it is too cold.

The real trouble I run into, is keeping the tree safe after it begins to bud. If it starts to bud, and the temps drop too low again, it kills the new growth and throws the tree for loop. If yours comes out of dormancy and begins to bud in January, when it's the coldest, just be sure to keep it protected and somewhere fairly warm. Don't bring it in the house and out of dormancy, if you don't plan on keeping it indoors until the weather warms up.

This isn't fron personal experience, but I've read that a cool, enclosed garage is a great place to overwinter trees that need protection from the cold.


UPDATE: Oops! Didn't mean to be a thread necromancer.

el_cheezer wrote: UPDATE: Oops! Didn't mean to be a thread necromancer.

That is odd.. A post without any answers in 8 months!