Winter Storage problem

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petea

Registered:1253548000
Posts: 96

Posted 1253584834	Reply with quote #1

I havemy first three potted trees that i will have to bring in for the winter. My delema is that i have no garage and my basement doesn't get below 65. Living in PA it is way to cold to keep on my screened in porch. Any suggestions for storing these guys hen they go dormant. Thanks __________________ Pete Allentown, PA Zone 6

cmdrzog

Registered:1202612892
Posts: 48

marjo

Registered:1244593566
Posts: 129

Posted 1253624308	Reply with quote #3

To bury them is not what I would recommend Mice, Moles or Voles like to eat the roots on figs I have lost a couple of trees this way If you can make a box big enough to lay them in fill the box with some kind of insulation do not let any part of the tree touch the box and them cover the hole thing with plastic They should do vary well That's just my opinion anyone else have any ideas I'm also interested in reading it Good luck __________________ Mario Z-5b Hamilton,Ontario

Italiangirl74

Registered:1189815225
Posts: 628

Posted 1253624720	Reply with quote #4

Ciao Petea, This is just suggestion, I don't know how it would work for you. We also live in Pennsylvania, Central Pa, yes, it is very cold. if tree is big and in ground, you would have to bury it. But, in your case, do you have an old coal room in basement? Many of the older homes in Pa have these. These rooms stay very cold in winter, if it is not being used, you could use that room. Also, I have used the attic, which stays cold enough to keep them asleep in winter, provided there are alot of strong men around to help carry them up into the attic, these are what I have to do. The coal cellar is much easier, or just let them go dormant and really wrap them good outside along a wall where it gets southern exposure, but I would bring them in if they are too young. or keep them very wrapped and covered and secured on a porch where Ice storms and heavy snow will stay off. Time for a greenhouse for us as well. Ciao __________________ Maggie Maria zone 7

Dieseler

Registered:1215735852
Posts: 8,252

Posted 1253624729	Reply with quote #5

Pete, do you have cold attic or even crawl space connected to basement that gets cool? Perhaps maybe a neighbor thats willing to stick a few small pots in there basement or if they have garage or perhaps a relative. Just throwing a few idea's out there.

petea

Registered:1253548000
Posts: 96

Posted 1253628591	Reply with quote #6

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't have much of an Attic or crawl space. I can put them at my father in laws garage but i would like to have them in my possession instead of having to run over there to check them. They are young trees. i just moved them from a 1 to 3g pot the other day. I was thinking of my screened in porch, maybe building a box of wood like Marjo suggested and stuffing it with pink insulation really well. Will this be sufficient? If i decide to put in my basement that gets only down to 60-65 what will the consequences be? Pete __________________ Pete Allentown, PA Zone 6

Bass

Registered:1188959030
Posts: 2,428

Posted 1253634585	Reply with quote #7

Are you going to permanently grow them in containers? or are you considering to planting in ground next spring? If you are going to plant them next spring, you probably can keep them in the house for winter. although they won't go dormant and will grow weakly over winter. You can let them go dormant right before spring by placing them in a cold spot for at least two months. After that you can plant them in front of your house. I would definitely remove those evergreen bushes you have. __________________ Pennsylvania http://www.treesofjoy.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trees-of-Joy/110193909021138

petea

Registered:1253548000
Posts: 96

Posted 1253635031	Reply with quote #8

i am going to remove the bushes but plan to keep in the pots. i guess i will take them to my father-in-laws garage like we discussed but i will have to keep checking on them. __________________ Pete Allentown, PA Zone 6

Dieseler

Registered:1215735852
Posts: 8,252

Posted 1253637166	Reply with quote #9

Pete, if garage is attached thats even better as it has 1 semi warm wall similar to mine perhaps.Cover with a old blanket perhaps. I actually use old bedsheets. Remember heat rises so since there in 3 g pots perhaps you can put them up a little bit if not i would put wood or something similar under them. Its debatable amongst members i give mine a drink just a little not nowhere near a watering perhaps twice during winter, last winter it was so darn cold they recieved 1 drink and it was very little. Best Luck

petea

Registered:1253548000
Posts: 96

Posted 1253642155	Reply with quote #10

how abount on top if a fridge in the garage since there is usually heat coming off that? __________________ Pete Allentown, PA Zone 6

Dieseler

Registered:1215735852
Posts: 8,252

Posted 1253655827	Reply with quote #11

Pete , yes thats wear i put a few small ones toward the back of it on the top we have a freezer near our entry to house, sure wont hurt them as i see it.

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