Summer Heat Spikes and Bonsai–

Every now and then in many locales we can see a blistering heat spike that is 20 degrees higher than normal. Ignoring these spikes, and not making some adjustments to bonsai, is perilous…

Tree roots are familiar with an Elysian climate below the soil surface, a moderate one, where roots are protected from damaging heat and cold. Because the roots of bonsai are not living in such an insulated lap of luxury, we need to offer them protection from extremes when they occur.

Aside from being very careful with watering trees (and even the surrounding area to bring down temps) when there is a big heat wave, wing into action with several adjustments to your bonsai benches:

move pots closer together; tree’s foliage provides shelter for hot pots

move pots into the shade; getting foliage and pots out of the sun helps tremendously

rotate pots so that lower branches shade the south-facing pot sides, which is the hot side

set boards up to shelter the south-facing slope of pots

How to deal with a heat spike: First option, move pots into the shade

Second option: Place small plants under benches

Third option: Rotate pots so that the branches shade the south-facing side of the pot

Fourth option: Lean boards against the south-facing slope

Fifth option: Pack the pots closer together, allowing tree’s foliage to shade neighboring pots

You may choose to do several of these options. Bear in mind that trees in smaller pots experience greater temperature problems than those in larger pots.

And then as soon as the heat wave passes, return the trees to their former locations. With these adjustments one can pass through very hot days with little affect on the trees.