I have trouble wintering my bonsai because I live in such an extreme environment - northern Minnesota. It is not unusual for weeks to go by without the temperature rising above -10 or -20 F below. Most of my bonsai are evergreens from this climate and, while naturally grown trees could withstand this assault because their root structure is insulated below ground, potted plants do not seem to survive for long. And yet they must go through their dormancy period over the winter or I'll lose them for that reason.

How do I winter evergreen bonsai in extreme climates. I'm tired of only being able to keep them alive for a few years just to lose them to a harsh winter. I can't count how many times I've started over.

Any suggestions you can offer, or helpful reading material you can suggest, would be appreciated.

Thanks. By the way, you have a great web site.

Arnie Adam.

Your problem is one quite common amongst bonsai enthusiasts living in climatic regions such as yours. There is one method that many people I know over the net use, which is to actually bury the bonsai - pot and all - in the ground during the winter. (If you don't want to have to wash the pot after burying you can wrap it with hessian or something similar to keep the dirt off.) By burying the bonsai you are allowing the tree to become used to the climate and retain heat through the soil - even when the ground is iced over. It is quite a simple solution and one which apparently is quite effective.

Dan