Well, you couldn’t tell from the thermometer that it’s November. We’re still in the 80’s as of this writing. We normally have our first freeze on the 15 th or 16 th of this month.

Boy! It’s sure gonna hafta hurry up to get us there…but wait…as always, Mother Nature will do her thing and we will be into the fall and winter weather as we should be.

Our Japanese Maples are still looking like their normal self of summertime. Don’t be mesmerized into believing that the lower temperatures won’t be here soon. Be a good Girl Scout and Boy Scout and be prepared. You need to think of where you’re going to put you Bonsai when two different temperature levels show their selves. 39° F is the danger zone for your tropical Bonsai. At that temperature you will see some leaf damage to the most tender parts of the Bonsai. What to do? Protect them by either bringing them in at this time or bring them to a place that might not go below this temperature for a few more days…say close to your home or some protected area. (An exception to this 39° F is the Fukien Tea Tree which starts looking sad when the temperature goes below 60° F.)

The magic 32° F (freezing) will do horrific damage to your tropical Bonsai if they endure this for more than a few hours.

The temperate climate Bonsai…say junipers, maples and others need to be protected when the temperatures get to 33 to 35° F. Many conifers will start showing a bronze coloration in their needles when the temperatures reach that point.

How we can help you with these chores

	1. Humidity trays: This will help you with the problem of water draining out of the Bonsai pot and onto a table or whatever you’ve placed your Bonsai upon. But please remember that you need to pour off any excess water from the tray because you can drown your Bonsai if it sits in the water that is in the tray.
	2. Nachi Rocks: These rocks are used to keep you Bonsai from sitting in the water and does let water stand in the tray thus allowing an area of humidity to surround your Bonsai. Remember that you need to water much more frequently when your Bonsai is in a heated area like your home. There is desert humidity there so take some precautions to alleviate this problem.
	3. 0-10-10 Fertilizer: This is an excellent fertilizer for winter time. It has no nitrogen in it so there will be no new growth that is so easily burned by lower temperatures or from lower humidity.