what would be best to mulch with?

(sorry for the amateur questions)

Ben Griffin wrote:
I live in california zone 10 we got hit by an cold front from alaska for
2 nights. One night was 31 degrees overnight the other night was 38.
I brought in my bourganvillea the next day. I put it under my metal
halide light gave it fish seaweed last week, and dyna grow grow this
week. Along with a tiny bit of superthrive "whether that product works
or not is another topic". Its around 60 years old has a carved out
trunk and has been in my care for 10 years. During these two weeks it
dropped 95 percent of its leaves. The remaining leaves are doing well
and are showing no signs of falling off. I have a humidifier warm mist
aimed straight at it all day to emulate a more tropical condition. I'm
keeping the humidity around 80 percent for it. And the metal halide
light is on for 10 hours a day. I've seen no new growth yet so im
worried about it. I used to live in new york city zone 7 i never let
it get below 40. It would loose its leaves and recover rapidly. I'm
worried now that the branches although they are not young were shocked
by the 31 degree weather. There are flower buds but they arn't swelling
and i have seen no new signs of growth. I'm thinking about drastically
cutting back the branches. Bourganvillea planted in the ground here is
evergreen and flowers all year. I think you should definitely mulch
the pot. If i were you i would bring it inside. I've done the same
thing every year but i thought out here it could stay out year round i
was wrong. Before as soon as temps hit 40 it would come inside loose
90 percent of its leaves and recover but this time im not so sure.

The good news about the hard frost out here was that my european larch
changed color and browned its needles. I had been told this tree was
ungrowable in this climate. Also my cork bark elm is changing color
which i didn't expect to happen. Its a much more beautiful color
change then i ever saw in NY. I think you can take at least 2 zones
off ever zone you live in for a potted bonsai. So i would say your
more like zone 7. My recommendation is get it inside or into a
controlled greenhouse.

I'll post an update on the list if my bourgie sprouts back out from its
older branches. Or if it doesn't.

Anyway best of luck

Ben

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