Gikno Biloba help

This is my first post. I've been collecting and growing bonsai for several years and enjoy it a lot. My interest is primarily in indoor plants. Last year I purchased some Ginko Biloba seeds Online. Out of the 20 or so seeds I planted, I now have 4 excellent healthy seedlings. My question relates to winter care for these seedlings Missouri winters typically have below-freezing temperatures, and we are nearing our first frost. I have read Ginko require a dormancy period that corresponds to the time they drop their leaves.

I have a larger Ginko that started out as a cutting from an old tree and has lived well in a 12X4 inch oval pot several years. I have kept this tree outside during summer months, and "wintered" it on an enclosed front porch where winter temps drop into the 30's but never freeze. My question relates to the seedlings, which have spent their brief life next to a window with gro-lux illumination.

Can I grow these seedlings year round under artificial light indoors, or do I need to re-locate them in a colder area to encourage dormancy? I would like to keep them just as they are--indoors on my display shelves--if they'll remain healthy that way.

All comments are appreciated.

Arcadian
SE Missouri

Hello Arcadian. I would recomend you place them in the unheated porch. Without the dormancy they might exhaust themselves and die.

These seedlings are in tiny terracotta pots--about 4 in long X 2 in deep. Do I need to water them at all during the winter months, and if so how frequently? My larger Ginkgo stayed on the unheated porch from the lst freeze until early Spring. The first year I don't think I watered it at all; the 2nd I gave it a couple small drinks, probably in Dec and Feb. This Gingko did fine both winters, but the seedlings are far more fragile I'm sure. I'd hate to lose them because they died of thirst or were over-watered during the winter months.

Just keep them moist. If they dry out too much and you have to soak them, do it in the morning so they get the warmer cold temperatures. They will be ok, even if it freezes. Get them in the porch now, so they can toughen up before winter.

Thanks for your suggestions.

I uploaded a couple photos to your Gallery. This is my first attempt to grow anything from a seed. I hope to keep them healthy and happy for many years.

Mine do fine in an unheated glasshouse even through harsh winters with occasional deep frosts. They are tough beasties despite their delicate appearance. I'm in Zone 9.

Kevin is right about the gingko being tough. I have a friend in our bonsai club who goes on a yearly trip to California to bring back, among other plants, seedling Japanese Chi-chi gingko. She plants them in the ground and digs them up for sale after several years. Minnesota is zone 4 and with a short growing season and harsh winters. The city of St. Paul has planted many gingko as boulevard trees.

The gingko seedlings will thrive outdoors in your area but the seedlings DO NEED to be hardened off so I'd wait till next summer to introduce them to living outside then you can put them in a cold place for winter. They will need this eventually to survive since they are not house plants!

Good luck!
Norma