Last month was one of our focus workshops for the year, working on group plantings. Two of our members participated in this activity, creating their first group settings. There was also an existing setting repotted into a handmade cement pot. This month isn’t too late to repot deciduous trees, so long as they aren’t yet […]
I took over care of a Japanese red pine in December of 2017 from a very good friend who had had the tree for many years. It is an old Koreshoff pine that was grown from seed planted in 1951. I have come across quite a few 1951 Koreshoff pines with a number living in
ACCENT PLANTS I prefer small trees, mini, shohin with a few medium… arthritis in my hands… scourge of ageing. I enjoy creating beautiful trees with these sizes but the downside is having small enough accent plants. I have started collecting succulents. They like the warm spot on my hot water heater, the ones that prefer
Apprentice bonsai can be a bit odd with the stylist seeing future growth but others seeing only what their eyes see and doubting any future. This little Kunzea ambigua is a great example. It was obviously older stock at a native nursery and priced at last year’s value. The trunk had some interest and I
Melaleuca linarifolia ‘Claret Tops’ is a beautiful Australian native that is easy to develop and brightens your bonsai bench with the new claret tipped foliage. Pruning is a delight due to the aroma of the leaves. It’s a great tree for bonsai…. as are so many natives. March 2017, I picked the stock plant up
When repotting a clerendendron I noted a prominent nebari root growing across the trunk of the tree. It wasn’t really unsightly but it was disrupting the line of the trunk and with more years and a thicker development it would become an eyesore. It has nice movement but it detracts from the trunk and this
This is a trident maple, about 30 cm tall, with a lot of potential and coming along very well but the widespread roots are not attractive and diminish the quality of the tree. I accepted this for several years (when I should have done something about it straightaway) but eventually could not ignore the need
Dothistroma needle blight is more commonly known as red tip or red band disease. To the best of my knowledge it first appeared in the radiata pine forests around Cooma NSW and is rumoured to have been introduced to Australia from New Zealand on forestry workers’ equipment used in this area. I first came into
Bending Branches Obviously the most common way to bend branches is with wire but there are times that you need to use different techniques for the sake of the health and the type of tree you have. Using corks to pry apart brittle branches (especially azaleas) and at repotting times to pry apart stubborn roots.
Anchor wire to two branches so you have maximum strength- no movement. Always use a heavier wire when in doubt. Old Japanese saying, ‘When the wind blows, the style changes.‘ Pinch last wrap and use the wire to turn-forming a coil around the branch and snug it up. Wire gently. Do not use the branch
