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Developing Roots by Lee Wright

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 […]

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HANDY HINT- Bread Bag Closures: Lee Wright

Are we missing a cheap bonsai aid by throwing out the plastic tabs that seal the bread bags? They are easy to clip around a small branch and can help keep track of certain tasks without having a plastic marker […]

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Wiring Division

Here are some simple rules and checks to improve your wiring: Wiring Rules same angle- 55-60 degrees same spacing no gaps pairing branches to wire at all times possible Wiring Checks (for secondary and tertiary branches only) enter shoulder (backside […]

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Taper

What is it about these two photos of the same tree taken the same morning? What is the subtle but marked difference? Why is the modified style in the second photo better? It is all about TAPER, the natural progression […]

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Mondo Monster

Mini mondo grass can look nice with a bonsai or in a setting to give the right ambience but it can be deadlier than it looks from its petite size. The roots can form a thick, solid mat in the […]

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A Little Morte on Wiring

To do good bonsai wire is a necessity but some people can’t seem to see the reason. Cruel, they say. Can’t you do it another way? Not really. You have little control over the shape of a branch using weights […]

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Dothistroma Needle Blight and Wooley Pine Aphid

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 […]

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Preparing Trees Ready for Show

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 […]

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Writing Revision from Joe Morgan-Payler

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 […]

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Figs

Ficus (or figs) is a genus of close to 1000 different species which include trees, shrubs, vines and epiphytes all belonging to the mulberry family (Moraceae).  Some begin life as hemi epiphytes – seeds that are dispersed by birds and […]

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