Defoliation techniques for Ficus bonsai help refine the tree, improve its structure, and encourage balanced growth. An added benefit is that defoliation allows you to better see branch and trunk lines, enabling improved design assessment of what requires wiring, adjusting, or removal. Wiring is also easier to perform on a defoliated tree. To defoliate a […]
So, after some time nurturing and styling your bonsai, the time has come when you think it has reached a stage where you would like to put it on display for others to appreciate what you have achieved. At this stage, presentation is very important to make your bonsai look its best regardless of whether
Repotting is not just the time to remove excess roots and refresh the soil. That’s a huge part of it but repotting also gives the bonsai artist an opportunity to dig around the nebari and see if the tree has developed more interesting roots that can be revealed by lowering the soil level. I have
The first weekend in June saw about 50 enthusiasts get together for Bonsai by the Harbour, an annual event held by the Bonsai Federation of Australia in Gladesville, Sydney, at the SHORE Rowing Facility. It’s a very relaxed event with excellent demonstrators and workshops going on over the weekend. There were also vendors on site
Everyone who participated enjoyed Tony’s workshops in early June. Tony is so knowledgable and engaging, it is always a pleasure to work with him. Trees ranged from small to large, developing to refined and all were improved by the end of the day. New skills and techniques were learned. Thank you to Paulette for being
The AABC Convention last month was a triumph for the Canberra Bonsai Society. Meticulously planned and generously executed, it was enjoyed by participants and the general public who visited the show- one hundred plus beautifully displayed trees, many in fine autumn colour. Michael Hagedorn and Jennifer Price from the US demonstrated individually on the Saturday
Leptospermum is a genus of flowering plants in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), mainly native to Australia and New Zealand. These plants, commonly known as tea trees or manuka, are small evergreen shrubs or trees, typically 2-5 metres tall. Leptospermum are an excellent choice for bonsai for several reasons: • Naturally small leaves • Compact growth
October 2021 I saw this tree at Flower Power and fell in love with the beautiful flowers. The trunk had nice movement and the price was reasonable, so it joined my collection as an apprentice bonsai. I have had mixed luck with leptos, losing four in one season after very careful repotting, including one
As always, the Australian Plants as Bonsai Show, at the National Botanical Gardens in Canberra, was a wonderful display of native bonsai. It is always inspiring to see. Below are a selection of trees with their catalogue descriptions. 19 Ti tree Leptospermum grandifolium Tree age 23 years Styled since 2004 Pot by Roger Hnatiuk The
Observations When Summer Watering Heat and water are the themes of this time of year! As we enter the heartlands of summer, watering requirements get a little wonky. Water drives a few things within a tree’s system. 1. Cooling – this function makes up a bulk of the necessity for the movement of water. 2.
