This year has started with some very hot and windy days and several milder ones, broken in between by stormy weather. Some of my trees have received a dose of sunburn on the leaves, with the hot sun suddenly emerging from behind morning cloud and catching me unawares! Happily, this has mainly been my Lilly […]
Clinton has worked full time in the family nursery since 1989 and holds a Nursery Trade Certificate. He was the president and taught at the School of Bonsai for many years where he shared his deep knowledge in a friendly and accessible way. There is not much Clinton doesn’t know about the care and cultivation
Summer is one of the busiest times of year for all bonsai artists. One needs to keep vigorous trees, particularly deciduous species, trimmed to encourage shorter internodes. It’s important to keep the balance between pruning and allowing for growth just right, though, as trees that are constantly cut back may lose vigour, which is not
I gave up on roses as too much like hard work and insufficient flowering. I bought 8 lantana ‘Chelsea Gold’ and planted them in the front yard. Easy Peasy. No special care, they flower nine months of the year, in flower most of the time. No pests or diseases… what’s not to like? They are
I’ve had this Ficus macrophylla (the Moreton Bay fig) for twenty years, inheriting it when I bought the property and nursery, Bibo Bonsai, in Peats Ridge. For many years it has been kept alive and just moved with me when we sold and moved to Green Point. The tree has a large base with excellent
This is a great time to bring tropical species such as figs to work on. Root pruning and styling are both possible, so make sure you bring everything you’ll need if you want to spend your evening developing your figs. Pruning the foliage and styling of your deciduous trees and conifers is also appropriate during
Hugh Grant, of Tree Makers Design, is a bonsai professional from the upper Blue Mountains of NSW. Tree Makers is a garden and studio specialising in quality design and techniques. Hugh manages clients’ trees, offering styling and maintenance services and professional development of bonsai. He also travels to teach study groups and lecture at
After a dry September, October has had a mix of showery and sunny days, some quite cool as well, but all your trees should be in active growth by now. This will continue in the coming months, and one must be mindful of keeping vigorous trees trimmed to encourage short internodes and an improved design.
The Victorian Native Bonsai Club hosted the 10th Symposium of Australian Native Plants as Bonsai in Melbourne at the end of August. The two day native infusion was well planned, superbly delivered and the delegates got a lot of facts and hints on growing natives as bonsai. The following are random notes taken during the
We have had a few new members join at our recent show, and I’m bearing in mind that some of you might be quite new to the bonsai adventure. Even if you don’t yet have many trees to work on, attending a workshop can give you valuable information and tricks to then go home and
