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1951 Red Pine by Andrew Edge

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. […]

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CARE FOR AZALEAS AND CAMELLIAS: Brenda Parker

At this time of year a lot of azaleas and camellias have or will be finishing their flowering period. It is important that if you want to have them for bonsais, there are a few things that you must do […]

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AUGUST’S DEMONSTRATION: John Marsh on ‘Preparing Your Trees for a Show’

As John’s demonstration had to be cancelled due to Covid restrictions, he has kindly provided these detailed notes on preparing trees for show. So, after some time nurturing and styling your bonsai, the time has come when you think it […]

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Solace by Lee Wright

I was so disappointed in missing out on the Earth and Fire Pot Sale, cancelled due to the lockdown, that I immersed my sorrow in checking out plants at the Rockdale Community Nursery. A row of $40 Leptospermum ‘Pink Cascade’ […]

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A TIMELY REMINDER: MONDO MONSTER

Working on a neglected maple forest last week reminded me of Lee Wright’s warning about mondo grass in a previous newsletter. The under-plantings in this setting were totally overgrown and needed radical thinning or removal. Military grass, violets, miniature ivy […]

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SEASONAL PINE WORK

If you haven’t already, now is the time to prepare your pine trees for their spring growth. Maintenance now sets the tree up more even candle development in spring through balancing the energy of the tree by directing the energy […]

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COLLECTING MOSS AND CREATING TOP DRESSING: Andy Bello

As bonsai practitioners, we are always thinking about the past, present, and future aspects of our trees and the environments in which they live and grow. We constantly plan and prepare for the next step in the wonderful journey of […]

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Around my Bonsai Benches by Lee Wright

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 […]

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Angle Change: Lee Wright

I got this Kunzea ambigua from the native nursery in Heathcote and lost any stying ideas when I looked at it at home. In the end, after cutting away what I didn’t feel I could use I decided to plant […]

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APPRENTICE BONSAI: Lee Wright

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 […]

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