Lantana Madness by Lee Wright

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 […]

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Working The Nebari by Andrew Edge

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 […]

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Workshop Notes

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. […]

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Workshop Notes

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, […]

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Native Forest Plantings

Marcela Ferreira does not like traditional forest plantings which are usually very formulaic. She finds them ‘anally retentive’ and boring. They don’t evoke anything in her mind. Marcela stressed that the bonsai artist needs to find their own voice in […]

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What Is Zeolite and Why Add It to Your Bonsai Mix

I was introduced to Zeolite and Enfield Produce in Sydney by a bonsai mentor Rob Clausen and have been using 2-4mm Zeolite at about a 10% additive for about 30 years. As a relatively inexpensive mineral additive it attracts and […]

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Workshop Notes

September is a good time to repot many evergreens, such as pyracantha and buxus. Azaleas can also be repotted while they are in flower, although for many September will be too late in the season, as once the new flush […]

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This Month’s Demonstration: Preparing Your Trees For Show

Michael Kempson will share his tips and techniques for preparing trees to show. There’s more to it than just putting a bonsai on a stand and grabbing a companion plant. Join us as Michael walks us through his routine to […]

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A Passionate Voice For Australian Natives

Marcela Ferreira is a Melbournian passionate in her interest in Australian native trees as bonsai. Marcela has dedicated her bonsai interest in working with hundreds of natives from tube stock to yamadori and has achieved a reputation as an authority […]

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Workshop Notes

This month you can start bringing dormant deciduous species for repotting and styling. If you are planning to put your tree into a bonsai pot for the first time, be sure to bring at least a couple of pots you […]

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