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. […]
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
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
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 bonsai. With natives, suckering is desirable. More of an effort is needed to create an
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 retains fertilisers and releases them when the plant needs it, preventing soil nutrient leaching. Zeolite
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 of growth has come behind the flowers, you shouldn’t repot. Chinese elms can be repotted
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 get the best possible result from his material.
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 on these plants. Her attitude is- grow lots, kill lots, learn lots. Marcela gets a
