This summer, we have had quite a lot of rain and cooler days than is normal for this time of the year. We have also had COVID 19 restrictions in place, possibly limiting the movements of many of us during the holiday season. I’m sure this has given most of us more time and motivation […]
Summer is a very busy time for the bonsai enthusiast. For many species, spring growth will continue and one must be mindful of keeping vigorous trees trimmed to encourage short internodes. Watering is the most important task during summer, because lack of it and hot weather can mean high fatality rates, especially in miniature trees
During November, spring growth will continue and one must be mindful of keeping vigorous trees trimmed to encourage short internodes. Fast growing trees can be trimmed back to two leaves per branchlet, whilst less vigorous to four leaves. Australian natives can be pruned relatively hard after flowering. I have just come in from spending the
Spring has most definitely sprung, and this is the time when most growth happens on the trees in our bonsai collections. Watering should now be done daily, unless rain occurs. Check afterwards that the soil is moist and the rain has penetrated the soil, as showers combined with wind may mean that you still need
It has been a pleasant start to spring, with a little rain and warmer days. Your deciduous trees will be coming in to leaf (if they haven’t already) and you should have enjoyed some blossoms from such plants as prunus, crabapples and flowering quince. Hopefully, by now you will have completed, or be close to
We are starting to get some warmer days, although there are most likely some cold nights still to come. For this reason, any newly trimmed or repotted trees need protection from the weather, particularly if fresh, soft new growth has started to appear. If any of your plants are showing signs of frost damage with
Now winter has well and truly arrived and it’s time to get going with the repotting of deciduous trees, if you haven’t already started. Some of the species you should be working on include crabapples, maples, elms, wisteria, flowering prunus of all types and ashes. Bear in mind with flowering bonsai, that any trimming you
As Covid-19 restrictions are gradually being lifted, do we really want to go back to working away from home? Can we tear ourselves away from our gardens and our bonsai collection? Has this time period changed the way we think and the way we live? It will still be some time before things return to
What glorious weather we have had so far for autumn. During lockdown I have been busy repotting some of my evergreen species (not conifers) and generally tidying up the area out the back where my collection lives. It’s amazing how much gravel and general debris can build up under the benches when you’re not looking!
We are certainly living in interesting times, with most of us confined mainly to home as a result of COVID-19. What a great opportunity to get out among your trees and give them the attention they have possibly lacked over the very hot summer months. Most of us have probably lost at least a few
