Being the first month of winter means it’s the first of three ‘bench sprays’ with diluted lime sulphur over the next three months. I like to do any spraying on the first weekend of the month. That way I remember to do the task and it just becomes part of the winter monthly routine. Mix […]
Once again, Clinton Nesci gave a most interesting demonstration using Australian natives to create literati trees. Species like the Australian tea tree (Leptospermum ‘Mesmer Eyes’), Tick bush (Kunzea ambigua) and Heath myrtle (Baeckea virgata) lend themselves well to the literati style as they are elongating species with lovely rough, deeply fissured or flaky bark, small
Well known bonsai nurseryman, Ashley Brown has been surrounded by plants all his life. He started his horticultural career in 1985 working for one of Australia’s largest propagation nurseries and has owned nurseries since 1993; as a result, there are not many species with which Ashley is unfamiliar. In 2005, he moved to Jililby and
Autumn is well and truly on us now, with cooler nights and crisp mornings. We’ve had a lot of showery weather of late, so watering thirsty trees has probably not been a priority like it is in summer. Keep your bonsai in full sun if possible at this time, as this, combined with cooler nights,
Chinese sweet plum or Sageretia theezans is a subtropical evergreen, native to China and Japan, often used in bonsai particularly throughout southern Asia. Sageretia have small, attractive, bright green, oval leaves and lovely leathery multi-coloured bark, not unlike Crepe Myrtle. The yellowish/ white flowers are very small and almost inconspicuous. Sageretia gets it common name
Last month, Tony chose cedar from the display table to work on. He likes the tall, graceful style of literati trees and this was an elegant tree in need of a new eye and some refinement. Tony’s plan was to reduce the foliage all over the tree but particularly the apex, wire primary branches to
While the weather remains warm, it’s a good time to repot many species, particularly evergreens like pyracantha, cotoneasters, olives and star jasmine etc. Recently repotted trees will need protection if the nights suddenly become cold within the first couple of weeks after repotting. You should leave any recent growth on deciduous species for now, waiting
Last month, Andrew discussed Tanuki or ‘Phoenix Graft’ bonsai- a technique in which a living tree is joined to an interesting piece of dead wood. In Japanese folklore, a tanuki or racoon dog is a mischievous yokai (Japanese ghost or spirit) that plays tricks on the humans around it but is harmless to them. Cape
Don’t miss this month’s meeting with Tony Bebb as our demonstrator. What an opportunity to see one of Australia’s best demonstrators in action. As always, visitors are welcome.
Late February has been a lovely time for working on our bonsai, with a return to warm and pleasant sunshine and occasional rain. The days are still warm, so keep up with the watering and feeding, taking particular care if it’s windy, as this can dry out the potting media very quickly. Keep an eye
