It’s been a wet and cool summer so far. For me this has meant that it’s been quite pleasant to spend time outdoors working on my trees. Sadly though, it’s also meant that I have plenty of weeds to attend to if I can’t find something better to do! Some days (and nights) have been […]
The National Arboretum Canberra (NAC) and the National Bonsai & Penjing Collection of Australia (NBPCA) are pleased to announce the appointment of our inaugural NBPCA Patron. Congratulations and welcome to the team, Mr Lindsay Bebb. Mr Bebb’s profile within the global bonsai community will assist the NBPCA achieve its aspirations and strategic goals at an
Have this charming little privet, all of 16 cm high. The trunk has great movement, showy roots and a mushroom top. What more can you ask for? The problem was, the roots were getting too big and the top had nowhere to go/grow. There was bar branching but it wasn’t in your face so it
The bonsai pictured below is believed to be the oldest tree in Australia to have been grown and designed specifically for bonsai that is still alive today. It was kindly donated to the National Bonsai & Penjing Collection of Australia (NBPCA) by Dorothy Koreshoff and was originally grown by her late husband Vita. Vita arrived
Michael gave an excellent demonstration last month which was much enjoyed by all present. Using an old yamadori olive with terrific exposed roots (Neagari) that he collected 4-5 years ago, Michael walked us through the process of getting collected material to this stage and then where to go next. When collected, this tree was growing
We have had a very wet and cool spring in Sydney this year, but conditions are likely to change very soon, with (hopefully) many hot, sunny days ahead. Summer is a very busy time for the bonsai enthusiast. For many species, growth spurts will continue through the season, so one must be mindful of keeping
Lovely trident, upper structure well developed and ramification coming along very nicely. But the nebari looked like two legs doing the splits. A couple of years ago I cut a path all along the front nebari, brushed on rooting hormone and covered it up. A few roots developed but grew straight down. Which, while understandable,
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. I have come across quite a few 1951 Koreshoff pines with a number living in
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. Lockdown this year has meant that I ‘almost’
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 straight after they flower. Cut off all the old dead flowers and seed pods. Trim
