The National Bonsai & Penjing Collection of Australia (NBPCA) recently appointed its new Selection & Ambassadorial Committee (SAC). The SAC exists to act as ambassadors for the NBPCA at the grass roots level of the Australian bonsai community, to identify potential trees for loan or donation to the NBPCA, and to assist the Curator in […]
I was so disappointed in missing out on the Earth and Fire Pot Sale, cancelled due to the lockdown, that I immersed my sorrow in checking out plants at the Rockdale Community Nursery. A row of $40 Leptospermum ‘Pink Cascade’ caught my eye as some had interesting and thicker trunks. My first subject became my
For his demonstration, Allan chose a weeping variety of swamp cypress (Taxodium distichum ‘Cascade Waters’). Native to the southern states of the USA, swamp cypress is the only deciduous conifer and often chosen for bonsai due to its fine feathery foliage, short internodes, beautiful bark and seasonal russet red colour. Usually styled as an informal
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, liquidambars, flowering prunus of all types and ashes. Bear in mind with flowering bonsai, that any trimming
Working on a neglected maple forest last week reminded me of Lee Wright’s warning about mondo grass in a previous newsletter. The under-plantings in this setting were totally overgrown and needed radical thinning or removal. Military grass, violets, miniature ivy and even Lonicera willingly vacated the pot, but not mini mondo grass which stayed firm
Last month the Illawarra Bonsai Society held its annual show. What a pleasure to see so many beautiful trees expertly displayed. The two show days were extremely well attended, showing a genuine desire to see quality bonsai after a twelve month drought! It was extremely gratifying to see so many people, both bonsai practitioners and
If you haven’t already, now is the time to prepare your pine trees for their spring growth. Maintenance now sets the tree up more even candle development in spring through balancing the energy of the tree by directing the energy away from the stronger parts of the tree to the weaker. Pines are apically dominant
As bonsai practitioners, we are always thinking about the past, present, and future aspects of our trees and the environments in which they live and grow. We constantly plan and prepare for the next step in the wonderful journey of bonsai and penjing. One preparation that can be completed any time of the year and
llan has been doing bonsai since 2004 when a birthday gift and a demonstration at the Campbelltown Bonsai Club’s show hooked him. He has held President and Vice President roles in the Campbelltown and Newcastle Bonsai Clubs and has given talks and demonstrations at numerous bonsai clubs across NSW, including an excellent demonstration on Acacia
With the sun lower in the sky during the colder months, you may need to move your trees around to get more direct sunlight. Keep frost tender trees under protection if frosts are likely in your area. To prevent your bonsai trees from having constantly cold, wet feet and damp foliage, it’s important to reduce
