March was a real mixed bag of weather conditions, as the start of autumn often is. The first half of the month brought hot weather, with three days of extreme heat in a row, actually killing a couple of my tinier trees in spite of my best efforts to save them. The second half of […]
As always, the Australian Plants as Bonsai Show, at the National Botanical Gardens in Canberra, was a wonderful display of native bonsai. It is always inspiring to see. Below are a selection of trees with their catalogue descriptions. 19 Ti tree Leptospermum grandifolium Tree age 23 years Styled since 2004 Pot by Roger Hnatiuk The
An elder statesman of Australian bonsai, John started bonsai in 1971. He was founding member of the Nepean Bonsai Society (where he continues to teach), an inaugural member of the AABC and its vice-president for many years. John has demonstrated at AABC seminars and conducted workshops and demonstrations all over Australia and New Zealand. John
This summer has not been particularly hot in Sydney. The humidity and the showery weather of late, has meant that I have had plenty of issues on my trees with such pests as scales of various types (white wax scale being the worst on some natives) and the usual caterpillars and fungal infections on susceptible
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.
What a great start to the year with Clinton as our first demonstrator. As you all know, Clinton has worked full-time in the family nursery since 1989 and holds a Nursery Trade Certificate. He taught at the School of Bonsai for many years where he shared his deep knowledge in a friendly and accessible way
This year has started with some very hot and windy days and several milder ones, broken in between by stormy weather. Some of my trees have received a dose of sunburn on the leaves, with the hot sun suddenly emerging from behind morning cloud and catching me unawares! Happily, this has mainly been my Lilly
Clinton has worked full time in the family nursery since 1989 and holds a Nursery Trade Certificate. He was the president and taught at the School of Bonsai for many years where he shared his deep knowledge in a friendly and accessible way. There is not much Clinton doesn’t know about the care and cultivation
Summer is one of the busiest times of year for all bonsai artists. One needs to keep vigorous trees, particularly deciduous species, trimmed to encourage shorter internodes. It’s important to keep the balance between pruning and allowing for growth just right, though, as trees that are constantly cut back may lose vigour, which is not
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
