DavidN

This thread has brought back memories of trees that I have killed. I really find it hard to remember all of them so I am surprised how you have managed too. I have killed too many when I first started but recently hardly any have passed on. The only thing that has recently killed my trees is that one of my large Acer palmatum had vertirculm(sp) wilt. I have lost it and very saddened by it. Have lost more Acer palmatum with this disease before I lost this one.

Then again had the same disease hit another of large palmatum but this time thanks to some uselful info from the IBC and forums like this I think I have saved the tree. The rot only kill the top part of the tree and thankful it seems to have survived so far. Better than losing the whole tree.

Killed trees mainly because of bad soil mixtures. Since I have been making up my own soil I used to buy ready made mixes from nurseries. This soil was terrible. Water wouldn't penetrate the top half and the trees would die from being too dry.

Killed a blue spruce as repotted at the wrong time.

So biggest lessen learned is to have a very well draining soil mixture. This is my key to healthy bonsai and resulted in the majority of the deaths to my trees.

David