It's not too early?

bonsaial1

Ahhh.. Spring. Just the mention of the word makes one start to think of new kittens, and lubing up the lawn mower. But wait! Before you get that lawn mower in running condition since you last parked it, consider the important things first. GROOMING BONSAI! If you are in a temperate zone, you should have most of your broadleaf trees repotted, or are working on them. Evergreen trees can go for another month. If you live in snow territory this does not apply to you, Sorry. Trees can be pruned and wired. Watch for tender buds though, they may be swelling already. Juniper will like being pruned right now, and wired. There is enough winter left to set new buds for the spring thaw. Clean all those pots. Show time is near. I know that the Fresno Bonsai Society will have their spring show March 16,17. This is still a little early for maples to look their best. It is essential to have every branch wired so as to have a beautiful sillouete, just in case the leaves are not big enough. (you know, to hide the pruning scars and flaws) If you didn't cut the wire off in fall, Then it needs to be cut off and put on new for this year. Many trees are bark cut due to rapid thickening from sap push on old and tight wire. Put on new wire, and wrap in the opposite direction as the year before. This way if you did have some wire marks, it will bridge over it and not tend to slip back in the groove thing.

If this is a year that you will not repot a certain tree, then remove the moss and some of the top soil. Redress the pot with fresh topping and apply new moss. Moss looks better if you can find two or more types. Try to find some taller type to place in between the shorter types. This will add texture to the top of the plant. Lichen's are also a neat thing to use, but I have never had any "take" and they always seem to die.

Most people will say that jin liqued, lime sulpher, calcium polysulfide (all the same thing) should only be applied in summer. I quote Emeril LaGasse " who made up that rule".
I apply it all year round. I apply it every 4 months, whenever it falls. Seems logical that winter time is when the bonsai stays the most wet. I feel that the lime sulpher will help to stave off rot as well as bugs that are looking for a dry spot to take refuge.

I give my trees their first shot of insecticide on Feb. first. I follow on Mar. 15th. They get their last shot on June first, and that usaully carries them for the whole year. remember to use alternating insecticides each year. Most insects that will attack your trees are in your immediate area and dormat. When they come out of hibernation they will allready be immune to what you used last year. You want to make sure you get that pesty anthrax on the first go around.

Well, that about tears it. If you get that list done in the next twenty days, you will ready for spring. I can't hardly wait..
Best regards, Bonsaial

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mskovan

Wow dude,
California really is on another planet. I just finished shoveling the first foot of snow off my driveway. Thanks for the tips though, I'll be sure to read them again in three months. Sorry, is my envy showing?.....Mike

Dang it Al! You about gave me a heart attack with that lubing up the lawn mower stuff. I've got til mid march at least before I need to worry about that. Thanks for jogging my old memory though. I put a juniper into winter storage with not much growing room left in the wire loops. It will be the first to wake up too, so I better get that off pronto.

Tony

TreeBay

Punxsutawney Al must not have seen his shadow when he got up this morning

He is right that when you have a lot of trees you need to start the repotting process as early as you can to keep up with all the work. Everyone's climate is a little different, though.

My Japanese Flowering Apricot [i:884e940d76]Prunus mume[/i:884e940d76] is at the peak of its bloom right now. That means it is ready to be repotted in the next couple of weeks, any longer and it will be pushing leaves. That is, unless it is hit by frost during that time.

Wisteria flowering is said to be an indicator of the best time to repot Japanese Black Pine. Most wisteria flower twice a year. Once in spring and once in late summer. In Japan, they do graft and repot successfully during that summer period, but it is exceptionally hot and humid there at that time.

No such luck here in San Jose.

Regards,

Matt

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DeadLeaves

AL...AL...AL..
You make me so happy that I live in Sunny, Southern California. I am so excited, this is my first Spring with my Bonsai. In a couple of weeks, I'm doing a root over rock on a Chinese Elm. I know it will be a year, before I know if it takes, but I have acquired patience since starting this hobby.

can you tell I'm excited.

DeadLeaves