Getting A Tree Ready For A Show

Leesa

Thanks Rip for your comments - I liked the "before" - but I could not tell you why. I appreciated Al's comments on his understanding of your comments and how he planned to address it. Hope it makes it to the show!

Al stated "This years fertilizer regimen has made some of my trees respond way past my expectations". This is not neccessarily a bad thing - but for those of us who are giving the cr@ppy backyard smell fertilizer regime a try- any additional suggestions?

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Respectfully, Lee Sanner

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GaryS

Al,

Don't get me wrong, I think it's a contender. I wish I could see it at the show!

Lezza,

As far as this type of juniper and my trees in general are concerned I personally like to use
some osmocote time released fertilizer in the Spring along with a weekly feeding with a liquid at half strength such as Shultz's 10-60-10. It doesn't have as much nitrogen as some of the others. I think they sell it as "Bloom Plus". In the summer I use it too along with some organic fish stuff. In the Fall I go to the fish stuff with some extra Phosphorous and Potassium.

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GaryS

bonsaial1

Leesa, The only thing I will modify for next year, would be the dosage I will give some of my more "finished" bonsai. If you have the time for pinching then by all means fertilize away. For me I will continue the same method on my container stock. I have seen more growth on my shimpaku than ever before with this regime. I plan on styling a few sooner than I hoped for. I only hope the new shimpaku I bought responds with the foliage growth that the others did, and I will be most pleased.

Bonsaial

ripsgreentree

Leesa: Fertilizing is something that is necessary with Bonsai if you hope to keep them healthy. The problem is that, like watering, everyone has their own opinion and methods. Here is what I suggest for you to think about: in the spring you have your heaviest growth, so feed heavily..miracle grow or something ballanced 20-20-20. In the summer when it is hot your trees will try to shut down you do not need a strong fertilizer, so switch to organics like fish emulsion 5-1-1. In the fall, your trees will grow again but will not need nitrogen, so use full bloom which is
0-10-10. This will help your trees to store the energy that they will need in the spring. This sounds complicated, but is not. The most important thing to remember is that trees will only use what they need and so more is not better. Feed your trees a weaker solution more often so that when your trees want fertilizer it is present. Also to much fertilizer can be harmful to your trees, so again less is better.

I hope that this helps.

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ripsgreentree

It requires an open hand to give and to recieve.

bonsaial1

One last tree to get ready for the show in Tulare, Cal. I trimmed this elm forest for the last time. I have been nipping for the last month or two to try to keep it in shape with fresh small leaves. Just need to touch up th pot with Mink oil and it will be ready. Now.... What did I do with the 4'x2' stand after the last show?

Attached Images

nipin.jpg (61.8 KB, 137 views)

GaryS

Al,
If you have a basement it's probably down there!

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GaryS

bonsaial1

No basement, But I found it under the bed in the guest bedroom!