SF Bay Area Suggestions 

By Mr. Umehara

June

Early Month

Scion Grafting - Now is an ideal time to graft Satsuki, maple, an needle
juniper.  The scion is grafted on the trunk or on branches where the
branches are needed.  The method of grafting is called "side-graft."   Be
sure to select mature, new buds.  Cover with plastic sandwich bags to
protect scion after the grafting.

Wiring New Growth of Deciduous Trees - This type of wiring is done only
where it is needed for the sake of looks.  One month is all that is
needed to train such young branchlets, so don't forget to remove the wire.

Shimpaku - Eliminate yellowed needles from Shimpaku, cut back the trees
and work on jinns and wire.

Watering - Watering is the MOST important task in the summertime,  Train
yourself not only to see, but to be able to FEEL the degrees of dryness
on each tree and water appropriately.  Tag the trees needing special
attention as a reminder.

Tamarisk and Sotetsu - Training of tamarisk (parbiflora and other willows)
and Sotetsu can be done by a gentle persuasion of fingers at this time.
Upward growths being gently pulled down about three separate times will
train the branches to weep without wiring.

Mid-Month

Second Season to Transplant
Early summer is the time to transplant: Five-Needle Pines -When the
needles on new candles start to open, you may begin to transplant and
continue transplanting for a month after that.  One caution for summer
transplanting:  mix in some micorrhizae (white root bacteria from the
old soil. Missed plants - Other plants that missed spring transplanting: 
follow the spring instruction.

Insects
Watch out for the following:
* Juniper Twig Girdler - kills juniper branchlets
* Caterpillars - eat deciduous leaves
* Scale infected, pine bark aphids, chermis, moths (Primarily hits
Satsuki), and red spider mites will attack your trees Keep a watchful
eye on all of the insects and spray as they appear before they do any
harm.

Later Month

Grass Bonsai - Cut back overgrown grasses, Zebra grass, Blood grass , etc.
It will look nice in the fall, perfect to appreciate the colors

SASA bamboo - Pull the core (the center) out to control the height

Satsuki Azaleas -  All transplanting should be done by the end of this
month.  Some Satsuki variety blooms late.  Do not transplant these until
next spring in March.  However, after care must be given the same as
other azaleas.