SEASONAL SUGGESTIONS

WINTER -HOLIDAY TIME - CONTINUED CARE

By

MARTY MANN

NO. 102 - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2006

This past summer and fall has been a season of very active bonsai care. The combination of ex­cessive warm weather and the absence of cool fall nights caused an ex­tended period of bonsai growth. Most of California had this exceptional hot spell did not allow us to have an 'off-season'. Most trees just continued to grow, well into fall.

This extensive heat and growth period caused damage to many bonsai in one form or another, with par­ticular em­phasis on deciduous trees. Constant growth, without any intervening cool days or nights restrained the formation of chemical balances needed for fall colors. In addition, most of the fresh summer leaf growth suffered from the oppressive heat. Most of the leaves showed brown curl tips and frequent leaf drop. In many cases this forced leaf dropping created an un­timely pruning and actually encouraged new crops of leaves. Tender new growth, even in the deepest shade, simply could not cope with the high temperatures in spite of the high humidity that accompanied this period.

Winter moss that formed in the shaded areas around the yard can be gathered and placed in flats. Let it grow for use in the spring to dress your bonsai. It’s advisable to remove any build-up of moss that has accumulated as a thatch on potted material. This build-up tends to reject surface watering and prevents moisture from penetrating to the root mass.

Reconsider the arrangement of trees on your benches. Those that were moved into shaded areas to avoid hot summer sun can now be exposed to better light. This is an excellent time to sort out trees into first-things-first categories. Attend to trees that require winter trimming while the branch silhouettes are easy to study. Repot trees, early in spring, that show signs of being root bound. Check the rootage on all trees. Allow some surface exposure to encourage a change from soft surface tissue to the adaptation of texture similar to the outer trunk bark.

Apply Orthorix ® Lime Sulfur as a dormant spray, especially on aged or dead wood Jin and Shari areas. Keep lime sulfur away from pine needles or any material showing signs of new buds. It has been found that Lime Sulfur is also quite effective in controlling scale and spider mite infestations. Use it as a diluted spray (15 tablespoons to a gallon of water) Malathion, or Seven are best for your battle with aphids or ants. Read product directions. Apply a fungicide, such as Captanâ or a Bordeaux Copper based fungicide with Volck Oil ® for fungus infections. Avoid dripping any sprays into the root systems.

Thanksgiving and Christmas season is a very busy holiday time for most of us. Our attention is diverted and the wintertime bonsai may be neglected. This is a time of year when the admiration of the deciduous silhouettes and the general outline and form of each tree is best noted.

Look at your trees. Check the branch ramification, the crossing branches, and the overall triangular form to perfect your designs. Reduce long internodes of growth from prior periods. Study the taper of the trunk and the placement of equally balanced side-back-front branches. Open up the structure of the tree to allow better light penetration. Pinch excess evergreen growth to create tight, colorful new spring growth. Be ever watchful to preserve the health and style of the trees.

Preserving bonsai during winter months does not involve the usual attention to feeding. Conifers and evergreen trees continue to grow in the California climate. Partial dormancy requires some nourishment. A light feeding of cottonseed meal (70%) and bone meal (30%) is best. Apply food only to the soil surfaces. Foliar feeding will encourage green growth that will be severely damaged if a cold spell occurs. Be sure to remove all dead leaves, fruit and flower buds that may still be hanging on. Evergreen trees will appear to be dull and inactive at this time of year.

Think about the beauty of your small trees when the New Year and growth begins again.  Translate your potted trees into groups or landscape scenes as they are in nature.  Reproduce the feeling of a natural scene with artistic form and balance.  Bonsai is more than just potted plants. 

This is a good time to plan a general cleanup of your bonsai area as well as the trees and pots.  Clean up debris and remains of your trimming activities to prevent the buildup of breeding places for sow bugs, spiders and other insects or fungus. During the weaker sunny days of winter you can remove protective shade cloth. Rotate the trees to allow for better light penetration.