Winter Protection for Bonsai
Throughout its life, a bonsai needs special attention - at times daily care - and it cannot be overlooked if the tree is to remain healthy and grow steadily more beautiful. A prime need is for fresh air and sunshine, which can best be supplied in the open. Bonsai are usually kept outdoors on tables. This not only affords free flow of air through the branches but facilitates watering, pruning and insect control.
Periodic pruning and trimming are extremely important; if these are neglected, a bonsai quickly loses its shape, and there will be no chance to develop an intricate network of branches. New growth on all bonsai is trimmed as required to improve shape. Deciduous trees have their new branchlets shortened, and in some species leaves are cut off healthy trees to promote branching and induce a new set of smaller leaves. Evergreens may have their new shoots pinched back so that only four or five needles are left at the base.
A bonsai must be watered daily in spring and autumn unless enough rain has fallen to take care of its needs, and in very hot, dry or windy weather it may need water twice or three times a day. The tree should never dry out completely or become waterlogged because the damage caused may result in loss of the plant.
There are several ways to water. If the owner has the time, he can use a watering-can with a fine nozzle, watering each tree in turn; but a garden hose with a fine spray attachment is easier. In either case, the plant should be checked to see that an excess of water drains out the bottom hole, indicating that the soil has absorbed a sufficient amount.
Bonsai must be fertilized to keep them healthy. The tree needs good foliage colour, well-formed flowers or fruits and an intricate network of healthy branches. The easiest fertilizers to use are the water-soluble chemical compounds that contain trace elements. These are diluted to about half the strength recommended for plants grown more conventionally, because excessive feeding will encourage the growth of extra-long shoots which spoil the bonsai's shape. Deciduous and flowering trees are fertilized once a week from early spring to late summer, evergreens for three weeks in spring after their new needles have hardened and again for three weeks in the early autumn before they become dormant.
Bonsai are subject to the same pests and diseases as larger trees and shrubs. Because of their diminished surroundings, it is even more necessary to keep them in top condition, healthy and free from pests. They should be inspected frequently. Spraying with an insecticide should follow any sign of infestation.
|
|
 |
How To Get Australian Native Seeds to Sprout -
The fresh seed , House Plants and Water Evaporation of some species has built-in mechanisms to delay germination for several months or even for many years, and such seed , House Plants and Water Evaporation is said to be dormant. In the wild, this characteristic can aid survival, but before such seed , Propagating Roses is sown, it must be treated...
Organic Food -
To understand what organic , Stony Soil food is, one must first understand the definition of organic , Grouping House Plants soil since food , Marcottage: Propagating in the Air is the product , Formal and Informal Gardens of the soil. , How to Re-laminate Your Kitchen Benchtop Organic , Plant Virus Diseases soil has been defined as one in which no chemicals or poisons have been used and in which there is an adequate supp...
Great Pergola Plants -
Some great vines that will do very well on your pergola: - 'Bower of Beauty' pandorea (Pandorea jasminoides) with pink flowers , Hydroponic Systems - Aquaculture through summer, , Espalier and its cousin, the white-flowered `Lady Di'. - Mandevilla 'White Fantasy' or pink , Vegetable Garden Design `...
Seed Stratification -
Certain seeds , Moving Your Roses will not germinate until they have been subjected for some weeks or even months to low temperatures , Feeding Roses and humid conditions similar to those which occur in nature , How to Grow Orchids after they drop from the parent plant , Growing Peaches, Apricots and Nectarines From Stones and are covered with fallen leaves and othe...
Trees and Shrubs -
Trees and shrubs , How to Prolong the Life of Cut Flowers in the garden , Vegetable Weevil give permanence, shelter, shade, protection, privacy and colour , Planter Herb Gardens throughout the year. Trees , The Blackheaded Pasture Cockchafer are especially valuable both for their shape and beauty. Straight-trunked Lombardy Poplars are ideal for a formal setting, while for...
Landscaping with Trees -
Study your garden , The Illusion of Age in Bonsai area, taking note of where the sun , Testing your soil is at various times of the day. A patio , Peony for instance, could be shaded by a well positioned tree , The Home Garden in Winter in the heat , Germination of the day, but in the winter , Garden Roses time you will want to have the sun , Bush Roses on the patio, , Clay Soil - How to Improve Clay Soil so for these si...
Plant Diseases in Australian Natives -
If fungal disease , Creating a New Garden occurs, promptly soak the tray and contents in a suitable soil , Shredders fungicide and repeat the treatment if necessary. If a tool , Care of lawns in shaded areas or some other item could carry the disease , Annulas in Planters from the infected tray to others, wash off all soil , What Plants to Plant, and Where? and disinfect the to...
Bonsai History -
History shows some sketches of trees , Fertilizing Houseplants grown in pots, , Garden Roses used for decorative purposes apparently, occur in Egyptian tombs, dated to over 4,000 years old. We also can see that the art was actually brought to Japan by Chinese imperial embassies to Tang China (du...
Landscaping on sloping Ground -
The treatment of sloping land will depend mainly on the steepness of the slope. When the slope is very steep there is a tendency for soil , Creating a New Lawn erosion to take place , Sowing Australian Native Plants once the original vegetation is removed. To prevent this, plant , Growing Mangoes and Lychees from Stones species that "hold" the soil , Growing Trees from Nuts an...
|
|
|
|
