Clinton's Jobs

November

* Spring thus far has been very much on the dry side. Temperatures are steadily on the increase and unfortunately we’ve had a lot of warm wind which definitely should’ve kept everyone on their toes in regards to watering their Bonsai. I hope everyone managed to get through most of their re potting thus far. As we get closer to Summer the variety of trees that are suited to re potting at this point of time diminishes greatly. Some evergreen plants can still be re potted but require more thorough aftercare and observation to ensure that any setbacks can be quickly remedied. Of course with our more tropical plants such as Figs the warmer weather finds them at their element and for them the re potting season has only just begun. Refer to October “Jobs For the Month” to remind you of all the requirements that they desire.

* With the hot humid weather becoming a more regular occurrence with Summer approaching, more attention should be paid to providing plenty of spacing between trees that are prone to powdery mildew. Thus encouraging plenty of airflow around them. Trees as likely candidates for mildew are English Oaks, Crape Myrtle, Crabapples and Maples. This fungal disease creates a white discolouring of the leaves and makes them very unattractive and can considerably weaken your tree. Spray the foliage with Baycor on any sight of its beginnings to keep it in check. Also avoid watering very late in the day as this will allow moisture to hang around on the leaves of your tree for extended periods through the night.

* Growth on various Conifers should be at a substantial stage that pruning is now required. It is always preferred to pinch back Chamaecyparis and Juniperus species with your finger tips to reduce brown markings on the ends of the pruned branches. The new growth is very soft and comes off with ease. These plants can be pruned with scissors but care must be taken to place the scissors in between the segments of growth and not cutting straight across the small needles which will look unsightly. Pinch back hard where you want to maintain the present length of foliage but other areas that you need to develop and strengthen be sure to leave plenty of the new growth.

* Picea species can also be pruned back by carefully placing your scissors between the needles of the foliage. Where you want branch development cut back the new growth by half. Where you want to maintain the length of branches you can cut back much harder.

* When the Japanese Black Pine's new growth which we call a candle has the needles breaking up into two, it is time for pruning of these candles. The time of when these candles are ready for pruning can vary from tree to tree depending on the trees vigour. Development of candles can also vary on a particular tree and you should wait till the majority of the candles have reached the appropriate stage before pruning. The candles can be cut back leaving 2mm to 3mm of new growth. Where there is more than two candles coming off a particular branch keep two candles that are similar in development and totally remove the rest, thus keeping them in pairs where possible. Some of the previous year's needles on the tree can be thinned out as well at the same time. Any needles facing the ground or any long needles sticking straight up can be thinned out, thus leaving needles out on the sides of the branches resembling cats whiskers. Remember in general Pine tree pruning branches will only form where there are needles so always cut back to some needles.

* Finally, be vigilant on removing spent flowers on plants as they come to an end. The longer you leave spent blooms on the tree the more you set back its growth for this season. This of course does not apply to fruiting or attractive berry producing trees such as Crabapples, Pyracantha's, Cotoneasters etc. where the flower should remain so the fruit can form. Many Australian Natives when they finish flowering produce large seed capsules. The flowers should be cut back as soon as they near an end so these capsules are not produced. This is because the tree puts a lot of energy into producing seed and it would be better served into producing energy for the foliage. Our various natives have wide flowering periods and even totally different flowering times within a species such as Leptospermums (Tee Trees). So it may be an idea to write tags in your respective natives when they are expected to flower so you know not to prune before that period enabling flower development to occur. Most Natives after flowering can be cut back and re potted at the same time. It is a relatively safe period of their season to do this and stimulates a new vigorous period of growth for them there after.

Clinton Nesci         (Ray Nesci Bonsai Nursary)