Clinton's Jobs

May

* Can’t say it’s been one of the most pleasant Autumns we’ve ever had. We should never complain about rain but we’ve had so much of it during one of the more prettier times of the year and it has really seemed that Winter has arrived way ahead of time. There has still been plenty of good Autumn colour about and as usual Camellia’s have been putting on a show but the persistent rain certainly shortens the quality of all that we admire this time of year about our trees. Lengthy rain periods this time of the year really does water log the root system of our Bonsai. This is because in between periods when it’s not raining evaporation is extremely slow as the daytime temperatures this time of year do not get to any great highs. So I would suggest when you are in the midst of an extended period of rain. You place some of your Bonsai under cover for a couple of days so the root system can get plenty of air back into it and keep it healthy.

* This Autumn being a little wetter than normal may have caused delay in your re-potting programme of some of your Evergreen trees. If you haven’t quite got through it all by now I would suggest to leave it till late Winter/ Spring now for those Evergreens trees, as the cooler temperatures and wet potting mixes aren’t conducive conditions for successful re-potting of these type of plants. It is also far too early for re-potting deciduous trees. So keep the lid on your potting mix bins for now.

* If getting enough water to your Bonsai is the main challenge in Summer then I’m sure some of you will also agree that getting adequate sun light to your Bonsai in late Autumn / Winter is the other seasonal challenge. Everyone’s situation is different. But normally in everyone’s backyard there is always at least one area where the Sunlight is extremely poor in Winter. Conifers in particular will badly suffer in these types of situations and must be moved to areas where you can give them the most sun possible. Figs on the other hand can be low light tolerant and could be a suitable substitution if space is scarce. Also limit your watering in low Sunlight areas compared to sunnier areas in your backyard. If the potting mix is staying constantly wet and not slightly drying out in between the periods that you water they will be prime candidates for rotting root systems and all sorts of fungal problems. The golden rule in Bonsai is to observe each tree as an individual and not generalise.

* Towards the end of May/ early June most leaves on your deciduous trees would have fallen and accumulated around the base of your pots. If left in this state through Winter the piles will become a compact haven for pests and disease, which can infest your trees in the upcoming Spring. It is an opportunity during this time to do a good clean up in general. Benches can be brushed, scrubbed and even sterilised with a diluted solution of Dettol. The outsides of pots can be washed and wiped of soil, algae etc. that may have settled during the season. The feet of pots which usually attract green algae can also be scrubbed off to maintain optimum appearance. Spent fruit on Pyracantha and Cotoneaster’s can be removed, as well as any old disfigured leaves. Not only on these species of plants but most other Evergreen trees.

* If you are in an area where you could possibly get frosts you should start to make preparations to protect frost prone plants such as Figs. Last year here at the nursery we had four consecutive heavy frosts in a row and it burnt foliage of plants that don’t normally suffer from mild frosts such as Lilly Pilly, Serissa and Lantana. Jade have become quite popular for Bonsai now and are also venerable to frosts so you should place them where they can get some protection as well.

* Finally keep an eye out on flyers for various Seminars that pop up in Winter. There is always something new you can learn and always an opportunity to get a problem you may have with one of your trees solved. Seminars are for ALL Bonsai enthusiasts no matter what level your knowledge or skills are. It is also a great opportunity to get to know other Bonsai enthusiasts from other Clubs and share experiences and ideas. If you’ve never been to one please take the opportunity to attend one this year. There are so many positives you can gain from them you will also be doing your bit to ensure our Bonsai Community endeavours be successful and worthwhile with your valued support.