Banksias are iconic Australian plants – the fact that they also adapt well to bonsai is a bonus. I have seen some really great banksia bonsai on display at shows in Melbourne and Canberra and cannot understand why we have not been growing more of these. Continue reading
The days are getting noticeably shorter and nights just starting to get cooler here at Shibui Bonsai. Some of the trees are responding with autumn colour. My trident maple groups were first to show colour, closely followed by a triple trunk English elm. This week more tridents are showing a bit more autumn colour and a zelkova has a hint of yellow and brown in the outer leaves. Continue reading
Today I pricked out the last of this year’s black pine seedlings. Correct treatment of the roots at this early stage pays dividends later with better rootsystems to give superior nebari on your bonsai. These photos show my methods. Continue reading
With longer summer days and temperatures in excess of 40C several days in a row the pressure is really on watering and watering properly. With the dry weather I start to notice the areas on the benches that don’t get full coverage from the watering system as a few trees start to wilt and leaves brown off. Sensitive trees are moved to areas that recieve a full share of water while drought tolerant species can manage better in the ‘rain shadow’ areas. Continue reading
This question is regularly asked by beginners in bonsai. The answer given is usually along the lines of ‘repotting deciduous species must be done as the buds swell and before the leaves open.’
For many years I have stuck with this repotting rule but recently have started to question its validity. Sure it works but is it entirely accurate? Some new information has indicated that this rule may be far more prescriptive than necessary. Continue reading
Days are substantially longer now and the nights are getting warmer. The trees are feeling it too and have started growing new shoots for the coming season. Continue reading
I really love root over rock style bonsai, especially trident maples. Well established trees have roots that flow over and flatten out to clasp the rock as if the tree has been there for ages. I have been experimenting with ways to develop root over rock bonsai for more than 20 years in an endeavour to produce ever better root over rock plantings. Continue reading