End of Summer

Hi all

This summer has been tough on the Australian landscape and wildlife, bushfires raged hard and fast from November and it wasn’t until mid February we received some heavy rain, and for 4 days straight. Bucket loads came pouring down causing flash flooding but also topping up our dams, not to mention my rain tank filling right up, winning!

A few of my trees didn’t make it after the repot when combined with mid 40 degree days, which is just another learning curve for me. I found water trays for all my shohin trees are compulsory when high 30s and any forecast with 15kph winds, the schedule was to water morning, on the occasional lunch break and also in the evenings.

I’ve managed to keep on top of pruning several of my deciduous Bonsai, especially the Elms and Crepe Mytles species, Junipers have had a light trim and some tight wire removed, pines have got buds where cuts have been made which is great news!

For my Australian Natives in the garden I have had 2 growth spurts over the summer, not including the initial Spring growth, podcasts from a couple of well known Bonsai Artists here have mentioned having 4 or more growing seasons in 1 year and how quick we can grow a quality tree to exhibit on show.

Propagation has slowed since I started, I am putting less cuttings down, as a beginner when you get bit by the Bonsai bug there is a natural tendency to stick every thing in the ground lol. This year I managed to get a few Clerodendron and Portulacaria Afra cuttings in just to make sure I never have nothing to work on.

Autumn around the corner, bring out them colours! Let’s grow!

Summer 2020 with tree and man