One of the best ways to ensure decandled pines produce strong summer growth is to feed heavily in spring. Although people living in cooler climates are just wrapping up repotting season, others have been feeding their pines for several months. If you haven’t started feeding yet – and you live in the northern hemisphere – […]
Bonsai Care
The bonsai care category includes topics like Watering, Fertilizing, Repotting and Bonsai Soil. You can also find information about the Pests commonly found on bonsai, and read Interviews with bonsai professionals.
Pollen cones on young red pines
A few of my young red pines were covered with pollen cones this year. Two year-old red pine with lots of pollen cones The appearance of so many cones is typically a sign of stress. The small number of young needles emerging above the cones offers further evidence – it looks like this pine had […]
Online Store now open
As promised, I’ve recently launched an online store selling bonsai tools, supplies and soil. For the time being, I’m focusing on the basics – the essential items used by enthusiasts on a regular basis. The tools are made in Japan by Kaneshin, Silky, and ARS, among others. Over time I plan to expand the selection so if […]
Cryptomeria foliage
We usually see photos of cryptomeria bonsai during winter when the trees are dormant. Cryptomeria are usually trained in the formal upright style, and it’s through the development of the branch pads that the trees take on their character. Cryptomeria branch pads Cryptomeria as displayed at Bay Island Bonsai’s 2011 exhibit Summer is a good time […]
Summer growth on black pine
Summer is the time when people who decandled their black or red pines water and fertilize and wait until fall when the time comes for wiring and needle-pulling. Looking around my garden, I see summer growth in different stages of development and already I can tell which trees are too strong or not strong enough. […]