Happy New Year! In the spirit of seasonal celebrations, here are some highlights from the 34th annual Taikan-ten. The photos are courtesy of Boon Manakitivipart. Boon has generously offered to share some photo highlights from his recent visit to Japan, and what better place to start than the Grandview Bonsai Exhibit held each November in Kyoto, Japan. Thanks Boon! […]
Search Results for: pine
Stealthy pests – root aphid and adelgid
With some pests, no matter how closely one looks at the foliage, no signs of active infestation come to light. Slide the same tree out of its pot and it’s another story. Root adelgid on young black pine roots Root aphids and adelgids are insects that feed primarily on their hosts’ roots. There exist numerous […]
Spider mites aren’t insects
Rather, they are members of the arachnid family. Here’s what they like: Hot, dry and dusty conditions Stressed trees Insecticides (they kill mites’ predators) If possible, avoid these. Left unchecked, spider mite infestations can severely damage bonsai. Although they are too tiny so see clearly without magnification, their damage is identifiable when you know what to look for. […]
Adelgids
Have you ever seen small white spots accumulate at the base of needles or buds on black pines? On other conifers? If so, you’ve likely seen adelgids. See the small white spots just above the bud? Adelgids are a cousin of sorts to aphids. They are also known as pine aphids or wooly conifer aphids as […]
Sooty mold
You’ve likely seen it – that dirty, cruddy stuff in your garden, on street trees, and on your bonsai. It has a name – sooty mold. Sooty mold on camellia Although it can look creepy up close, it’s not among the more harmful garden pests. Sooty mold is fungus that grows on the honeydew secreted […]