July 2021 Dig this Sunday 18th from 11am at Sawmill Rd Creswick details below
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Repotting workshop.
I was most impressed to see all members working hard and repotting two or even three trees Thanks to Shrua, his demonstration was extremely thorough. He explained every step of the repotting process with clarity. I am looking forward to seeing pictures of the trees when they are settled in their new potting mix.
Collecting more trees.
Yvonne and Paul have been busy organising our ‘forest’ dig. We think this will be confirmed by a forestry officer later in the week. A dig is a good opportunity to collect something new and mature. See you on Sunday, regards Trevor Creswick Dig location - Meeting point is on Sawpit Road at 11am about 300mts from the Midland Hwy where a dirt road heads off to the Right. We will be in Oak Gully area behind and south of the Old Forestry Nursery
Meeting Point at 11am 300mtrs from Hwy
Old Nursery site
Dig location
June Meeting - Repotting workshop with Shrua Kristy’s notes from the day. Shrua repotted an English Elm, trees should be 3/4 developed before putting into chosen Bonsai pot, if the tree is at its set stage (finished styling) can be potted into the same size pot or slightly bigger. Shrua gave a very detailed potting demonstration some pointers are * Gutter guard is a good products to use over pot holes * When choosing a pot the more holes the better, then you are able to wire tree down * Position loops under pot to make it easier * When wiring trees in 4 wires put in drainage holes 2 wires back to each other * 2.5 to 3 mm wire for a heavy tree * Always check the roots of a newly brought tree as to not cut off to much * Fruit trees don’t go in shallow pots ( they need to grow strong to produce flowers and fruit constantly growing roots) * Type of pot Deciduous trees Glazed, Evergreen unglazed * Rake out roots cut 2/3 of roots (if you know the tree) * Allow tree to dry out a bit before repotting * Take the time to wire your tree into pot * Never place a tree in the middle of pot * Foliage no more than 1/4 out from pot * Soil mix right for your environment and variety of tree * Premium soil mix add stone scoria depending on your area and climate & how you water & type of tree * Wire tree in pull & twist, circle twirl and pack soil in with stick * Position height on how you want the tree design to look Shrua’s repotted Elm * Top dress & moss after tree has settled in Shrua positioning his English Elm below Pot selection discussion
Jan’s Birch? repotted and wired left Helen’s Ash right
Nicky’s Oak below
Yvonne’s Bonsai care notes Winter care notes You should have started repotting your deciduous trees by now. With all the rain we are having it is a good idea to shelter your newly repotted trees from the worst rain. Newly root pruned trees are susceptible to root rot and frost. You can protect your tree by moving them under cover for the first couple of weeks. Using Lime Sulphur as a Winter Wash for Bonsai Lime Sulphur still has its uses as a winter wash for (outdoor) bonsai. Mix Lime Sulphur with water at a rate of approx 1:25 to 1:50 and spray over the trunk and bare branches to kill any overwintering insects, bacteria or fungi. Rinse off the soil surface and bonsai pot with water afterwards to remove any temporary staining that the diluted lime sulphur may cause (This is purely for aesthetic reasons). I use a lime sulphur winter wash only on my deciduous trees however I understand that some enthusiasts also spray their coniferous evergreens; the needles may however have a temporary white colour that disappears by Spring. A lower rate of dilution (approx 1:25) with water is useful for cleaning and brightening the trunk of trees with smooth bark such as Hornbeams, Beech and Chinese Elms. Simply spray the solution onto the bark, allow to dry and the bark becomes a subtly lighter and brighter colour. Again, for aesthetic reasons rinse away any excess solution that lands on the soil surface or the pot.
Mixing Lime Sulphur with water at a rate of between 1:25 to 1:50 Add between 4 to 8 teaspoons of lime sulphur to 1 litre of water. OR Add between 2 to 4 teaspoons of lime sulphur to 1/2 litre of water. One teaspoon holds 5ml of lime sulphur.
Notes for the Dig on Sunday Caring for your tree after digging it up Make sure you dig the tree up with feeder roots. They are the finer roots that the tree needs to survive. Wrap your tree’s rootball in plastic to keep it moist. Put the tree in the smallest pot you fit it. If the pot is too big it will get waterlogged easily which will cause new roots to root. When your tree starts pushing out leaves it does not necessarily mean that roots are developing. Do not fertilise your tree until spring2022. Just let it grow for the first year. Water it. Bagging your tree after collection. Whilst people in Europe do this often, I have noticed people in Australia have also started doing it. It increases the survival rate for your tree significantly after digging. Here is the link to it from the bonsai4me website. It’s a video by Harry Harrington. There were quite a few people here in Victoria using this method being very successful http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/AT%20Using%20A%20Black%20Bag%20For%20Yamadori%20Bonsai%20Video.html
Happy digging
Ron repotted a Ginko
Above Photos are Yvonne's desert ash before and after repotting. Phil helped as the tree is large.
Australia Post Bonsai Stamps
Australia Post will be releasing a series of stamps on Australian Native Bonsai on 26th July 2021. They are available as individual stamps, first day covers, stamp packs, maxicards (postcards), and medallions. There are three stamps in the series, two valued at $1.10 and one at $2.70. The release notes include the following statements The Australian native trees featured in this issue (a bottlebrush, fig and paperbark ) are, or have been, housed at the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia, which is part of the National Arboretum, Canberra.
Information on these stamps has not yet made it to the AusPost website, but interest in collectibles can be registered. Or alternatively, check with your local post office if you are interested
NBPCA news - the newest members to the “Selection and Ambassadorial Committee for the Collection” have been appointed, our Victorian representatives are Jeff Farman, Scott Martin and Gerard Schoofs.
https://www.facebook.com/Moongate-bonsai-specialising-inYama-dori-992620610873220/
Goldfields Bonsai Society Program 2021 July 18th– Dig at Creswick August 15th– Painting with Flo September 19th– Pottery with Trevor October 17th– Prepare trees for exhibition October 30-31– Exhibition Melb Cup weekend November 21st - Christmas Breakup TBA Dig this Sunday 18th from 11am
BYO Lunch and a snack for afternoon tea
See you Sunday for our dig in the Creswick Regional Park off Sawpit Road see map page 1