A Member of The Bonsai Federation of Australia Inc. Association of Australian Bonsai Clubs Ltd. Garden Clubs of Australia Inc. Newsletter 93 Oct-Nov 2016 Meetings held on the 4 th Saturday of the month at Forest Community Arts Centre, Darley Street, Forestville, commencing 1.00pm Presidents Report Our last newsletter was in August just before the exhibition. Ross our Newsletter editor has been away in Europe spending time with his family and has recently returned. On his return he informed me he had a fantastic time with his Grandchildren, but the cold weather was on its way. Since that time there have been a lot of things happening, as Spring is always a busy time in the Garden and the Bonsai world. BSS Next Meeting 26 th November 2016-1PM Christmas Party Don t forget! Come and join in the Festive season. Bring a plate of food or soft drink and if you can, a decorated bonsai tree. (Reward for best decorated tree ) also we have raffles and a sales table at the Christmas party Forest Community Arts Centre, Darley Street, Forestville, commencing 1.00pm Continue on page 3 Bonsai Society of Sydney -www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 93-Page 1
Seasonal Notes Oct.-Nov. 2016 by Alex Bennett Spring is a temperamental time of the year with hot sunny days followed cold, wet and windy periods. With these fluctuations, special care needs to be taken to protect any new growth from damage. Adequate water must be provided to ensure that trees do not out. New growth is developing fast and is very soft with little tolerance to water and heat stress. Re-potting Most deciduous trees should now be re-potted. The native trees including Banksias and Figs are commonly re-potted now and into late spring. Evergreen flowering trees such as Azaleas and Gardenias are best re-potted as soon as they have finished flowering. Remember to start your fertilising as soon as they have finished flowering. Rotate your trees every couple of weeks, so all sides can get full exposure and even growth. Cut back any long shoots thrown out by deciduous trees. Check wiring to make sure that it is not cutting into the bark. Fertilising Your fertilising schedule should now be at its peak to support new spring growth. It is suggested that each fortnight you use a complete high in Nitrogen (N) at half strength with an added boost of seaweed extract such as Seasol. You can pour the fertiliser on the foliage and roots. Pay attention to any trees that were re-potted last Autumn or in Winter as their needs will be greatest. Pest and disease Remember pests and fungus can become very active this time of year. Ensure you look closely on your leaves both on top and underside. Unexplained yellowing and leaf drop is a sign you should have a closer look. Thankfully the pests that attack your trees are not rare exotics that no one has even heard of them bugs. Scale Eco oil is fine to use and also Eco- Neem oil. Read instructions before use. And use as written. The only difference is give more time between sprays if uncertain that the first spray was effective. Confidor ready to use sprayer or Confidor tablets are ideal as well. Pest oil is premixed and may have unpredictable results with certain trees. Follow up spraying may be necessary. If unsure speak to a qualified Horticulturist. Aphids, Mealy bugs- Confidor and most other commercial pesticides will be fine to use. Caterpillars- Pyrethrum and Confidor may be fine to use though picking off the bugs may all be needed. Azalea lace bug- Richgro Bug Killa granular has two month protection. Confidor tablets has 3 month protection. Curl grub- Only noticeable at time of re-potting remember to remove them from soil site when observed. Thrips- Leaf curling may be the most noticeable on your figs. No need to spray. Pluck infected leaves with finger. Mites- specific Miticides and Neem oil seem to work best. Though follow up sprays may be required. The damage is difficult because you cannot see the bug. But the damage is very characteristic. The leaves go a Bonsai Society of Sydney-www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 93-Page 2
Continued From page 2 dusky almost Khaki green. Effects junipers and pines Black sooty mouldusually an indicator of either scale or Aphids and poor location to sunlight Powdery mildewusually affects colder climate evergreen and deciduous trees particularly Japanese maple. Causation is related to poor watering, out of sequence repotting, late season pruning and poor follow up fertilising practise. These are the more common fungus. Barry Conntinued from page 1 Bonsai Demonstration Megumi and Glenda Root rot may also be common for trees root systems usually caused by overzealous watering and not re-potting in a timely matter. Usual signs are blackened soil; blackening of trunk and or branches and leaves wilting due to soil having no air to exchange with the leaves. Black Pine -finished Pruning With the rapid spring growth, it is a good time to observe your trees, notice areas of strong growth and weak growth areas. These observations can be used to start correcting any errors in the structure of your trees or to suggest, some restyling. Break the candles on your Red and Black pines with your fingers never use scissors *** Blenda Parker (IBS) Continue on page 4 Bonsai Society of Sydney -www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 93-Page 3
Continued From page 3 Grant Bowie ( CBS ) Barbara ( Trident Maple ) Alex Ikebana Demonstration Following from BSS committee Member s Bonsai Megumi Connie-Azalea Continue on page 5 Bonsai Society of Sydney -www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 93-Page 4
Continued from page 4 Jacki ( Chinese Elm ) Glenda ( Saotome Azalea Keith ( Shimpaku juniper ) Brian-Corky Bark Black Pine ) Evelyne BSS Next Meeting 26 th November 2016 Christmas Party Bonsai Society of Sydney -www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 93-Page 5
Bonsai Society of Sydney -www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 93 Page 6
The Story of my Scots Pine Alex has been maintaining and looking after my Scots Pine after my Successful bitt at the Auction in 2013 during the AABC Convention in Canberra the tree was styled by well renowned Bonsai Artist Ryan Neil at the Convention. Having a jolly good time and a Glass of Wine on the Night before not thinking how I would bring it home to Sydney in my 2-door sports car and then into my small Town garden on my own left me with a problem to solve. With the help of two friendly Canberra Bonsai Members my new possession kept me company on the front seat back to my home in Fairlight from there Alex and Brian came to the rescue to move my Scots Pine from the front seat and the Pine stayed at the nursery and with Ryan Neil s advise Alex re potted it back into a training pot 12 month later. As with Children my Scots Pine got home sick for the cooler climate and with help it was once more moved to my Country home at Mount Gibraltar and again re potted and styled by Alex and now looking great, just loving the cooler climate with Alex expertise. Evelyne BSS Management is extending their welcome wishes to our new members Denise Allan and Claudia Erb.Bonsai Society of Sydney-www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 93-Page 7