Are you experienced?

[Bonsai Nut]

I am surprised. You mentioned in a post recently that you live closer to the coast which provides the moisture in the air that we miss in the central valley. Pines love the heat and will grow good looking foliage and seem to thrive, but moisture laden air is missing which the needles prefer. Weak lower branches is common though I have no idea about the grafts. people have told me that grafted trees will sometimes live for years and then for some reason the graft union gives up.

For now I am putting it down to "user error". I believe I waited too long on the cork barks to repot them, and they were a little weak last summer (which is why I knew I needed to repot NOW no more procrastinating). And then I moved too aggressively.

The ones that suprised me were the yatsubusas. These are prolific black pines and bud back stronger than any cultivar with which I am familiar. Of the two that I repotted in early December they both crashed - HARD. One still has a few needles and buds so I am hoping I MAY be able to save it. The other is in a landfill. I have two new yatsubusa that I purchased and then repotted in early January. They look awesome. Not a single sign that they were ever repotted.

 

[Smoke]

After recently posting a repl;y in a thread about snow, t seems I may have missed that it is still febuary in parts of the country. If you still are buried in 8 feet of snow with more to come this weekend, I apoligise for the rant. You are excused.

The rest of you that share a 11 month growing season like I do, get busy and start posting some pics of your trees with leaves coming out, there are people with snow that won't share your experience until I have defoliated twice...Bwahhh hahahah, oh crap my shorts fell down..

Ghidorah-1 getting repotted right now as we speak.

 

[Don Blackmond]

Its still winter here. A blizzard, in fact. Its supposed to be 6 below zero tonight. They are predicting about 6" of snow but we have 40 mph wind so all the roads are already blown shut. Even I94 is closed down right now.
So, Al, while you're watering and mowing your lawn there, we are snow-skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and flat out loving life in God's country. I'll take 4 seasons over 1 season, thank you.

 

[JudyB]

I'm with you Don, I love the seasons... even winter. Crazy windy snowing blizzarding negative digit day that it is here too. Just made it into work, the trip home should be interesting late tonight.
But for all that, I wouldn't give it up for eternal summer.

But yes we who are weeks yet away from spring, would love to see some leaf pictures, thank you Al for sharing yours! lovely always leaf buds.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Spring pics...

Chinese elm popping growth all over:



Seiju starting to pop:



Orange trees going nuts:



Peaches starting to bloom:



Bougainvilleas doing what bougies do best:

 

[Don Blackmond]

btw Al, thanks for the suggestion. Now I know what I'm going to listen to when I get back into the greenhouse in a few minutes. Much appreciated.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...&mid=4FEC19C2FCC698698A604FEC19C2FCC698698A60

 

[CWTurner]

View attachment 67503

Smoke, just so Ya know some of us "Beginners" are listening. This is my box on its 3rd spring of training. Things I have learned here---look close to see--trimmed back new growth to encourage back budding and smaller leafs, wiring still on one branch, bending clamp slowly bending old growth, lead weight hanging on new limb, many! guys, a blue tie wrap to remind me this branch broke last year, a "correct" soil mix new this spring and Ya cant see the training pot (5gal bucket bottom) is now 4"deep. Many new folks may be hesitant to show their progress because they don't feel it is of any note. And I DO appreciate all the help!

Atrox,

Atta boy, way to show that Box who's boss.

You know that pic is going to raise the hackles of outsiders who call bonsai tree-torture, right?

CW

 

[Smoke]

btw Al, thanks for the suggestion. Now I know what I'm going to listen to when I get back into the greenhouse in a few minutes. Much appreciated.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...&mid=4FEC19C2FCC698698A604FEC19C2FCC698698A60

Thanks you get my drift, Hendrix was my first song posted to Blues Monday on my blog. Little Wing probably one of the best songs I ever heard from Hendrix. he was truly a Rock God.

 

[Bunjeh]

You are missing the point.

I know it makes people feel al proud when they get to type into a reply to someone over their head, "I resent the condescending tone" but you have to live by what it is you do in your own backyard and what it is that you do to your own trees. There are hundreds of articles about chopping trees for taper, I know because I have written dozens of them. My rant has to do with cutting it, posting it and let the chips fall where they may. You will either get an atta boy or someone will tell you did it wrong, either way YOU will have done it and that should be good enough, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. But when they do, and you defend it, you will have a condscending tone. Thats just the nature of the beast!

Smoke, I get your point. I have no idea who you are. For all I know you may be an oracle. But none of us are out here looking for self validation through social media or "atta boys". We are looking for guidance. As you mentioned there are dozens of articles,..maybe hundreds on how to build taper. I have read them and many contradict one another. Type "best bonsai soil" into google and see what it gets you. In the interest of soliciting actual advice, I posted the thread. The beauty in a forum like this is that you can put yourself "out there" for validation or ridicule,..but either way you learn and you potentially learn from the best and then you take that advice an put it into practice.

Now, when you say "I know it makes people feel al[l]proud when they get to type into a reply to someone over their head" what exactly do you mean? Are you suggesting that some how those of us who are experiencing rather than experienced are beneath you?

Not trying to blow "smoke" up your ass,..but you should look up the definition of humility. It's a great interpersonal tool. You should try it.

 

[Smoke]

Its still winter here. A blizzard, in fact. Its supposed to be 6 below zero tonight. They are predicting about 6" of snow but we have 40 mph wind so all the roads are already blown shut. Even I94 is closed down right now.
So, Al, while you're watering and mowing your lawn there, we are snow-skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and flat out loving life in God's country. I'll take 4 seasons over 1 season, thank you.

You forget that the tallest mountain in the US is fifty miles from my house. I have all that too, I just don't have to live in it.

 

[crust]

Smoke, I get your point. I have no idea who you are. For all I know you may be an oracle. But none of us are out here looking for self validation through social media or "atta boys". We are looking for guidance. As you mentioned there are dozens of articles,..maybe hundreds on how to build taper. I have read them and many contradict one another. Type "best bonsai soil" into google and see what it gets you. In the interest of soliciting actual advice, I posted the thread. The beauty in a forum like this is that you can put yourself "out there" for validation or ridicule,..but either way you learn and you potentially learn from the best and then you take that advice an put it into practice.

Now, when you say "I know it makes people feel al[l]proud when they get to type into a reply to someone over their head" what exactly do you mean? Are you suggesting that some how those of us who are experiencing rather than experienced are beneath you?

Not trying to blow "smoke" up your ass,..but you should look up the definition of humility. It's a great interpersonal tool. You should try it.

Smoke is kind of an "oracle" and he looks darn fine in a thong too.

 

[Smoke]

T

Smoke, I get your point. I have no idea who you are. For all I know you may be an oracle. But none of us are out here looking for self validation through social media or "atta boys". We are looking for guidance. As you mentioned there are dozens of articles,..maybe hundreds on how to build taper. I have read them and many contradict one another. Type "best bonsai soil" into google and see what it gets you. In the interest of soliciting actual advice, I posted the thread. The beauty in a forum like this is that you can put yourself "out there" for validation or ridicule,..but either way you learn and you potentially learn from the best and then you take that advice an put it into practice.

Now, when you say "I know it makes people feel al[l]proud when they get to type into a reply to someone over their head" what exactly do you mean? Are you suggesting that some how those of us who are experiencing rather than experienced are beneath you?

Not trying to blow "smoke" up your ass,..but you should look up the definition of humility. It's a great interpersonal tool. You should try it.

Humility is for the weak and timid. You want to learn then do it. You can keep asking questions, makes no difference to me. All you humility seekers have run off anyone that could help. I can think of two recently that were real buggers to deal with. They were bulldogs in the way they conducted themselves here. I don't wish to argue with people, but people seem to have a need to tell people they are rude. I am so whats your point. Sawgrass is not here anymore, nor is Poink. They were bulldogs, and I challanged them, and they worked hard and they got better. Then they became condescending when challanged and everyone got in a tizzy and they left. Now you have no one to help you. I have yet to see a picture of your tree or if you even have one to chop. What gives?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

As far as bonsai soil goes, if you want to see arguments, look up "best soil for growing wine grapes".

They all say the same thing - drainage is key - and loose soil improves root development and depth of rootage. However people grow excellent wine grapes in places with some of the worst soils. They learn to compensate. They adjust based on the micro-climate, the slope, the sun, and a hundred other factors. In my opinion there is no such thing as a "best" bonsai soil. It depends on the tree, the climate, your goals, and other factors. What works for me may not work for the guy across the street. That doesn't make my soil mix "bad" just as it doesn't make his soil mix "good". I don't doubt some people could be successful growing bonsai in crushed glass. That's why I always try to say things like "what worked for me" or "this DIDN'T work for me" and let people decide appropriately.

I have no desire to be proven "best" or "perfect". I just hope that people will look at my trees from one year to the next and say "better".

 

[cmeg1]

Smoke is kind of an "oracle" and he looks darn fine in a thong too.

Yup,and he likes trees too.

 

[CWTurner]

Thanks you get my drift, Hendrix was my first song posted to Blues Monday on my blog. Little Wing probably one of the best songs I ever heard from Hendrix. he was truly a Rock God.

Smoke,

Blues and Bonsai... I ever get to Fresno, can I look you up?

Re Hendrix. Ever wonder where he'd be now, what we all missed? Probably done the anti-Dylan and moved to acoustic...maybe a duet CD with Kenny G...spokesperson for Weightwatchers? It helps top die young if you wanna be a rock god.

CW

 

[Smoke]

QUOTE="CWTurner, post: 242331, member: 17713"]Smoke,

Blues and Bonsai... I ever get to Fresno, can I look you up?

Re Hendrix. Ever wonder where he'd be now, what we all missed? Probably done the anti-Dylan and moved to acoustic...maybe a duet CD with Kenny G...spokesperson for Weightwatchers? It helps top die young if you wanna be a rock god.

CW[/QUOTE]
Sure...

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Fort Myers today. 65.

 

[Bunjeh]

T
Humility is for the weak and timid. You want to learn then do it. You can keep asking questions, makes no difference to me. All you humility seekers have run off anyone that could help. I can think of two recently that were real buggers to deal with. They were bulldogs in the way they conducted themselves here. I don't wish to argue with people, but people seem to have a need to tell people they are rude. I am so whats your point. Sawgrass is not here anymore, nor is Poink. They were bulldogs, and I challanged them, and they worked hard and they got better. Then they became condescending when challanged and everyone got in a tizzy and they left. Now you have no one to help you. I have yet to see a picture of your tree or if you even have one to chop. What gives?

Outstanding! You have embraced your greatness and you are comfortable with it. Next time I am looking for an ass to kiss I know where to go.

 

[Bunjeh]

BTW: Here you go.

 

[edprocoat]

Bunjeh you need to protect those cuts, get something like cut paste or prune sealer. It keeps them from drying out, cracking and peeling bark from the cut area, and also keeps disease out.

ed