Delve into a newbies garden! 😎

[Clorgan]

A little cleaner... I'm a huge fan of this thing

 

[Clorgan]

Would something like this be suitable? https://www.kaizenbonsai.com/natural-bonsai-deadwood-preserver

 

[Woocash]

A little cleaner... I'm a huge fan of this thing

More!

I reckon it’d be worth following that dead vein all the way up and down to see the extent of it. Maybe even remove all the flaky bark on the whole plant as it’ll start flaking up in a year or two again if you don’t like it (confirm this first though). Much like a juniper. Just a thought.

 

[Woocash]

Just spat black tea on my lap laughing at this!

There are easier ways of dyeing clothing you know...

 

[Clorgan]

More!

I reckon it’d be worth following that dead vein all the way up and down to see the extent of it. Maybe even remove all the flaky bark on the whole plant as it’ll start flaking up in a year or two again if you don’t like it (confirm this first though). Much like a juniper. Just a thought.

Hmmmm interesting thoughts, may have another go at it tomorrow

 

[Paulpash]

Interesting! I've just began cleaning up with water. All I have on me is LS, happy to purchase something else if it's more suitable though.

How do you go about using coffee grounds?

Add them to LS and mix it in. Just prevents it going bone white which you want to avoid.

 

[Clorgan]

Add them to LS and mix it in. Just prevents it going bone white which you want to avoid.

I ordered the stuff from kaizen, see how that goes for now!

 

[Clorgan]

Would you remove the flaky bark @Paulpash

 

[Paulpash]

Would you remove the flaky bark @Paulpash

You can do either - do you like it smooth or fuzzy?

 

[Clorgan]

You can do either - do you like it smooth or fuzzy?

Everyone loves smooth don't they?!

 

[Clorgan]

So I started peeling, oh my... I love it.

P. S - definitely had a few beers which is making this so much more fun!

 

[Paulpash]

Everyone loves smooth don't they?!

Indeed. It's fun but it'll need regular de fuzzing!

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

OK so this aft I'm going to have a go at the deadwood. Here's a section of the trunk, my question is... Should I just be cleaning up the deadwood that is there, rather than actively trying to design a deadwood feature? For now anyway?

Hope that makes sense?

Maybe some of you guys could help?
@Leo in N E Illinois @leatherback @Paulpash @TomB

Would something like this be suitable? https://www.kaizenbonsai.com/natural-bonsai-deadwood-preserver

I think you are starting out right, just water and a toothbrush. Remove the flaky bark. Get a sense of where the live viens are.

The product from Kaizen sounds like boiled linseed oil without the mineral spirits. Though he very studiously gives no clue as to what his "elixir" really is. But I trust Graham, his bonsai skills are top notch, and if he says it works I would be inclined to believe him. There are a number of tree, seed and or nut derived oils that could work quite well to perform the function of "wood preserver". Camellia oil, tung oil, even neem oils, all are possible candidates. Olive oil has a tendency to biodegrade (go rancid) rapidly, as it is a bit "too edible" by various microbes. Take a good sniff of the product from Kaizen, see if you can identify which oil his product is based on.

I like the write up Graham Potter did on deadwood, it is worth reading.

Preserving Bonsai Deadwood

Introduction What causes deadwood to decay? Fungal decay of Bonsai deadwood Oxidization of Bonsai deadwood Mechanical decay of Bonsai deadwood Different types of wood, different approaches Learning from nature How to preserve bonsai deadwood & jin Dealing with rotten wood in bonsai Products for...

www.kaizenbonsai.com

 

[Clorgan]

I think you are starting out right, just water and a toothbrush. Remove the flaky bark. Get a sense of where the live viens are.

The product from Kaizen sounds like boiled linseed oil without the mineral spirits. Though he very studiously gives no clue as to what his "elixir" really is. But I trust Graham, his bonsai skills are top notch, and if he says it works I would be inclined to believe him. There are a number of tree, seed and or nut derived oils that could work quite well to perform the function of "wood preserver". Camellia oil, tung oil, even neem oils, all are possible candidates. Olive oil has a tendency to biodegrade (go rancid) rapidly, as it is a bit "too edible" by various microbes. Take a good sniff of the product from Kaizen, see if you can identify which oil his product is based on.

I like the write up Graham Potter did on deadwood, it is worth reading.

Preserving Bonsai Deadwood

Introduction What causes deadwood to decay? Fungal decay of Bonsai deadwood Oxidization of Bonsai deadwood Mechanical decay of Bonsai deadwood Different types of wood, different approaches Learning from nature How to preserve bonsai deadwood & jin Dealing with rotten wood in bonsai Products for...

www.kaizenbonsai.com

Cheers for this Leo! Yeah it's a good article, I'd seen it already - was how I came across his product. I know kaizen is generally very trusted so thought it'd be a safe bet.

Will definitely give it a sniff, although my knowledge of scents is not the best!

 

[Clorgan]

Not posted in a while - been a very busy month. Here's some of my fuchsias still blooming!

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Damn those are beautiful. Nice. Thanks for sharing

 

[Clorgan]

Little autumn update! (sorry for the lazy photography )

Most excited about my chunky little fuchsia, still throwing out the flowers. And the other fuchsia too.

 

[Clorgan]

More...loving the potentilla

 

[Clorgan]

Any finally... Kumquat has been brought indoors (fingers crossed it's OK here - large South facing window/doors) and the lemon seedling is still going strong

 

[Clorgan]

Also considering purchasing this hornbeam from Yannick - could be a great one for the native contest!