Maximum Requirements

[just.wing.it]

Red cedars, similiar to juniper, are resistant to spider mites and the fungus that attack junipers.

I think Grey Owl is resistant as well.
I heard they are a cross between ERC and Chinese Juniper.

 

[PABonsai]

Not trying to call you out, just saying. But the problem i have with the whole "trees in nature" logic is, yes but trees die by the hundreds in nature as well.

Are you implying that natural measures aren't valid for bonsai? I am inclined to agree with that, so I don't see it as calling me out. That's why I was posing it as a question. So I could better understand. My thought is that, while trees are natural living organisms, bonsai is a completely unnatural way of growing them. So they don't have any of their natural mechanisms at their disposal. We don't allow them to grow roots, structure, foliage, or absorb nutrients in their natural habits, so we MUST protect them. In short, we can't expect to control every aspect of growth and then assume their immune systems will function naturally. They lose any advantage that normal trees get in naturally utilizing growth rates, size, population densities, vigor etc. to resist, outgrow or actively defend against pestilence.

 

[Warpig]

Yea, it had nothing to do with your comment at all. Its just I've seen many time people will say "well trees in nature can _____ so, so should bonsai. This is what is known as the transfer of properties and it is not always true. I guess it's kind of one of my pet peeves.

 

[sorce]

Why is your caterpillar covered in tiny tampons, @sorce?

Do the research.

I have to force you down the rabbithole for a more in depth Learning experience.

Sorce

 

[sorce]

Are you implying that natural measures aren't valid for bonsai? I am inclined to agree with that, so I don't see it as calling me out. That's why I was posing it as a question. So I could better understand. My thought is that, while trees are natural living organisms, bonsai is a completely unnatural way of growing them. So they don't have any of their natural mechanisms at their disposal. We don't allow them to grow roots, structure, foliage, or absorb nutrients in their natural habits, so we MUST protect them. In short, we can't expect to control every aspect of growth and then assume their immune systems will function naturally. They lose any advantage that normal trees get in naturally utilizing growth rates, size, population densities, vigor etc. to resist, outgrow or actively defend against pestilence.

I have ecosystems in pots that are much more giving than what is provided in a granite crack some trees grow in. They grow there for thousands of years.

We don't necessarily need to protect them, most of this is a human idea.

Sorce

 

[sorce]

preventative treatment

There is a predator mite eating a fungus gnat.

There is more risk in disrupting the balance.

Few are able to go through with it.

I trust mother nature.

She won't let me down.

Sorce

 

[Warpig]

Your a good man @sorce .

 

[Anthony]

Been following Rodale since the 80's.
No complaints.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[sorce]

Been following Rodale since the 80's.
No complaints.

Funny how my post is the same to parts of this community as Rodale/Organic is to the general public. Well, not funny in fact. It's gross.

We have become so accustomed to how things are, or how they tell us things are, since most have no clue, that "organic" becomes an argument.

Maybe there is a reptilian people, since they would be the only ones who don't care about our home, Earth.

It's truly sad that people would rather live dying than live living.

Hopefully it doesn't take too many more generations for us to figure it out.

Thanks for the Information!

Sorce

 

[sorce]

I finally convinced the Sorceress to spend the extra $ on paper plates that can be Composted.

It's amazing that if you buy the right products, you can just about eliminate the Garbage pickup, leaving only recyclables and healthy soil.

We can do this ourselves. Organization is key.

Sorce

 

[Anthony]

Organic can often be Magic / voodoo or as we call it Obeah.

Then there is the confusion - example - compost tea.
Used as an insecticide / fungicide NOT a fertiliser.

At the same time inorganic fertiliser has to be too strong to
really damage the soil, because as I have read, microbes and
roots use the NPK etc, as oxides.
And of course excessive fertiliser in the water is bad.

Interesting how those growing in inorganic soil never say
Hydroponics.
Thoughts for the day.

Hey sorce we take the small bits of soap. Bottle them with water
shake, and use them as liquid hand soap.
Next up composting toilets.

Next year if you would like to learn how to pound 6 mm thick wire
and about say 10 mm long Titanium / Niobium / Tantalum or
standard Gold mixes into rings for the finger let me know.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

Down here in the hot and humid SE, spider mites and fungal disease will reek havoc with your junipers. 15 years of keeping junipers in MA without ever seeing fungus or mite damage on my trees... less then 18 months in GA and most of my junipers were afflicted and several severely set back by one or the other, or both. Needless to say, if one keeps nice trees in an environment like this, you're going to treat preemptively, which is what I do now.

Same in Tennessee. Fought off my first spider mite infestation since starting the hobby this summer. Also do preventative fungal spraying and granules. People in my neck of the woods swear by mancozeb for preventative treatment for Juniper tip blight - I haven't purchased any yet as the bonide granules main ingredient seems to also treat for it. Someone did bring up a concern that since the tree is uptaking the chemical from the bonide granule, and if you work on the tree without gloves then you are getting that chemical all over your hands. Not sure how that's any different from spraying a tree then working on it a couple days later, but maybe so. May be time to pick up some stylish black Nitrile gloves for tree work.

 

[Forsoothe!]

Whatever happened to, "Everything in moderation" and "A stitch in time saves nine" and "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? Some of us use some chemicals when needed, but try to use them in moderation. We view those that oppose any use at all as just those who haven't had an infestation of the many, many kinds of bugs that come with any collection of good things for bugs to eat. You talk a good fight, but it's just a matter of time until you get your comeuppance.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I do not believe the 'insects only attack sick trees' idea. Insects have brains, they are evolutionary made to take good care of themselves. Offer them rotten cabage and fresh lettuce and they'll go for the lettuce.

The thing is.. Weak trees can't handle the damage and healthy trees don't give a damn. Sometimes trees in good health even grow faster due to damage.

 

[Underdog]

I respect both sides of the discussion. I've been leaning on the chemical when the soap don't cut it.
How would the naturalist deal with this scale on my blue star juniper?

 

[cockroach]

I am of the same school of thoughts and ideas. I mostly leave and let be the fauna and flora in my bonsai garden. There are so many different critters here that if go after the very few bad ones, all the good will be destroyed with them. The only thing I have used from time to time is a spray for mealy bugs. My duranta erecta get it so bad it brings the tree to the brink. It is super hard to control as all neighbours have bushes of these and all bushes have infestations.
Other than that, when a tree has some pests the predators show up. If you leave it, they will come. And there are more than enough on a subtropical island.
I also, as mentioned before, only grow trees that do well in our area. I have one or two trees that need some coddling. The rest, just do their thing.

 

[Underdog]

What's odd is I have several of these in the same garden but only this one attacked.

 

[wireme]

I respect both sides of the discussion. I've been leaning on the chemical when the soap don't cut it.
How would the naturalist deal with this scale on my blue star juniper?
View attachment 267099View attachment 267100View attachment 267101

First you build a pyramid cage to precise dimensions with your copper wire. With this you can control time inside. So put your tree in there and concentrate really hard to send the scale back to before eggs were laid. Ohmm at it a bunch. If that doesn’t work chew back a nice big handful of to get yourself in sync and try again. If it still doesn’t work you probably didn’t build the pyramid right but still had a real interesting time!

Or figure out what time of year they are in the non-armoured susceptible crawler stage and keep the plant dusted with D.E. powder and some soapy water treatment during that time. That has worked pretty good for me for a Pondo with scale. Didn’t get them all though and the next year didn’t have time for the treatment at the right time and there they are again.

It’s probably easier to be less of a hippy about it all, I’ll admit that, so far problems have been minor.

 

[Forsoothe!]

I use Bayer systemic on everything except citrus (food crops). I don't have many pests for some reason. I do have a fight all winter long with spiders, Whitefly & Blackfly in the greenhouse, but there are worse problems that can come to you. I think I'm lucky my neighbors don't contribute bugs. I'd rather be lucky than good.

 

[sparklemotion]

I respect both sides of the discussion. I've been leaning on the chemical when the soap don't cut it.
How would the naturalist deal with this scale on my blue star juniper?

Foam paintbrush or makeup applicator (something that will hold lots of liquid, but not be torn up by the needles). Dip in isopropyl alcohol, "paint" from base of branch outward over whole tree. Rinse foliage. You may want to protect the soil from drips while you do this. Spray with neem 1x per week (at night). Maybe repeat the isopropyl after a couple weeks.