Green Workshop: Pruning Tips

The drawing on the left shows a young deciduous tree before pruning. Notice that the tree’s energy (growth) moves primarily upward, forming a more or less inverted triangle (tip down). In order to control this growth and move the energy down, prune to form the tree into a triangle (more or less) with tip pointing up. The drawing on the right shows the same little tree a year or two later. Now your goal is to control growth and keep the tree’s basic shape by continuing to prune back vigorous upward growth (thus forcing energy down into the trunk and … Continue reading Green Workshop: Pruning Tips

Green Workshop: Ugly Branches

These simple graphics show three solutions to three common branching problems. From Bonsai Today issue 58. Green Workshops present and past Our Green Workshop series is geared for beginners in the art of bonsai. Some earlier Green Workshops are: Wiring basics (using a turnbuckle); Wiring a Young Tree; Fall Transplanting: Pro & Cons; Yet Another Watering Problem; Bonsai Branching Basics; A Simple Wiring Video, and more (just type Green Workshops in search).

Green Workshop: ABS’ Wiring Basics

This simple and clear illustration (from the ABS website) shows how to use a turnbuckle to lower a branch. The turnbuckle is made up of a single strand of wire, a short stick (or short piece of heavy wire) and two rubber pads to protect the branches. Beyond that, it needs no explanation. Thanks to ABS and George Buehler The American Bonsai Society has one of the best basic wiring articles you’ll find anywhere, courtesy of George Buehler (George is the current Vice President of ABS). If you are new to wiring or just want to brush up, you could … Continue reading Green Workshop: ABS’ Wiring Basics

Green Workshop: Wiring a Young Tree

Before: The wire has been applied and is ready to bend. The two illustrations in this post are from Bonsai Today issue 107, from an article entitled ‘Wiring a Young Tree.’ After. A good place to start Most beginning wiring instructions start with how to place wire and then move toward the actual uses of wiring. Our approach here is a little different: if you can see a simple result of the use of wire, you might be inspired to learn the basics (stay tuned).

Green Workshop: Fall Transplanting Pros & Cons

Time to repot. Morten Albek intentionally broke the pot to show this Cork bark Japanese black pine’s dense root mass. From Morten’s book, Shohin Bonsai (Stone Lantern Publishing). Why transplant in the fall? If you transplant in the fall your trees can take full advantage of the next growing season. If you transplant in the spring (that’s when most people do it), by the time the tree recovers, you’ve lost part of the growing season. Why not transplant in the fall? If you have an early winter and your bonsai haven’t fully recovered from transplanting, then you risk serious damage … Continue reading Green Workshop: Fall Transplanting Pros & Cons

Green Workshop: Bonsai Branching Basics

Both illustrations in this post are from Bonsai Today issue 92. Learn the rules first, then break them Though nothing is written in stone, understanding the basics can be very helpful. If the points shown here are not that familiar, you might want to take some time with each one. As you apply them, your bonsai will immediately improve. Once you get the basics, you can experiment with breaking the rules. A little story to make a point I’m told that when the first Westerns saw Japanese bonsai they (or at least some of them) thought there was some sort … Continue reading Green Workshop: Bonsai Branching Basics

Green Workshop: A Simple Wiring Video

If you’re new to bonsai and want to get started using wire, this video by Lindasy Farr of Bonsai Farm (on YouTube) offers a simple, clear lesson.

Green Workshop: Fertilizing #3 – A Plan We Like

This healthy looking, well-fed Green Island Ficus (Ficus microcarpa ‘Green Island’), by Alan Kieffer, originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 74, in an article by Mary Miller. A fertilizing program we like The following program is one that I like. Feel free to adjust, elaborate, or simplify according to you needs and preferences. Start with pellets in the very late winter Apply about one third the recommended dosage* of Green Dream or other pellet or chunky natural fertilizer in the very late winter (just before the buds begin to swell).

Green Workshop: Feed Your Bonsai – part 2 – NPK

This well fed, healthy Lace leaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum dissectum) is from our Pocket Bonsai Gallery. It originally appeared on the cover of Bonsai Today# 84. N-P-K (Macro nutrients) You will see three numbers on all fertilizer packages—for example 7-9-5 or 15-30-15. These numbers represent the strength and ratios of the three major nutrients (also called macro nutrients) in fertilizers. The three nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium or potash (K). They are critical to any plant’s health. Here’s a more complete explanation.

Green Workshop: Feed Your Bonsai! – Pellets

Your bonsai may never look like this, but they can be this healthy. This magnificently robust Willow leaf ficus (Ficus nerifolia) is by Jim Smith of Dura-Stone in Vero Beach Florida. The photo is from Bonsai Today, issue 61 and was taken by Jim. Your bonsai depend on you Bonsai do not survive on water, light, and love alone. Because most bonsai soil has very low nutritive value (if any), your bonsai depends on you for feeding.