This time of the year we need to be thinking about the maintenance of our Bonsai – now more than ever. Why? We do need to remember that as the temperature rises so does the need for adequate moisture in the root area. As our soils are very porous there will not be much of a reservoir of water in the root area. This means that you will need to water much more often. Here in the Dallas, Texas, area we are watering twice daily…at least.

Now you may say to yourself – “Gosh, that’s a lot of time to devote to my Bonsai!!!” But, just as you make other things in your life a part of your to do list of routines you need to make this a major item of …don’t forget… It’s really only a few minutes that will keep your Bonsai healthy and happy.

This time of year we are also thinking about vacations. What am I going to do with my Bonsai while I’m away from home? Here are a few suggestions that we have gleaned from our readers over the years:

1. If you have a large collection of Bonsai it may be better to have someone come over to your home and water. The problems we’ve seen with this is that whomever you ask to baby sit your Bonsai must realize the heavy responsibility you’ve placed on them If they forget just once to water your Bonsai that may be enough to doom them.
2. If you have just a few Bonsai you may be able to take them over to a friend’s house and let them take care of them. It would be great if this friend is a Bonsai hobbyist also so that they can care for them just like their own. Again the problems we’ve heard about is the forgetfulness of the baby sitter and the water regimen.
3. Use our plant baby sitters if you will be gone for just a few days. This gelatinous material will be adequate for four or five days duration.
4. We have heard of using a wick system of an old terry cloth towel in a bucket of water next to the Bonsai. You should try this out before you leave as with our C99 above to insure that they are working correctly….
5. And, if you are fortunate enough to have a Bonsai store or large nursery in your area you might ask them about baby sitting. Yes, they will charge you for it, but with that charge comes the responsibility of taking care of the Bonsai better.

Enjoy your vacations and remember that your Bonsai will be waiting for your return….

We have a number of new books from Japan that we will have up shortly along with more new tools that should be here next month. Some new stainless steel wire cutters to go along with our selection

The Bonsai Channel has 2 new videos this month: Schefflera pruning and pest control, and Pruning an Azalea.

In Schefflera pruning and pest control, Mike's Schefflera has grown too long and has scale. Watch as Mike prunes and sprays and almost passes out from asphyxiation. Also included, how Mike begins a nursery schefflera by defoliating it.

In pruning an Azalea, Mike gives us another look at the Azaleas he root pruned and repotted in April. They look dead! But they aren't. Then Mike prunes them to make ready for new, focused, growth.

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Sincerely,
Fred & Elizabeth Meyer,
Owners
Dallas Bonsai Garden
http://www.dallasbonsai.com
fmeyer@dallasbonsai.com
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Serving the Bonsai Enthusiast since 1965.

Reproduced with permission from Dallas Bonsai.