View Full Version : BONSAI AND BUSHCRAFT
bushwacker bob
31-01-2004, 00:51
does anyone grow bonsai trees? if not you should. I have been cultivating bonsai for about 25 years and realised the value of experiencing the growth patterns, habits likes and dislikes of most native british trees.it has taught me in precise detail what order the leaves appear and fall and how to identify most species by either bud,leaf or bark.in short I have a mixed woodland in my small garden and regularly learn from it. They also look good and make people think im artistic and/or green fingered! :idea:
i enjoy growing Bonsai.
Nothing like learning the history of a tree before you start to shape it.
Samurai warriors cutivated bonsai out of a love of art and nature. It is an excellent learning tool and source or relaxation. It helps one keep his/her mind off the mindless louts who are also part of the environment. :!:
Roving Rich
12-02-2004, 23:32
Do you trim the roots ? or just keep the foliage and new growth in check?
Never tried it, just curios :-D
rich
Do you trim the roots ? or just keep the foliage and new growth in check?
Never tried it, just curios :-D
rich
Depends on the species. Some, like our Larch, are so sensitive to root prunning that ever larger pots seem the only answer. Some members of our club have, after years, ended up with 1 meter tall 100 kilo monsters shifted about only by collective effort.
Elms for example get 1/3 of root ball removed each year in our climate and thrive on it.
(Some of the most useful books on Bonsai are by British authors: e.g. Harry Tomlinson; Colin Lewis; Dan Barton).
Roving Rich
13-02-2004, 09:09
Wow elm trees, we had them once. Their roots are continuous from tree to tree, so they communicate between themselves. Sadly this also helped the spread of the disease which wiped em out :-(
Is any tree a suitable candidate, could i pick a seedling and grow it as a bonsai?
Rich
bushwacker bob
14-02-2004, 11:31
yep! seedling or nursery stock are exellent ways to start. Most of my trees are English woodland species collected as seeds or seedlings.Just grow them in a flower pot for a few years and they start to reduce their leafsize on their own due to restricted root spread.
the longest journeys start with one small step
I had a serissa, about 2 feet tall (I paid £150 for it), very nice it was too, but i think I killed it. I dunno what I did wrong, I thought I was looking after it pretty well, it lasted about 18 months, then it just lost all it's leaves and died. Maybe a fungus or something. Any recommendations on hardy species?
I had a serissa, about 2 feet tall (I paid £150 for it), very nice it was too, but i think I killed it. I dunno what I did wrong, I thought I was looking after it pretty well, it lasted about 18 months, then it just lost all it's leaves and died. Maybe a fungus or something. Any recommendations on hardy species?
Serissas are noted for dying suddenly -- even when kept by veteran bonsai types. They are one of those "tweeners," liking cold, but not too cold and wet, but not too wet.
Speaking of non-tropical species, elms are tough as weeds and usually available. Hornbeams are quite hardy, as are junipers.
Check out one of the books by the authors noted above.
There are many bonsai sites on the Internet.
Local bonsai clubs are a source of good advice about what works best in your area.