Recent content by mike sommers

  1. mike sommers

    Bonsaijack soil 221

    I've been using it for a few years. It's good stuff.
  2. mike sommers

    Can't find bonsai soil anywhere

    Give this place a try. They sell soil components as well as mixes. They have great prices and their aggregates are clean and properly sized. http://www.bonsaijack.com/
  3. mike sommers

    A couple of my BRTs

    Nice collection.
  4. mike sommers

    BRT design change?

    Beautiful tree! My son, who lives in N.W. Tennessee has a couple BRTs. He brings them indoors for about six months. Surprisingly they do quite well under grow lamps. I'm lucky to live in S.W. Florida where it seldom goes below 35. I bring my trees in when it gets below 45, which is usually only...
  5. mike sommers

    BRT design change?

    Nice!
  6. mike sommers

    BRT design change?

    Thank you. I know that it needs to be opened up a bit, but to be honest, I'm wimp when it comes to removing perfectly healthy branches. The more I envision a sparser top and fuller bottom my confidence grows to take the next step and remove more branches from the canopy. I'll get there soon...
  7. mike sommers

    BRT design change?

    Nice tree Judy. I'll try to work up the courage to make more cuts on mine. I've ruined more trees than I care to count because of hasty decisions. I'll post it's progress over the coming months. You "guys" have been very kind and supportive with your comments ... thank you.
  8. mike sommers

    BRT design change?

    Thanks Judy. I'm always afraid of cutting too much. I'll see how it responds and remove a little more before "winter".
  9. mike sommers

    BRT design change?

    It may not look like it but I removed quite a bit from the top, plus I removed the top left limb just above the "V". I think it looks more balanced without it. I'll wait until spring to give it a more aggressive trim. From now on I'll keep the top growth in check. I'm looking forward to see the...
  10. mike sommers

    BRT design change?

    Thank you very much for your suggestions. I took your advice and thinned out the top. I didn't realize until I started trimming how thick it was. There were small branches up there that were dying back because of the lack of sun. I think the haircut should do the trick and put some life back...
  11. mike sommers

    BRT design change?

    I've had this Brazilian Raintree for about 2-1/2 years and it's been doing great. The trunk and upper branches have increased their girth quite a bit but the lower branches have hardly grown. So, because of the uneven growth I'm think about removing the lower branches and training it in the...
  12. mike sommers

    Large banyan ficus

    Benjamina?
  13. mike sommers

    Aerial roots - keep them or cut them

    They are easy to grow but take forever to get any ramification. They grow like weeds but you have to constantly pinch them back to get any branching. And, like ficus they root easily. I started about a dozen cuttings from this tree. Thanks again for your replies.
  14. mike sommers

    Aerial roots - keep them or cut them

    Wow! Those are some serious aerial serious roots! Here's a picture of my Premna, which has a similar look as my Ficus.
  15. mike sommers

    Aerial roots - keep them or cut them

    I think that I'll let them grow out and arrange them so they resemble a Banyan. The lower roots have grown over an inch since I posted this thread. I'm hoping that they continue growing. Thank you for your input.
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