Recent content by pgstroud@aol.com

The tree looks as if it is in a questionable soil. If the soil is too full of fine particles which will pack around the roots like a common houseplant, they will be starved of oxygen. I use a mixture of a very small amount of soil containing bark & perlite, soil conditioner with a lot of bark, &...

I always make my own. Consider your weather when you make your soil but I use equal amounts of pea gravel (available from most landscape companies), turface, & bark or a soil heavily containing small bark.Some soil conditioners are composed of this. Cut back on the organic matter for some...

I bought & styled a boxwood into a tree like one I saw online styled in the form of the Angel Oak on John's Island outside Charleston, SC. Washing the roots is a necessity & a pot that allows plenty of room so that no more than the necessary roots will fill it up with a minimal of trimming. I...

Lowe's soil conditioner is excellent! I've used it many times!!

I agree that air layering is the best way to get a new plant started from the one the air layer is produced from! I have done many gardenias & find them easy to air layer. Azaleas are harder & do best with layering the "old fashioned way" by putting part of a long limb under the soil around the...

I agree that it is a Procumbens nana. Remember that junipers are outdoor trees, never inside unless for a few minutes. In the winter keep it in a sheltered area like a garage with lights. I use clip-on lights with a 100 watt energy efficiency bulbs for my plants when inside on tables. They don't...

Pine bark would probably be the best since peat moss holds water which is not drainable & holds water in bonsai soil even though I've heard of some who do use it. Personally I wouldn't risk it. When it gets a little dry it is very difficult to rehydrate. Water rolls off it until it is repeatedly...

Water & applying appropriate minerals to deal with yellowing leaves Seems it has either been watered too much or too little. When leaves turn yellow it can indicate a need for magnesium. This can be handled by adding a small amount of epsom salts when it is watered next time.

A good fungcide One good fungicide often overlooked but safe to use is to crush one aspirin (325 mg) very finely & mix into a gallon jug of water. Shake well. Do not use this too often, but it will serve as a fungicide when needed. If using green moss on a plant to enhance its appearance...

I TRIED SOME SMALL (ABOUT 10") SEQUOIAS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. i PUT THEM IN GOOD SOIL (MIRACLE GRO WITH BARK ADDED TO AID IN DRAINAGE) & KEPT THEM WATERED WELL WHICH WERE THE INSTRUCTIONS BUT THEY ALL EVENTUALLY DIED. IT WAS EITHER THE SOURCE OR SOMETHING I DID WRONG. IS THERE A VERY GOOD...

Mycorrhizal Fungi From the picture the white areas appear to be mycorrhizal fungus which is a very beneficial fungus. From what I've seen I'm pretty sure the white material in your plant is this fungus. It can be pinched away from the roots & mixed into the new soil as you replant. It...

Azalea Bonsai Soil Since pine needles are acidic you might get a small handful & with scissors clip small pieces into your soil mixture. I've done this in the past & had good luck.

Who to ask about relocating to Houston TX If I were you I would contact Fred Byer of Dallas Bonsai & get his opinion on moving to Austin. He runs a good business in Dallas. I have bought some items from Dallas Bonsai & he would be the one to ask about your move.

Diatomite & other ingredients for Bonsai soil I have used it but one John Deere supplier in the Greenville,sc area as well as in other areas carries turface. I would use diatomatious earth if turface wasn't avail. but for a basic mix I get soil conditioner from Lowe's (Evergreen brand) &...

Reply Don't give up. I have never belonged to a bonsai club but, like you go to books but mainly websites. I have put on google the kind of sites to send me & there are a number I have listed such as bonsai, bonsai soil, bonsai styling, bonsai pruning, etc, anything associated with bonsai.I...