Spring has Sprung downunder

[Shibui]

Nights not so cold. days a little longer and a little warmer. I've been noticing buds changing colour for a few weeks but I've been busy digging pines and junipers from the grow beds and repotting trees that need it this year so have not been taking much notice of the advanced bonsai.

Today checked a few of the older trees and found leaves starting to open on a couple of tridents in a sheltered spot. This trident seems to start earlier than most. maybe the smaller, shallow pot warms up better than the bigger pots?

 

[leatherback]

Happy Springtime!

It is however a sad reminder that summer is running on the last legs here..

 

[fredman]

Down here in NZ only my Chinese elm is showing slight color.
On my daily dog walk i've noticed something interesting over the past few years. We walk along the river where there's many (planted) rows of willow trees....about a hundred or so.
Every year the same 3 trees starts budding first...and again they're showing colour now. They're randomly spread between the others to. I find that fascinating.

 

[Mike Westervelt]

Best time of year whichever side of the planet you are on!

 

[Wulfskaar]

Best time of year whichever side of the planet you are on!

Spring is delight in the world of bonsai!

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Now we get to vicariously live through you for the next few months.

 

[Shibui]

Down here in NZ only my Chinese elm is showing slight color.

I often get green buds on Chinese elms from mid Winter but not this year. Today I noticed a small Seiju with the faintest green buds.
Also Cotoneasters with tiny red leaves showing

And Crab apples with first leaves starting to open.

Hoping these shohin crabs will flower this year

 

[AGentleman]

Spring has sprung on my first bonsai spring!

Flower buds (I think) on Prunus 'Elvins'


Crazy little Seiju Elm


I noticed that all the street trees and garden trees seemed to start waking up before my little trees. I guess that's normal.
Greg

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I need to get another seiju... lol

 

[Shibui]

A few weeks later. More trees with leaves opening.



The small trident in post #1 is almost fully leafed now.

Crab apple - flower buds will open soon.


Some shohin and mame sized bonsai.

 

[Shibui]

The sun on new leaves this morning was beautiful. Worth sharing.

 

[Shibui]

First flowers on this shohin crab apple.


Beautiful lime green new shoots opening on Seiju elm


Japanese maple

New shoots just getting to finger pinching stage. Pinching this early should keep new growth in check.

That JM has loads of flowers this Spring.

Not sure if that's a good thing or if that indicates some stress but I'll let them develop. If nothing else, it tends to stop those shoots growing.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

You are almost exactly six months off where I would normally be on March 22...

 

[SeanS]

@Shibui I’m already pruning and unwiring trees here in South Africa. I always considered you my “southern hemisphere partner” but now I’m seeing our climates are actually quite different just like the northern hemisphere members who have vastly different seasonal timeframes

 

[Wulfskaar]

I find spring to be the most exciting time in this hobby.

 

[fredman]

My favorite colour here, every year is the JM katsura

 

[Shibui]

@Shibui I’m already pruning and unwiring trees here in South Africa. I always considered you my “southern hemisphere partner” but now I’m seeing our climates are actually quite different just like the northern hemisphere members who have vastly different seasonal timeframes

There's also a wide range of climate and timing in Aus. Up here in the hills our season is a few weeks later than the flatter country just North and West so most of my fellow club members will probably be almost in line with your timing. Closer to the coast is also warmer so even though Melbourne is South of here, their season as also ahead of mine.
I trimmed some elongating shoots on a couple of crab apples this week and pinched some Japanese maple shoots but otherwise main trimming for maples will be a few weeks away for me.

Looks like @fredman is a week or more ahead too. This Japanese maple posted above is the most advanced here this week.
As it is really well ramified I pinch new shoots as soon as I can get to them in order to slow thickening and retard internode lengthening.
Before and after pinching the tip of this shoot.


Crab apples have started flowering this week.

Not the most spectacular show. This one usually does much better. I'll try more fert this summer to build some more strength for next Spring.

 

[zens]

Already had an unexpected hot day here in West Aus yesterday got into the mid 30's Celsius and i came home to several crispy trees (still in care from repotting in last month) ive definitely lost 2 and hoping i can recover several others

 

[Shibui]

Already had an unexpected hot day here in West Aus yesterday got into the mid 30's Celsius and i came home to several crispy trees (still in care from repotting in last month) ive definitely lost 2 and hoping i can recover several others

They are not officially dead until they've had no leaves for a full growing season. I've had many trees come back months after dehydration so please maintain care and cross fingers for all of them.

Spring seems to be the most difficult time to manage watering. We are in relaxed mode after a winter off watering duties and often don't respond quick enough to the Spring changes. Days are getting longer so more hours of stronger and warmer sun. Also the trees require so much more water for the new growth that's happening. It all adds up to a sudden need for water which we need to be ready to respond to.

Good luck with those dehydrated trees.

 

[fredman]

My other favorite is the JM mikawa...love the lime green foliage. It will be air layered this year.
Next to it the wisteria is pushing a lot of flowers


The trusted Quince...toyo nishiki. Can't decide what to do with it...so I just let it grow. It escaped into the ground through that big pot



Beautiful JM leaves



The oak is also pushing already. Next to the miniature rose is in full leaf for some weeks now