Put up some shade for my maples, not the Japanese maples, they been under much heavier shade all summer but this is a temp setting for my swamp and trident maples that were beginning to feel the heat.
Packed up a few trees and a couple of stands to set up for the annual Milwaukee Bonsai Society’s Annual Members Exhibit(say that 3 times fast!). Swing by if you’re around this weekend. It’s at the Lynden Sculpture Garden!
Packed up a few trees and a couple of stands to set up for the annual Milwaukee Bonsai Society’s Annual Members Exhibit(say that 3 times fast!). Swing by if you’re around this weekend. It’s at the Lynden Sculpture Garden!
A few days late but I got to spend Wednesday evening with Will Radler the inventor of the knockout rose, landscaping genius, goldfish whisperer, and a bonsai enthusiast.
I didn't get many photos but he has a lot of unique species of bonsai trees like an arctic birch with the smallest leaves ever. This is the largest seiju elm I've ever seen!
Went exploring at abandoned truck stop which is being redone for warehouse building.
Perfect shohin-sized shiny leaf sumac and elm. I had to pickaxe them out of asphalt... there is dedication for you. Both species are almost impossible to kill. Sumac even has flowers.
Another elm I could not get out. So I nicked the trunk and filled the hollow I made with pickaxe with dirt. I am almost sure it will ground layer. Don't know how much time I have with the warehousing...
And some random junky prettiness
Added an Amazon metal greenhouse frame with 50% shade cloth to protect a few trees... should have done this a few months back.
I also had the plumber run me a line to the growing area to move my watering system there and avoild the black lines that you can see above running from the house spigot. Will be insulated and a bar installed next to it to provide support.
This is my first bonsai. I acquired this Ficus Microcarpa Green Island from Wigert's in great condition on July 27th. Because I live in Manhattan with no outdoor space my options are very limited. My first task was to acclimate the tree to an east-facing windowsill with bilateral grow lights and halogen lamp that go on at 430AM and off at 930PM. I was fortunate to have no leaf drop, and the plant, though not showing exuberant growth, was at least producing new buds and leaves.
Today, I decided to prune the ficus to eliminate incorrect branches, encourage back-budding and create a smoother umbrella canopy. I'm sure I could have been more aggressive if the tree were outdoors but I went as far as my courage and newbie knowledge would permit. I should probably add that, although I've been interested in bonsai for some time, I'm starting at 73 ... so my time-frame for developing this tree is a bit circumscribed.
My next step will be to wire the fairly thick bottom right branch to the thicker one above (hard to see in the photos) to see if I can get the lower one more level, and perhaps to wire some of the secondary branches to fan out more.
I'd be very grateful for any suggestions about what I've done already and what to next. Happy to be part of this community and to share my fledgling effort.
shade for my maples, not the Japanese maples, they been under much heavier shade all summer but this is a temp setting for my swamp and trident maples that were beginning to feel the heat.
Took cuttings from lace bark elm. Branch had to be removed today so going to try anyhow
