It is important to stay on top of pests and diseases that may affect your bonsai to ensure they remain healthy and thrive as opposed to survive. Check them daily for any ill health signs like wilting leaves, yellowing leaves, dead twigs or branches and look for pests like mites, aphids and mealy bug. If you are unsure take a photo and send this to a bonsai club or bonsai forum like wee trees and they will be able to help identify the problem.
Examples of species used as Outdoor deciduous bonsai trees in the UK
You can try to bonsai any tree species, some are easier than others and many people start with deciduous tree species when looking for a bonsai tree to keep outside in the UK. You can use native species like Oak and Elm or look at more ornamental species like Maple. Whatever you choose you will have fun learning the techniques for that species.
Re-styled Ficus
Further to giving a few talks this year on Ficus and in particular Ficus microcarpa ‘Retusa’ (Tiger bark fig) which I have grown now for over 12 years as bonsai in the UK I thought I would share some of the information I have learnt and follow so here goes. How you keep your bonsai trees will vary as everyone has different conditions in which to keep their trees but this is my experience and it has been a fun and rewarding journey so far.
Not long now to this great event.
Link to previous event photos…… https://swindon-bonsai.co.uk/2017/08/01/tonys-bonsai-tree-sale/
Great club night last night with guest speaker Paul Eslinger who came to talk on Azaleas. Our club members also brought in their Azalea bonsai to get some hands on advice from Paul about how to develop them further.
Reg and Graham volunteered to man the display at the Stratton Festival this year in Grange Drive, Swindon. A warm day and a big crowd took in the small and not so small trees. Many taking notes about Reg’s Open Garden on the 27th July and also details of the next ‘Winter Image’ Bonsai show to be held by the Swindon club on the 23rd Feb 2020.
Congratulations John Trott for yet another fantastic award winning bonsai display at this years RHS Flower Show at Hampton Court. A wonderful selection of bonsai tree species with flowering Azaleas as well as deciduous and coniferous tree species on display.
Blackmore Vale Bonsai Group hosted their annual show and it was a well attended event and supported by many other local bonsai clubs. Congratulations to Staverton Bonsai Group who were the winners of the best society display at the show. Best tree in show was won by Ian Duff after a tie break and Ian also won the Shield for the best Blackmore Vale Bonsai Group members’ tree. Look out for next years show on the 28th June 2020.
It’s that time of year again for Jeff and Reg’s open gardens. Jeff is an RHS judge for fruit, flowers and Veg and Reg is an RHS judge for bonsai also known for the many Gold medal displays at the Chelsea Flower show. A unique opportunity to wander the gardens and get up close to the magnificent trees.