Sunday the 1st September 2024, saw a number of the club members travelling to David’s nursery near Coventry. The morning was spent talking about Mame sized trees and ways to improve them. The sun came out in the afternoon and things warmed up in the polytunnel, in more ways than one……… we got to get our hands on some small plants and set about re potting them and styling. Of course I forgot to take any notes, but luckily Mandy did an excellent job and I have added them for everyone to recap on the day. Lots of photos for you to enjoy.
Photos by Andy………….
Notes kindly taken by Mandy………..
Watering small trees is important. Place the mame/shohin in an empty terracotta pot. The terracotta helps to moderate the drying effects of the sun on small bonsai pots. If trees are still drying out, put the pots in another terracotta pot – layering.
Beware of sunshine. Provide shade
Japanese Red Pines: Grown from seed, pot on after a few months then not again until 5/6 years have passed. Then, pot on into a pot that is only slightly larger – placing soil in the pot and the tree (don’t rake out roots) on top – this helps to form the mound of Akadama (the moss forms over the years. The bark gradually hardens, Feed and water but limit resources – as in nature.
Use no wire: At the first pot, expose the fibrous tap root – this gives natural bends and movements to the trunk. The exposed roots will harden to become the trunk and may even produce shoots when exposed to light.
Don’t trim or prune back hard: instead, remove leaves and buds from long growth. It will gradually die back and back-buds will develop. Resist trimming these ‘tatty’ branch ends off. Smaller leaves and needles are produced – ideal for bonsai!
Producing trees the natural way: it takes time (and many young trees may be lost) but, the survivors will live longer and be less ‘delicate’ and reliant on an intensive watering programme.
The age of a tree: The pomegranate (?Nanjican) was a tiny tree, a cutting taken earlier this year – from a 5 year old tree.
Soil: pure akadama breaks down over time, to dust and moss grows naturally on top.
Tilting: tree apex will grow toward the light/upwards. Trees fall in nature and grow with bends etc. Enjoy the natural changes that give a more interesting tree … enjoy the process of the losses too.
Sizes: ‘The Japanese don’t use tape measures’: try balancing small trees on two fingers (mame) or 3 (shohin) fingers … or the whole hand … It is more ‘the look’ and ’the feel’ of the tree, together with the other trees in the display. Not easy for judging. Mark Cooper has written about the sizing challenge.
Trees grow: that marme will become a shohin …. Marme should be small and delicate
Propagation Area: David has 3 areas for propagation. Hot and HUMID
- A sand bed, covered with polyethene 20+deg
2. A capillary mat, covered with polyethene
3. A central, uncovered area
Pests: Use nematodes rather than chemicals. Keep the nematodes wet or they die!
More photos of the day……….. Enjoy, overall a lovely day, if you are in that area worth a visit.
Species of little trees worked with………..
Ulmus parvifolia Yatsabusa
Chamaecyparis obtusa Sekka
Pinus thunbergii Mikawa
Juniperus chinensis Itoigawa
Mini leafed Ivy
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