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.
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.
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.
John Trott of Mendip Bonsai Studio has been recognised as a Master Grower by the Royal Horticultural Society in 2019 and had an amazing bonsai stand and display at this years RHS Malvern Spring Show in the Floral marquee.
Once again the Wiltshire Branch of the British Cactus and Succulent Society (BCSS) will be holding their annual show on the Saturday 15th June 2019 at the Melksham Assembly Hall, The Market Place, Melksham. SN12 6ES. The show opens at 11am until 3.30pm and it is £1 entry. We have been holding our show in Melksham for 6 years now and this has proved a wonderful venue with adequate space for all competitors plants.
Tonights club night we were fortunate to have an evening dedicated to Maples (Acers) and a brilliant presentation by Mark Kerry providing some very informative tips and methods for getting the most out of your maples. It was then followed by a more detailed look at some of the Club members own maple bonsai with Mark offerings advice on their development.