Often in bonsai it is hard to tell or confirm a tree species as some of the characteristics of the tree change quite considerably when maintained as bonsai. Leaf size for example may be many times smaller than it would usually be on a wild specimen of the same species of tree. One way to ensure… Read more »
Posts categorised: General Interest
For lovers of Pines…
The main pines at Pinsongqiu, Daliang County, Shunde in China were that of Pinus massoniana (马尾松) which are commonly known as the Chinese red pine, Masson’s pine or horsetail pine. They are a species native to Taiwan, central and southern China and Hong Kong plus northern Vietnam. In their natural environment they grow at low altitudes… Read more »
Big Banyan Fig in Yangshuo
Whilst staying at one of the most idyllic hotels called the Yangshuo Mountain Retreat in Yangshuo, China we walked to visit the nearby tourist attractions and one of these included a majestic Banyan Tree of epic proportions. It is located around 6km southwest of Yangshuo and set alongside the Gulin Li River and is a… Read more »
The Splinter Group
The Splinter Group was formed from an initial idea which had been touched upon many times by both Big Steve and Little Steve. Although members at various times of both Middlesex Society and the Capel Manor Group they found that they really wanted to display in a different way to the usual club format of… Read more »
Coral spot
Coral spot (Nectria cinnabarina) is a fungus with a coral pink pinhead pustules or very small browish red pin heads. It bursts through the bark on dead and dying stems or twigs. It enters the wood through old pruning wounds and can be transferred from pruning tools. It causes the death of individual branches and… Read more »
Stone Monkey Ceramics
In preparation for the Swindon Winter Show 2016 we will be posting a series of posts on the traders who will be attending the show and the first profile is of Stone Monkey Ceramics and Andrew Prett-Pearson.
Bonsai in November
Hopefully all your bonsai trees are now being protected for the winter and here is a quick generic guide to bonsai in November as the colder weather has now arrived in the UK.
Autumn colour
Autumn is an amazing time of year as the colourful display of the leaves on the trees can be stunning. This process is complex but in short leaves contain Chlorophyll hence appear green, and when this is no longer produced the leaves change colour. The key triggers are light levels, weather and chemical reactions.
Xylosma japonicum
The Xylosma japonicum was another first for me at the Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) Convention exhibition. This was a first to see the Xylosma (柞木属 zuo mu shu) up close and also used as a bonsai. According to Wikipedia is tan evergreen flowering shrub from the Salicaceae family. It is commonly known as brushhollies, Xylosmas… Read more »
Zanthoxylum nitidum
Zanthoxylum nitidum (Shiny-leaf prickly-ash) 花椒属 hua ciao shu, is a species of flowering plant in the Citrus family and is found in South China, Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. It is prickly in foliage and also aromatic and the flowers have yellow-green petals and the fruit are red-brown. For more information visit Flora of China and there… Read more »
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