2023 Winter
Early December: remove brown or fallen leaves (deciduous)
Stop and remove any solid fertilizer
Remove moss (helped to retain moisture during hotter/drier months
Pine needle-work
A wee bit too many trees (confession) and will be selective in the spring—if my plants do not self-select themselves out of my garden. Projects.
Will sift and prepare soil for repotting in spring.
May practice making bonsai pots for trees in development—hand-build rectangles and ovals. Form & structure, then feet and lips, glazing last. Note start & final dimensions (clay / shrink rate).
In spring repot, I will take 1/4 of my 11 twisted Trident Maples and grow in the ground (where?), 1/4 in large pots of organic soil, and the last 1/4 in large pots or pond basket of inorganic soil (mostly Akedama).
In spring, will see if Trident cuttings from 2023 can be planted as a small forest.
Reflection on progress
Happy to have collected a more mature Korean Hornbeam, Japanese Black Pine, and oaks.
Hopeful that my Redwood & Douglas Fir Yamadori mostly survive—and in years to be a joy to develop.
If Redwood & Douglas fir survive, consider collecting more in April/May.
Air-layer, then chop Redwood into 3 projects: lowest with no taper can be shortest and deadwood the apex; middle with taper would be the ideal bonsai; top apex can grow longer before styling.
