2023 Spring Status
Too many trees and so I built a second bench. Finally joined a bonsai club, San Mateo Sei Bokku Bonsai Kai. Enjoyed the tail end of the Mammoth Bonsai auction & sale in February (Oakland Lake Merrit) and bought a lovely Itoigawa juniper for $25. The Oakland Bonsai Garden was impressive. Early in May attended the Kusamura Bonsai Club Show in Palo Alto. Recently bought a few pre-bonsai material from Left Coast Bonsai.
Ginkgos doing well, lower trunks swell nicely
Zelkova seedlings leafed out very well. Herons Bonsai cautions to influence trunk movement when young and pliable—as they tend to grow straight
Akebono Cherry Leafed out well
Korean & American Hornbeams are slowly budding at the tip of the thin seedling—hoping it develops well for summer. (until I broke the Korean Hornbeam during wiring/bending).
Air layering my Japanese Maple has been hit or miss—with around 16 attempts have yielded around 10 successful AL. Covering in black mask from the sun and squeezing out fluid if in great excess. Added more attempted AL.
Dogwoods have been a near miss—and only one has bud out at all. May naturally be a late budding.
Japanese Larch emerged on a small fraction of the 10 seedlings started in Nov—mist never recovered from dormancy. Suggested to provide liquid fertilizer and if no progress by the end of May will call it a failed experiment. Original nursery offered to replace the 10, if uncovered the shipping. They arrived and potted in 75% pumice & 25% compost. Experiment #2.
Left Coast Bonsai cautioned that they were informed that Larch do not grow well in my climate zone.
Podocarpus is not doing well and needing much water. Attempting bag and pot air-layering, no rooting yet.
Persistent experiment in propagating by cuttings has proven poorly—nothing rooting. Either placed in sand (they dried) or covered in a bag (scorched), I realize humidity and limited exposure to sunlight—placing in a ziplock bag for much of the day and allowed fresh air periodically. Looking promising.
New: Red Alder from LCB.
New: 6 bendy Tridents
New: Itiogawa Juniper pre-bonsai
Attempting Trident cutting propagation—pumice:peat, hormone, humidity-bag.
