Summer Prep 💦
Leaving home for extended travel is a risk for bonsai practitioners—depending on what could be lost, the greater the risk. My first week away during spring break resulted in very dry saplings and trees.
Summer travel in early July had me set up a 40% shade screen, 1 gal/hr irrigation droppers on most trees, and misters. Set for daily 8 min morning irrigation. May be too much watering… or not.
Returned home to a happy garden. A little more water than planned.
End of summer recap:
A few maple air-layers did not get watered when away for a week, as well as the Red Alder. The Alder is recovering.
Acquired trees (duh!): fine 12yr JBP, 6yr San Jose Juniper, mature Korean Hornbeam.
Separated junipers, pines, hornbeam to direct sunlight & less watering—only as needed, letting dry first.
Moved Trident Maples to direct sun & moderate watering. All Japanese Maples are under 30% shade cloth.
Late summer organizing trees by watering—let pines dry before watering. Generally, avoid over-watering.
