FLAT TOPPED BONSAI : by Sheela Babu

When we think about African savannahs, what comes before you is large stretches of grasslands dotted with the iconic flat topped Acacia trees. There are several species of this. 

They are tall , flat canopied and small leaved in structure. The scientists who have studied these trees are not totally sure how they get this shape but they do come to the conclusion that environment has played a major part in this. 

Three major reasons they say is 

1) the frequent fires of the dry grass, 

2) the herbivores like the giraffe which feed on the leaves and 

3) the abundant sunlight in these regions which the wide canopies capture for their growth. 

These factors have made these trees to adapt and grow tall with the canopies on top for their survival. 

Trees most suitable to mimic this flat topped style are 1. Brazilian rain tree 2.premna 3. Feuken tea and 5. hedge plants like Duranta

Bald cypress and Japanese black pine are also suitable for this style though it is not easily available here.

The Baobab trees also known as upside-down trees are also flat topped by nature. They can also make good bonsais. 

Any way you get rid of mealy bugs in soil ?

 Compiled by Thomas George.

Best I think to do change the soil. Add fungicide to the new soil. Wash out the roots and spray  monocrotohos and also wash the pot if you are using the same pot. This is what I would do... in case you want to use the reuse the soil later date, sun dry for a week spray

When should'nt I fertilize my bonsai?

 Compiled by Thomas George.

Good Morning... some pointers to bonsai lovers

 Compiled by Thomas George

Placement of plants:

1. Ideal area where to place your plants is south facing  as you get plenty of sunshine

2. Round and square pots, place your plant in the center of the pot.

3. Oval and rectangle pots, place your plant to the left or right end of the pot say one third length of  container. This would add beauty to composition.

Bonsai tips for the day

 Compiled by Thomas George

1. Select small leaf plants for bonsai.. or needle plant like casuarina
 
2. Chose a plant that is suitable to Chennai climate.

3. Plants that you will be able to reduce the leaf size by defoliation

4. Look at structure first and establish that well.

5. Feed the plant well and let it grow in a growth pot in the initial few years

I think it better to go slow on feed after defoliation as the next set of leaves will be bigger than the last...

I think it is better to defoliate little before the growth season. Then give a little  feed to the plant so it grows well in the growth season

6. Avoid wiring when the plant and soil are wet. Wire when the soil is completely dry.

7. Defoliate during growth season of the plant

Tigerbark Ficus

by Latha Rao

 Tigerbark ficus is a cultivar of Microcarpa. There are many cultivars and varieties like Chinese Banyan and Indian Laurel.

It was discovered in 1970 by a grower in southern part of Taiwan and was named after the grower’s nickname “Kim M’ng” which means blonde or golden hair in taiwanese dialect for his blonde hair.

When the communists took over mainland China the nationkists retreated to a nationalist controlled group of islands called Kinmen in Taiwan strait.Kinmen means Golden Gate in local taiwanese hence the plant came to be known as Golden Gate or Golden Hair Ficus.

Since the newly discovered cultivsr has conspicuous white blotches and stripes in the bark of young trees which look like tiger stripes the name Tiger Bark ficus became a  popular alternate name in Taiwanese. The whitish stripes would fade ad the tree grew older.

Note:- Cultivars are plant types that have been grown by humans for a particular trait such as taste, colour, bark, smell, shape etc.,.

PROPOGATION

    a) CUTTINGS – Can be grown from cuttings. Can be planted at any time of the year.

Highest success during spring.

    b) SEEDS – Works easily in most cases.

    c) PURCHASE A GROWING PLANT –

Can purchase pre-bonsai material, pre-styled. Such plants will be well tended and of good quality.

FERTILIZING

These species can be fed fertilizers on a weekly basis or once in 15 days.

Liquid fertilizers or organic fertilizer pellets can be applied.

PRUNING

---Pruning should be done by pruning back to two leaves after six to eight leaves have grown.

WIRING

Wiring of thin to medium -strong branches is easy as they are flexible. But, they must be checked regularly as they cut into bark very quickly.

Strong branches should be shaped using guy-wires because they can be left on the tree for a much longer period.

--They react well to grafting of branches, roots and to other grafting techniques.

--Under suitable conditions even aerial roots can be taken from one part of the tree and grafted in a different position.

--For faster closing of large wounds, young plants, shoots or aerial roots can be grafted across the wound.

-- Formation of aerial roots requires 100% humidity which can also be created artificially using glass covers or transparent sheets.

WATERING

Water normally.

Give water generously whenever the soil gets slightly dry. It can take occasional over/under watering.

        ◦ Soft water with room temperature

        ◦ Daily misting to maintain humidity. Do not overdo.

REPOTTING

Repotting can be done during Spring, every other year ., once in two to three years.

It tolerates root pruning very well.

POSITION

It can be grown ad indoor bonsai. It cannot endure frost. It can be kept outside in summer if temperatures are above 15 degree C.

Should be kept in full sunlight whether inside or outside house. Shade is unfavourable.

These plants can endure low humidity due to thick waxy leaves bit they prefer high humidity and very high humidity to develop aerial roots.

PESTS

Scale os the only common pest problem and this can be handled with dormant oil sprays:

Neem oil sprays

Insecticide.

Spray soak the plant. Smother the scaled part including the soil.After it dries scrape off the dead scales. Treat for 2-3 times depending on the severity.

Penjing done on broken down bonsai pots, done by Dr. Yogesh Yogi.

 

How broken bonsai pots are upcycled.. Done by Suseela Vergis.

 

Some bonsai from Dr. Yogesh.

 

Our own YouTube Channel

Please subscribe to the Bodhi Bonsai Chennai YouTube Channel

Balcony garden

 By Maria Vivish

A balcony garden can be as big or as small as the mind of the gardener, the available space and of course, the budget. It can range from a few railing baskets to multiple pots and vertical gardens covering every inch of wall space. The first step would be to decide exactly what you want and how you envision your balcony space.

North, south, east or west — which way does your balcony face? The direction will determine whether it is on the sunny side or the shady side. The level of light is an important factor when selecting plants. The same applies when choosing your balcony furniture. 

If you prefer wooden furniture, for example, this is better suited to a south-facing balcony. For one very simple reason: It will dry quicker here than on a shady north-facing balcony. But the same heat in a south-facing balcony would make metal furniture uncomfortable to sit on.

South-facing balconies get to bask in the sun almost all day long. Flowering sun worshippers include oleanders and hibiscus, bougainvillea, lantana or zinnias. 

You can catch the first rays of the day on east-facing balconies,  From midday, the sun moves on and it gets darker and cooler on east-facing balconies, so plants that prefer semi-shady locations are best here. This includes impatiens and petunias; philodendrons and boxwood are also good choices. 

Urban Balcony Image Credit Alice Gordenker 

On west-facing balconies, you don't feel the sun on your face until early afternoon. As with east-facing balconies, plants that enjoy partial shade are the ideal choice.

The north-facing balcony is the south-facing balcony's counterpart. Here you will go more or less the whole day without seeing the sun. Ferns and grasses are ideal for a bit of greenery, as also ivy and begonias.

The watering requirements of your plants will also change depending on your geographic location as also on the direction of your balcony. If you own a South or West facing balcony or if your balcony is windy or if you live in tropics you will need to water more often.

You will need to make sure your plants get watered when you are away on vacation. Calling on your neighbor to help can be an option. If not, opting for an automatic watering system, like drip irrigation, for your pots and planters is a great idea.

Please do remember to take into consideration the load bearing capacity of the balcony when choosing the container and potting soil mix.

For most urban gardeners, the balcony garden space has become our little oasis, a haven of greenery and peace we can enjoy. 

LITERATI OR BUNJIN STYLE

 AK HARINI

 Literati or Bunjin, this style is often seen at a seashore. And in areas where trees have grown up reaching for light in competition with other trees. The trunk line itself flows or twists through several curves.

The name Literati style breaks many rules, but nevertheless the trees have an air of refined elegance. Japanese called it Bunjin, while the Chinese called it Wenjin. The Chinese got inspired by their  calligraphy and paintings of trees , which resembled Literati style. Which made them incorporate it in Bonsai.

                                           

ATTRIBUTES OF LITERATI STYLE:

Literati style is elegant, simplistic, clean, tall, slender, and flowy.

The leaves need to be sparsely placed in the apex.

Two styles can be incorporated in various ways:

 1) Literati and semi-cascade

 2) Literati and informal upright

 3) Literati and forest

CONTAINERS:

Shallow-oval and round flat containers are ideal for this style. As these trees are long and slender, with a flowy nature. These containers add an ascetic beauty to the tree.

TREES:

Trees suitable for Literati style are Pine and coniferous trees. Apart from these, all Ficus varieties and the species F. tomentosa naturally bears Literati style.

                          

Acknowledgement for the sketch drawings :Literati or Bunjin Bonsai | Bonsai Learning Center

 

 

Root Over Rock Style Bonsai

Sheela Babu

Root over rock is a representation of beauty surviving against all odds. They are trees surviving in rocky terrain and are usually tees with natural tendency to have long and strong roots as they have to struggle to find nutrients in a harsh environment.

How to start the bonsai : the rock being an important focus in this style,choose an appealing rock with cracks and crevices so that the root finds place to cling as it establishes. 

 • Choose a plant that has long well established root system. 

 • Arrange the root on the rock guiding the roots along the crevices and tie it in position with raffia or or any smooth jute rope. 

 • Hold the rock tightly with cling film or garden tape making sure the root below is exposed to grow into the soil 

 • Bury the entire arrangement into a wide deep pot leaving the stem on top into a porous well draining soil (sand+potting mix). Water thoroughly. 

 • Trim the foliage to put less strain on the roots. 

 • Leave it in the training pot for at least one year or longer. Water generously 

 • Fertilise only after a month. 

 • Transferring to bonsai pots :remove from growth pot and wash the roots with a gentle spray of water in order to expose the roots. 

 • Place in a shallow pot (preferably oval pot) and fill with your regular bonsai mix. 

 • Place in semi shade and keep moist till well established.