What, when where???

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Josh
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What, when where???

Post by Josh »

Hi All, Not sure I really want to put my hand up for this but here goes. Looking at my trees the last couple of days I was thinking about what needs to be done and when? You know kind of getting a plan together to keep on top of things. I have some trees that I want to start reducing the root ball on, some are growing the branches out while others I want to airlayer off or graft branches/roots on to.
Been looking through books and on the net and there is so much info. But hard to sort out what applies to us here in vic. ie. what time of year do I root prune my Juni's, pines, lepto ect.. When is it best to trunk chop.
I know there is heaps (endless) of info out there :reading: about this but it gets confusing :lost: reading so much from all over the country/world. I was reading a book the other night and it went through the process of putting a tree into a bonsai put. It basically said "take your tree and cut the roots back so it fits into the bonsai pot". That's ok if it's the right time of year and not to many are cut off but it never mentioned this. So for the beginner it gets confussing :lost: . I know the old timers (in bonsai age not real age) get sick of repeating themselves over and over :roll: .
So here's my idea. Using the wealth of knowledge on here putting together a calender of what when and a litlle bit of how. This would be a big long term project. I would do it for each tree we grow (grouping obvious trees).
Something like this.

Junipers
January
Explain the things to do in Jan. Brief explanation given where needed.

February
Explain things to do in Feb.
An example would be…
June (or what ever month it should be)
Root prune junipers now. To get into bonsai pot reduce by a third this season and a third next season till it fits, or whatever the process is to root prune Juniper to get into a bonsai pot. (I don’t actually know. I have a couple of Junipers in large grow pots (renting so can’t plant in the ground, but I have no idea when to root prune them and how do I reduce the root ball to get into a bonsai pot without killing the tree.
This is not going into detail of how to root prune (that info is already out there. More about when and how much.

Another one would be
September (or what ever month it is)
This is the month junipers really start growing so keep an eye on the wired branches so it doesn’t cut in.

Info could be for trees in bonsai pots already or trees in training.

Basically I would pick a tree and everyone could give their input into what to do when. This is not so much how to do it but more when to do it. I would do it for trees in Vic first and then it could be adapted for each of the other states. I know NSW can do somethings earlier cause it warms up earlier.
This is really aimed at newbies to bonsai but may be of help to all. Plus a good chance to swap knowledge from the many experienced growers as there is sometimes different ideas. If there was some real different ideas on timing to do certain things both could be included with a warning to try carefully to see which suits your style.
This would be a big long term project and would need input from the more experienced growers other wise I don’t think it would be worth doing.

So would the more experienced growers be willing to share their time and knowledge and do the newbies to bonsai think this would help???

If this info is already available somewhere that I have not found yet please point me in the right direction and I'll save a heap of time.
If people think this is worth doing I will start a new post with a tree named and some headings for the months and people can offer their advice. Then I will start a new one for the next tree. Obviously some trees will be grouped like a lot of deciduous trees but some may need something different at a certain time.
Basically this will be a month by month planner for each tree and people can add their thoughts for care etc.. As I said this is not a how to but more a when to. I’m not going to say how to wire your Acer palmatum but when is the best time or when is best to bend branches, trunk chop.
As I said this would be a big project and would need everyone’s help, is it worth it.
This will be done as public access info and could be added to the wiki so when a newbie says I bought a black pine but have no idea what to do we can point them to this info. Let me know what you think….

Josh
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Re: What, when where???

Post by kcpoole »

Check out the wiki as you will find most there already. ( at least I hope so). If it missing then let us know.
the time here are at least what i use for Sydney, but Melbourne should be only a few weeks later in Spring and a few weeks earlier in Autumn.

https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... hould_I%3F
and closely related is the calendar here
https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... h_month%3F


Ken
Last edited by kcpoole on October 28th, 2012, 10:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What, when where???

Post by Josh »

Thanks Ken. I looked in the wiki and couldn't see that :palm: :palm: :palm: Not sure why I couldn't find it, anyway thanks for that.

Josh
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Re: What, when where???

Post by Boics »

I too think that the wiki is the answer however I do believe this needs more detail.
As mentioned state specific info might be beneficial.
And there are definitely very large holes and thin information in the single species guides.

Problem from my perspective is that I would like to help boost this info but feel under qualified to do so..

Good topic kids.
Ive been thinking this too.
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Re: What, when where???

Post by reddoggy »

That is a bloody good idea Josh :cool: :hooray: The Wiki is good but I too cannot find anything such as a time line on specific trees , There are a few books around that do this but by the time you go thru all your books it is too late.
I think what us novices need is like a fact sheet on individual trees that maybe we could laminate and keep in a folder of the trees that we own, something like what you say What, When and Where, I have often thought about it but given up as what you say is true, it would be a lot of work ,but as you say with the thousands of very knowledgeable members (count me out on the knowledgeable bit) on this forum I am sure it could be done.
We do,t need critics on individual trees just cold hard facts.
An excellent idea Kidsandall :imo:
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Re: What, when where???

Post by Paul W »

What an excellent idea, JOSH and REDDOGGY :fc: :fc: :hooray:
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Re: What, when where???

Post by fireworks »

Count me in too. I would love information on what to do with each specific species and when.
What a great idea! It would certainly help the novices. I'm sure someone can help us as it
becomes very confusing. Even a guideline would be appreciated. Thanks folks.
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Re: What, when where???

Post by kcpoole »

reddoggy wrote:That is a bloody good idea Josh :cool: :hooray: The Wiki is good but I too cannot find anything such as a time line on specific trees , There are a few books around that do this but by the time you go thru all your books it is too late.
I think what us novices need is like a fact sheet on individual trees that maybe we could laminate and keep in a folder of the trees that we own, something like what you say What, When and Where, I have often thought about it but given up as what you say is true, it would be a lot of work ,but as you say with the thousands of very knowledgeable members (count me out on the knowledgeable bit) on this forum I am sure it could be done.
We do,t need critics on individual trees just cold hard facts.
An excellent idea Kidsandall :imo:
the links above are intended to give a calendar guide to follow fo rthe various thypes of tree and to be a reminder ( they work for me)

Check out the species Guides on each of the trees. https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... cies_guide The intention is eventually to do just as you mention.
start with a general info aof the tree species and a few photos
Then care guides as appropriate.
When to Propagate and how ( methods)
when to Repot and root prune.
when to hard prune and then tip prune.
when to trunk chop.
when to fertilise.

etc anything else :?: :?:

I have edited a few here and there but most of the the mentioned ones I do not have, so cannot give definitive info.
Would love to have a standard template applied to all the trees on the list tho if anyone wants a job? Something like the following formats maybe?

https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Acacia
https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Azalea
https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Beech

Ken
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What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
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How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
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Re: What, when where???

Post by fireworks »

Thanks, Ken. You are always very helpful. Cheers mate. :hooray:
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Re: What, when where???

Post by Boics »

bump..

I'm going to make a concerted effort to assist however I do feel a bit under educated..
I truly believe that with the assistance of all that we can get some great information together in the Wiki's here.

Would be great to have some of the more experienced share their wisdom on particular trees.
Specific species information like what Ken mentions above would be great..

Cheers!
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Re: What, when where???

Post by Boics »

I've put together one on Hinoki Cypress.
https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... ki_Cypress
I'm absolutely open to editing and suggestions here.
This info is based on what little I know and what I have gleaned from the internet.

Specific Australian based information for this species would be great.

Now if everyone were to select a tree that they favour and simply spend 15 minutes to put a page up we would have a great database coming together.
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Re: What, when where???

Post by Rintar »

Now if everyone were to select a tree that they favour and simply spend 15 minutes to put a page up we would have a great database coming together.
I totally agree and congratulate you for putting out the challenge but as i have only a few months experience i am afraid i can not help at this stage

cheers

J
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Re: What, when where???

Post by Boics »

Hello Jason.

With 240 odd posts on Ausbonsai surely you can do an internet search and add some info?

Personally I think it's about making the effort..
If everyone were to put together a page that requires a couple of minor tweeks then one with more experience could simply edit this rather than starting a whole new page...

Everyone's combined efforts might even promote others to edit and proof read that which has been put up..
A quick search around on the internet provides the bulk of the answers, based with some of the knowledge you have anyone is capable of jotting a few words.
Furthermore if the species database and Wiki were more detailed it might obtain more focus from those that run and moderate this site.

We have to start somewhere...
The bones are already in place - we just need meat!
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Re: What, when where???

Post by Rintar »

Fair call i will endeavour to do so but most of my posts have been help and or cheers good job but i see where you're coming from and will have a look and think i know what species I would like to try and compile and the 2 people i believe most suited to then proof read. ;)

Cheers

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Re: What, when where???

Post by Josh »

[quote="Boics"]Hello Jason.

With 240 odd posts on Ausbonsai surely you can do an internet search and add some info?

This is the problem I have. To find the relevant info you have to go to too many places to find the info. If we can bring it all together for each species that would be awesome.

Josh
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