How to clean bonsai nebari?

[longd_au]

Does anyone, as part of their bonsai maintenance schedule, clean the nebari from licen, calcium and mineral deposits and other fungal growth?
If you do, what cleaning method do you use? I really have lots of questions.

[alpineart]

Hi longd_au , i cant say i have a schedule but from time to time i do remove excess moss and mineral build up using plain water and a tooth brush . Nothing harsh just a simple dental clean so to speak .

Lichen is left on all my plant that are fortunate enough to have it on the tree anywhere . Lichen wont hurt the tree and it does represent an older tree as it take many years to actually grow naturally , unless of course you have managed a cutting or layer that has lichen attached .

Once the non required build up is removed i simply scrap some of the top layer of soil/bonsai mix off removing the unwanted deposits and place a fresh layer over the cleaned mix . Basically a top dressing which covers most of the unsightly /untidy clean area that isn't removed .

I dont scrub the roots , i choose rather to just cover them with a fresh blend and deal with the cleaning of the mix at the next re-pot .

Cheers Alpineart

[kcpoole]

You can try vinegar and water to kill moss on the trunk. Just a light spray or paint on softly will remove it and not hurt the tree.

Ken

[Ash]

You can use a tooth brush dipped in dilute Alginox pool chlorine and lightly scrub the area needing cleaning. Ash

[Scott Martin]

Hi Dennis. Do you have a pic of the tree you're talking about? Some trees can be scrubbed with a tooth brush like trident maples but other trees like black pines should be left alone.

As it's already been said, some of the 'growth' on the trunks is a real character of age and you can be lucky to get them. Others are bad news and need to be removed.