Positioning for Bonsai

[senseijames]

Hi peoples, I have been wondering about the effects of sunlight on Bonsai and would like to ask the Question " how many of us bother to move our Bonsai around to get sunlight from different directions on the odd occasions and who, of the ones that do this, feels that it is definitely beneficial "
James

[Gerard]

Definately beneficial, very important to rememger to do it

[Taffy]

I do - now, James. Most of my trees are in full sun but I have a cascade Green Island Fig that was only receiving sun on the front and one side - in particular the apex. That side put on quite a lot more growth than the other side. Then I realized why, so since then I've been turning it regularly, and the weaker side is definitely improving.

The majority of my trees are out in the open and receive sunlight from early morning till late in the afternoon, so I don't really need to turn them (as the sun goes almost directly overhead). Any that only get sun for half a day or so, now get turned regularly.

[MattA]

Hey James,

I used to be somewhat slack with turning my trees and to an extent still am, tho try to do so atleast once a fortnight preferably atleast weekly. I have found it is beneficial to not only bud but also root growth. It is not just sunlight but the heat it brings with it that is needed by the foliage & roots to grow strong & healthy.

With regards yamadori I have found it is very important to turn the trees as often as possible, every day or 2 is great. This stimulates the entire trunk & you get the best allround budding & regrowth instead of it being focused on one side only. I am about to tackle a wisteria that was collected & due to size wasnt turned & you can really see a difference. Will update the thread when I do.

Matt

[whereswally007]

I find it depends if the plant gets full sun or partial sun, because some plants need to be moved/rotated often at young age and some you can get awaywith not doing it as often

[Jamie]

hi mate

interesting question, one thing is every one will have different responses. I personally dont turn mine to often at all, but my trees are in full sun too and dont really get any shade, they are thirsty most of the time requiring at least one watering a day if not two on a hot day, I have been known when I was working to water in the morning before work, ring the missus at lunch to get her to water and then get home and have to water again.

I think positioning is vital and if trees arent turned, then full sun is key. in your case with your collection mate, I think your trees would benefit from it somewhat as they do get some shade from your veranday

jamie

[Graeme]

Very important to rotate or trees as often as possible, both for sunlight and shade.

Sunlight can also be used to great advantage when styling new trees. My trees receive morning sun and so, for the most part, I place the backs of my new trees toward the sun. This generates more growth to that part of the tree, helping to fill in and give greater depth to the tree. Care has to be taken that the front doesn't suffer and go backward tho' if you are doing this with your trees. You may also find that a weaker part of a tree can be stimulated by allowing more sun to that section as well.

[Mojo Moyogi]

Hi senseijames and everybody.

Jamie,
I reckon that when you are as far North as you are, it is probably not so important to rotate your trees, because the sun is virtually overhead throughout the year. Down here in Mexico and especially here where 40m tall forest comes into play, sunrise in my garden can be at 8:00am in summer and as late as 10:30am in mid winter (when it is not obscured by a 3km thick layer of cloud that is), I am constantly moving trees around chasing the sun as it recedes in the cooler months. If I don't, I am going to end up with hollow Shimpakus and Tridents that sulk and don't respond favourably when they are hard pruned .

I strongly encourage full sun exposure as a general rule if:
1) it is available where you grow your trees,
2) you are able to monitor water requirements on a regular basis and protect your trees from the wind in summer and
3) your trees are in pots of an appropriate depth and are growing in a free draining, moisture retentive mix. Particular attention needs to be paid to having fine surface roots covered by potting media, not exposed to sun and wind.

I'll add that it bothers me that I still see a lot of trees that are potted way too high in what would be rediculously shallow pots in the UK let alone in Australia. I think this is partly caused by the obsession bonsai growers have (myself included years ago) of getting trees in bonsai pots way too soon in their development.

Cheers,
Mojo

[senseijames]

Definately beneficial, very important to rememger to do it

Thanks for the input Gerard

[senseijames]

G'day Taffy, Jamie, Graeme, whereswally007, Mojo, Matt. Thanks for the pointers guys, all very much worth considering, finding time and remembering which ones were turned last is a foreseeable problem maybe. cheers
James

[bonsaibruce]

Howdy James,
How was the meeting last weekend? I thought about driving up, but an invitation for dinner at Byron Bay came my way. Unfortunatly I was too ill for either.
I have some of my trees on old CRT computer monitor stands. They allow about 90degree rotation and lots of tilt. I definitly notice a difference in my trees when I give them move bench space and different sun.
Happy bonsai,
Bruce

[bodhidharma]

G'day B.B I have way to many trees to have the luxury to do that. What i have done is to try and position them strategically enough to get the most benefit from brother Sun. My trees do not seem to suffer. The most important discovery was moving my prunus and Malus into the sun from the shadehouse. Cured their powdery mildew problem instantly.

[Pup]

I do it, but not as often as I should, as some are too big, and the turntables have rusted, the smaller ones get turned about once per month. It is definitely beneficial.

Cheers Pup

[senseijames]

Howdy James,
How was the meeting last weekend? I thought about driving up, but an invitation for dinner at Byron Bay came my way. Unfortunatly I was too ill for either.
I have some of my trees on old CRT computer monitor stands. They allow about 90degree rotation and lots of tilt. I definitly notice a difference in my trees when I give them move bench space and different sun.
Happy bonsai,
Bruce

G'day Bruce, good to hear from you mate, I was thinking if one had enough money , one would put turntables under all the Bonsai, must remember to put my lotto in this weekend
Best Regards
James