AusBonsai

bodhidharma wrote:Here is a hint for Aphids. I have honeysuckles around which the aphids love and they do not appear to hurt the honeysuckle and they keep the aphids of everything else. Then in come the lady bugs and take care of the Aphids

Bodhi, back in bad old days when I lived in the 'burbs, my neighbours had a climbing rose that adorned the top of our fence. The aphids tore it to shreds and left my maple alone, so I am all for sacrificial plantings. That your Honeysuckle wasn't affected by the invaders is a bonus.

Mojo

diatomite is reusable even if mixed with something or at least i do anyways. my mix is a very high percentage of diatomite though 80% plus in most circumnstances.

as for the akadama i have no idea but i think your right bout that it should be where the seedlings are growing into those great trees!

jamie

I think the Japanese are very protective of their own forests to I suspect you don't have to worry too much about the environmental impact of akadama mining on their forests.
Hi Jamie sunlight soap is the very rawest of soaps with no perfumes or nasty additives. It is the sort of product your grandmother probably used to do her washing before washing machines and powders. We use it a lot here because we are on a septic system and it doesn't affect the microbial activity in the tanks. Having to process your own waste on site is great way to find out about nasty household chemicals.
Craig

ahh thanks craig

i couldnt have known that in a millions years

craigw60 wrote:I think the Japanese are very protective of their own forests to I suspect you don't have to worry too much about the environmental impact of akadama mining on their forests.
Craig

I hope so, I only wish that we Australians had similar concern. It is frustrating being up here surrrounded magnificent trees that are destined to be export grade toilet paper. A sad fate for the largest angiosperms on earth .


Mojo

craigw60 wrote:I think the Japanese are very protective of their own forests to I suspect you don't have to worry too much about the environmental impact of akadama mining on their forests.
Craig

Shame the whales of the Southern Ocean can't live in a Japanese forest..

Hi Bonsc,
Couldn't agree more also a pity about the rest of the worlds forests they are happy to see cut down to pump through their computers etc. But as Mojo has pointed out we don't have such a great track record either.
Craig

I had my fortnightly 'fertathon' yesterday and used Seasol's Powerfeed for the first time. Backyard smelt like a fish processing factories for a couple of hours - wonder what the neighbours thought (my familie's thoughts on it are not fit for a family-friendly forum )?

Great idea. I used some chemical ferts just after Christmas and my P. lawrencii promptly dropped dead. My G. robusta dropped all its leaves but thankfully a few shoots popped up - I'm glad that they did cause the compost bin needed topping up! Having said that my figs turned into mean green growing machines I have never had this happen using organics so it would be a great thread to have.

edward

can i ask what chemical fert you used that made this happen? i am especially interested as it made the figs boom


jamie

Hi Jamie
I used Brunnings General All Purpose fertiliser bought at Franklins. It worked a treat on the figs, the exotics didn't miss a beat but as I said some of my natives were not happy chappies.

bonscythe, these were painted by an artist neighbour of mine and sum up my feelings

http://www.dogradey.com.au/doggyweb/sushi.html
http://www.dogradey.com.au/doggyweb/whale.html

I think they may have been for an art prize that was sponsored by Toyota. Which is a bit naughty

Some of of his indigenous inspired pieces on the same site are thought provoking also, I had the honour of seeing some of them them throughout the conceptual stage, which was fascinating, watching somebody pour the scattered contents of their head onto paper.

Cheers
Mojo Moyogi

EdwardH wrote:Hi Jamie
I used Brunnings General All Purpose fertiliser bought at Franklins. It worked a treat on the figs, the exotics didn't miss a beat but as I said some of my natives were not happy chappies.

thanks mate appreciate it. i wonder how it would go with native figs, i dont see it being a problem though the QLD small leaf is one of the toughest trees around

i will keep it away from my hoop pine though

Mojo Moyogi wrote:Hey Steven, what about an Organic section on the board? Feeding, Pest and disease control etc. Chemical free or low chemical input can be achieved and be highly successful in bonsai cultivation. We need a place to share methods and bust some myths. Progressions of our research, so the skeptics take the plunge. Put your hands up people, who wants it?

Mojo Moyogi

I am all for organics. Maybe not another forum though
Looks like I have some reading to do.

Lots of talk about pest control what about fertiliser? Compost tea?