[SOLVED] My first Bonsai (Christmas Present)

[sargeonline]

Hey Bonsai Dan!

Here is an image of the white spots on some of the leaves:

bonsai-white-spots.jpg

Should I be trimming these off? They're not lumpy like the 'gall' I have recently read about but not sure if I should be conerned about them or not. They seem to appear on the older leaves of the Bonsai tree, not the newer ones.

Any tips for trimming an Azalea ? I am thinking of giving it a trim, especially the top parts but given it will be my first trim I'd like to do it right

[bonsai_Dan]

Have a real close look at your trunk can you see any white spots or little grey/ blacks bugs on it?

Dan

[Bougy Fan]

Hi Daniel and welcome. Another Brissy boy eh ? If you are a Southsider the Bonsai Society would be closer, and if you are a Northsider Bimer would be the go. Have fun experimenting with your new tree - in a few years time you will look back at it and do this

Anyway have fun and by all means bring it inside to admire but as everyone else has stressed it is a tree and will not do well inside all the time.


Tony

[Ron]

Hi Daniel and a welcome to the forum from me too.

It's great to see that you're interested enough in your new Christmas bonsai tree to join the forum and learn more about it and bonsai.

A family member of mine and her husband were given a beautiful little Trident for Christmas, still wired and looking very healthy. I don't think they'll have the slightest interest in it as bonsai and it came with no instructions. They too thought it was an indoor plant. I felt like I was lecturing them when I gave a few hints on its care. (I should've treenapped it when everyone was at the table )

I can't help wondering how many dead Christmas present bonsais will be around in a few months. Hopefully at least a few who received them, like you, will have their interest in bonsai aroused.

Cheers,
Ron

(Just realised I joined on this day last year and around the same time I started typing the above reply.)

[sargeonline]

Thanks all for the warm welcome

I gave my tree a bit of a trim today and a haircut to get a bit of shape happening. Trimmed off all the leaves with white bits on it. Was nice and relaxing giving the tree a trim while watching the cricket (even though we're going so badly). Will post a picture tomorrow night. During my trimming I found a couple of white, almost see through little bugs and a little black bug. The gf was doing some research on Azaleas while I was trimming and finding bugs and they seemed to be a common Azalea bug. Also found black stuff which we found out was the bugs poop under some of the leaves and also found some white, very small but thick webbing, maybe where they were hiding or putting eggs/babies?

Have the tree resting outside now and is looking pretty snazzy and much more tree-like with it's new haircut.

@ Bougy Fan / Tony - I reside northside of Brisbane. Will have to google Bimer Bonsai and scope them out. Thanks for the heads up

@ Ron - Definitely interested in looking after my new Bonsai as best I can and finding everything I can about them. Can't wait to get some more and see the development of my Azalea, especially after giving it a trim today.

[bonsai_Dan]

Yup thought so. looks like you have a double wammy. Spider mites and aphids. There's an oil based solution you can use I just can't remember the mix well thats if you didn't want to use a pesticide that is but you might have to use a pesticide because the leaves look pretty bad unfortunately.

Good luck and glad your enjoying it though

Dan

[bonsai_Dan]

Ah yeah i just remembered there's a spray you can get its called Rogor. Get that you can get it from bruzzings or your local garden store and spray it every two weeks till its gone.

Dan

Edit: Forgot to mention do it late arvo as you don't want to burn the leaves by letting it sit in the sun.

[sargeonline]

Hey guys,

I never got around to showing off the tree after I gave it a trim. So here is an attempt at something fancy but horribly unprofessional shot of my bonsai. I actually like the look of the back than my current 'front' shot (like the look of the branch structure).

Any ideas on what I should do with the tree next in terms of styling it?

Also looks like I have a little weed growing on the side (how did it get there?!) I was hoping it might be a seedling or something but I don't think it is

front.JPG

side1.JPG

back.JPG

side2.JPG

[kcpoole]

ASt the moment just keep it happy and healthy
Enjoy it as it is and once you have a few more and gain experience the tree will tell you what to do with it

For me I would be removing some of the branches ( the little thin ones) so you can see and enjoy the main branching and structure of the tree.

Ken