What I saw at the NBPCA today!

[Jow]

Here is a picture i took while on the higways in Japan...... The Japanese are very good at efficiently using space!

IMG_5081.jpg

[Grant Bowie]

My wife took this shot last week.

RIMG0077 - Copy.JPG

Grant

[Gerard]

Great shot Grant, I really like the contrast.
I have never noticed before..... are all the trees on turntables?

[Grant Bowie]

Great shot Grant, I really like the contrast.
I have never noticed before..... are all the trees on turntables?

Yes,

every single tree is on its own turntable whether on its own pillar or on a bench. They are turned to face the public at 10am and 180 degrees around at 3pm; every single day.

large bonsai also have a wooden frame underthem that can be lifted by our small forklift. No more back pain moving large bonsai about.

Grant

[NBPCA]

What is going on this year.Despite a very cold winter so far this year the Taxodium group (Montezuma Cypress) has not appreciably coloured yet?

Taxodium Group - 2011-7-13 -.JPG

Grant

[shibui]

What's going on this year indeed.
There are some potatoes (normally the first to be burnt with frost) with green leaves and stems in my garden
I note from the TV weather that Canberra has had some cooler nights but it probably hasn't got below -3 here this winter and only minor frosts on a few mornings - the continuing wet weather probably has a little to do with that.
At least my taxodium and Metasequoias have dropped leaves but some chinese quince still have almost full leaf cover.

[Scott Roxburgh]

My wife took this shot last week.

Grant

Really nice pic Grant, very inspirational.

Thanks!

[Hornet]

Nice Grant

does anyone know what stick insects eat? I have one on a PinOak that has been there all summer and was wondering

Ken

Mainly foliage, but will feed on any plant matter, buds, stems, flowers and fruit are also eaten. No bugs on the stick insects diet, all species are vegetarian. They dont tend to do too much damage unless in plauge proportions, i normally throw a few on my tree's outside when i have heaps too many young hatching. Great little insects.

John

[chipper5]

Just reading through this thread and what fantastic photos you have! And such a wonderful variety of nature at your doorstep! Its good the cocky is locked out though

Just for some further info- most people already know I think, but both praying mantis and damselflies eat smaller insects like mosquitos and aphids etc- so great to encourage and have around the collection!

And your frog is a Perons Tree Frog, we have them in our yard in Sydney too, another wonderful insect muncher! He looks like he's well fed

Keep posting these fantastic pics!

Chipper5

[NBPCA]

IMG_4483.JPG

IMG_4484.JPG

IMG_4486.JPG

[MattA]

Great pic...

I have them come up in my garden & I have never been able to get a good shot. Do you know what they are?

Matt

[NBPCA]

Leigh took a photo with his macro. One was broken already.

_MG_6775.JPG

_MG_6779.JPG

They look like a Death Star. They attact flies with the smelly brown exudation.

Grant

[Ash]

And are aptly named Aseroe rubra

cheers
Ash

[NBPCA]

Here is a pic of the trunk of Teds Angophora after rain this morning. The green is amazing.

Teds Angophora after rain.JPG

Grant

[NBPCA]

Hi all,

Thangs have really started to settle down here at the collection after the build up, moving and reopening of the collection.

Today we had two very experienced people working on the trees as there is so much work to do.

Our newest volunteer Michael(but extremely experienced bonsai grower) was helping out with the peppercorn; a new tree on loan to the collection.

We are reinforcing the weeping habit of the tree and doing a general tidy up.

IMG_4515.JPG

leigh has just done a heavy bend on the apex of the cascade juniper, plus a general tidy up.

grant