AusBonsai

I have just been looking on some South African bonsai sites, as I think they have a very similar climate to Adelaide (or so I have been told). Any way one thing I have never heard is

A. palmatum (Japanese maple) There are several varieties of this very desirable and very good tree for bonsai. Maples respond well to defoliating and are a must for bonsai. One tablespoon of vinegar to a litre of water once a month is very beneficial to maples, especially where the water is 'limey'

Has anyone ever heard of, or even tried this? Is this just to help control PH levels in a crude way? The website I got this from is here http://www.sabonsai.co.za

the acidity in vinegar is used to level out the alkalinity of the lime in the water. so yea, just a way of making the water better for the trees. I dont think you would have to worry bout it. I cant see any other use of it at all other than that.

Did you try this and how did it turn out? Am curious about the soil quality in mine now

I think a lot of people worrying about not to much really.

As Bohdi has said a lot of not to worry here. Australia's water quality is in general very good, so no worries there.

Vinegar is a good weedicide for young weeds and Liverwort, and moss growing up tree trunks, so you do not damage the bark of pines and any corky types.

Like scraping it of with tools sometimes does.

Pup

Can you explian how it is used as weedicide for young weeds and Liverwort please Pup
Dam weeds are making me nuts

Bretts wrote:Can you explian how it is used as weedicide for young weeds and Liverwort please Pup
Dam weeds are making me nuts

Put it in a spray bottle and spray them at full strength, weeds must be young, liverwort any time, for path ways boiling water is a very good cheap way also.


Also it is not the weeds that are making you nuts

Thanks Pup I will start to experiment with this.

Also it is not the weeds that are making you nuts

Yes Ok it is not just the weeds I do have a wife and kids as well

Thanks Pup for the info on weed control and vinegar! It may not always be practical, but I know that the dreaded Liverwort does not grow in pots if you put a layer of pebbles on the surface of the soil.
Cheers, Dario.

Dario wrote:Thanks Pup for the info on weed control and vinegar! It may not always be practical, but I know that the dreaded Liverwort does not grow in pots if you put a layer of pebbles on the surface of the soil.
Cheers, Dario.

Dario, I have trays of pebbles that my minatures sit on, for the humidity they need in the dry heat, that is what I spray most as it does grow on/in the pebbles here.


Cheers Pup

Interesting Pup, thanks for sharing. There are always exceptions to the rule and may be to do with humidity levels etc?
It was passed on to me by my Horticulture teacher whilst studying at TAFE and it does work for me in my climate (micro-climate) in Melbourne.
I find it an effective method to combat Liverwort in pot plants, although Liverwort is more likely to thrive in water logged soils versus free draining ones.
Maybe like Pup it won't work for you, but I encourage others to give it a go as I have found it to be 100% effective.
Cheers, Dario.

Hey guys,

Just thought I'd chime in with my in relation to the layer of pebbles. Unfortunately Dario I've had liverwort in a few of my established trees. Many have had a layer of pebbles for aesthetic reasons. Hasn't prevented any form of weed getting in there! Maybe I'm just unlucky??

Cheers and emery Xmas
Hbk

Hi hbk13007, it doesn't stop weeds...but I'm specifically talking about Liverwort.
It does work for me and other people that I know in pot plants etc,and I use a good 5cm layer of pebbles on the soil surface.
It may not work for you but as I said I have found it to be 100% effective in my climate and I would still encourage others to at least try it out.
I only mentioned it as another simple/easy/non-invasive option to combat Liverwort...interesting to hear that it doesn't seem to work for others though.
Cheers, Dario.