winter maintenance for bonsai...

[paddles]

Hi all, for those that don't know I've had eye surgery, and this time my husband is refusing to farm out my trees... for the next mth, they are under his tender loving care... weather they are going to survive this care...

so here is the issue, I normally deal with issues as they crop up, however I find myself having to write out instructions for him...

Help!!!

[kcpoole]

For a month or 2 they can survive quite happily with making sure they are watered regularly. the rest can Wait

but here is some tips on what to do thru the seasons
https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... h_month%3F

Ken

[shibui]

Agreed Ken, very little that is vital at this time of year except maintain watering.

Some things I try to do over winter are:
Water as needed. Pots are still drying out here in the lovely sunny northeast Vic. autumn days.
Clean up fallen leaves after they drop. (less room for pests and diseases to overwinter in a clean area)
Check for pests hiding amongst the twigs and branches (scale and aphids overwinter on the trees)
Rake off any compacted, hard areas of surface soil so the mix can breathe more easily. (organic ferts and moss growth breaks down soil particles and leaves a layer of fines that can impede water and air movement)
When leaves have fallen check branch structure to decide where to prune, thin out crowded areas, etc
Wiring to tweak the shape or improve structure.

For your purposes Paddles just get him to water as needed and keep the area tidy. Everything else will wait until late winter, early spring.
I've been hoping to visit one day but don't seem to be travelling downriver very often at the moment. Will catch up one day
Hope the eyes come good.

[paddles]

yes, even getting him to water is a pain.. I've been going out and doing it myself (dr says NO OUTDOORS Work...) but don't see how a little watering can stir up dust. I can't weed, No brushing down shelves etc.. I guess the trees will survive, one of the accents has been tipped out of it's pot, I can't even pick it up and put it back in... I'll try to get my son to do it today... sigh... I'm getting old!

[GavinG]

None of my business Paddles, but would swimming goggles (they seal around the eyes) get you outside while protecting your eyes from dust? You might look silly, but what the hell. Never did me any harm.

Best of luck.

Gavin

[paddles]

I did think of that, but I'm told that is one of the worst things I can do, because swimming googles fit tight around the eye... I can get expensive ones, that cover both eyes, clear around the face, but not cover the nose... but that would take time. and dr says not good, can cause infection due to humid build up... he says just stay away from anything that might cause infection or irritation.. its' a pain, but a screw up could mean my sight, and it's only for a mth.. so surely i can manage this...