AusBonsai

Hey there peoples...another question...just as a matter of interest...how many people keep their Bonsai out in the weather without any shadecloth covering, mine is under 50% black shadecloth, do you think they would be better out in the open, exception being in the full summer sun say 11:00am to 2:00 or 3:00pm, mine have always been under shadecloth for nearly 38 years odd ?? any suggestions...would the plants thrive better in the open ?? cheers
James

They are trees mate, put them out.
Except for trees that are not frost tollarent in frosty areas.

My olives, junipers and pines get all day sun. The rest get morning to mid afternoon sun. No shade cloth. I think there could be an advantage to shade cloth but to me [inexperienced in the use of it] I would think 50% was too severe. They do need sun and rain but many species are happier without the afternoon sun beating down full force. I keep my cascade pots in larger black plastic pots with styrofoam inserts to keep the roots from overheating and that's about the only concession I make to the heat. On days over 35 degrees the more fragile trees are moved to shadier areas but they all live fully out in the great outdoors.

Hey James being a cold climate tree fan in the sunny wheat fields I now use shade cloth at 50% but I have a system that allows me to put it up when the temps start getting to 35. I then take it down in Autumn again. I have my sun lovers in mostly full sun.
I would start experimenting with more Sun and see how it goes!

Hi James that would depend on the species you are growing. Some of the more tender cool climate trees may require some shade from the hot afternnoon sun. But all trees will require some sun at some stage of the day. Of course this is all related to your local climate but as a general rule trees are best in the open.
Craig

Mine get full sun from sunrise till midday, then they spend the rest of the day in the shade.

craigw60 wrote:Hi James that would depend on the species you are growing. Some of the more tender cool climate trees may require some shade from the hot afternnoon sun. But all trees will require some sun at some stage of the day. Of course this is all related to your local climate but as a general rule trees are best in the open.
Craig

Hi Criag an interesting scenario was given in a bonsai placement article I read. It suggested that a understory tree such as maple or hornbeam could be best never actually getting direct sun. It stated that a good spot would be where there was clear sky above the tree but never in direct sunlight.
I think it suggested that just bouncing light was sufficient for these trees. I don't really have a spot like that so can't say whether it works.

Hi Brett, When I went to Japan one of the things which really stood out to me was how exposed the trees were. They were right out in the full sun with no protection at all. I understand that their summers while quite hot are very humid, so for us to do that to our trees would be a disaster. However I do think a level of direct sun is beneficial, how much sun you give them would depend on your location. The trees in my garden are growing taller each year and the amount of full sun I receive is getting less and less, I can see the impact this is having on my bonsai in terms of leaf size and ramification. I really think too much shade encourages large soft leaves and long internodes.
Craig

Thanks guys for your comments
James

craigw60 wrote:Hi Brett, When I went to Japan one of the things which really stood out to me was how exposed the trees were. They were right out in the full sun with no protection at all. I understand that their summers while quite hot are very humid, so for us to do that to our trees would be a disaster. However I do think a level of direct sun is beneficial, how much sun you give them would depend on your location. The trees in my garden are growing taller each year and the amount of full sun I receive is getting less and less, I can see the impact this is having on my bonsai in terms of leaf size and ramification. I really think too much shade encourages large soft leaves and long internodes.
Craig

Actually Craig that makes a lot of sense in regards to the large leaves and long internodes...trees tend to get LANKY trying to reach up to get some sunlight.....so some direct morning sun may be extremely beneficial.
James

senseijames wrote:

craigw60 wrote:Hi Brett, When I went to Japan one of the things which really stood out to me was how exposed the trees were. They were right out in the full sun with no protection at all. I understand that their summers while quite hot are very humid, so for us to do that to our trees would be a disaster. However I do think a level of direct sun is beneficial, how much sun you give them would depend on your location. The trees in my garden are growing taller each year and the amount of full sun I receive is getting less and less, I can see the impact this is having on my bonsai in terms of leaf size and ramification. I really think too much shade encourages large soft leaves and long internodes.
Craig

Actually Craig that makes a lot of sense in regards to the large leaves and long internodes...trees tend to get LANKY trying to reach up to get some sunlight.....so some direct morning sun may be extremely beneficial.
James

Hi,

As much sun as each will tolerate is best for general health, leaf size and ramification etc. However the more sun you get the more you need to up your fertilizing as the more sun sucks it out of the plants quicker(a technical term).

GranT

Grant Bowie wrote:

senseijames wrote:

craigw60 wrote:Hi Brett, When I went to Japan one of the things which really stood out to me was how exposed the trees were. They were right out in the full sun with no protection at all. I understand that their summers while quite hot are very humid, so for us to do that to our trees would be a disaster. However I do think a level of direct sun is beneficial, how much sun you give them would depend on your location. The trees in my garden are growing taller each year and the amount of full sun I receive is getting less and less, I can see the impact this is having on my bonsai in terms of leaf size and ramification. I really think too much shade encourages large soft leaves and long internodes.
Craig

Actually Craig that makes a lot of sense in regards to the large leaves and long internodes...trees tend to get LANKY trying to reach up to get some sunlight.....so some direct morning sun may be extremely beneficial.
James

Hi,

As much sun as each will tolerate is best for general health, leaf size and ramification etc. However the more sun you get the more you need to up your fertilizing as the more sun sucks it out of the plants quicker(a technical term).

GranT

Hey there Grant, I don't know if you remember me, James, when I used to buy wholesale bonsai stock plants from you back in early 2002, for resale ( Shangrilah Bonsai Supplies in Gympie ), I would probably say that you left a big gap in the wholesale Bonsai Stock Plant business when you sold up and moved onto bigger and better things, best of luck to you, I am at present helping out a local nursery up here whom are putting Bonsai Supplies into their nursery sussing out supplies for him and thus found out that you have moved on, so I went down to Brisy and got some plant stocks from Steve, great to hear about you. cheers
James

Yep James,

Sure do remember you. But I don't regret moving on from the business as my back wouldn't have lasted till retirement.

Cheers,

Grant

gday james

im in hervey bay not to far from you and i keep my trees in full sun, some get a little bit of prtection from midday sun but that will be changing in a couple of weeks as i am moving, just down the road but i will have a proper setup there and it will be full sun all day, i will be making a stand that will have the arms for shade cloth but i doubt i will ever put it on.

jamie

Jamie wrote:gday james

im in hervey bay not to far from you and i keep my trees in full sun, some get a little bit of prtection from midday sun but that will be changing in a couple of weeks as i am moving, just down the road but i will have a proper setup there and it will be full sun all day, i will be making a stand that will have the arms for shade cloth but i doubt i will ever put it on.

jamie

Hello Jamie....we must be nearly neighbors ...LOL.... Hervey Bay hey....don't know if you read my post on a new Bonsai Group starting up here in Gympie...but....if you are not busy this Sat 29th, maybe you would like to come down to our meeting its only really our first gathering, we had an open day a month ago...which i didn't go to, bcause I didn't know about it....looks like I have been sorta put upfront for it now....if you are interested...check out the web blog.... http://www.kinnotobonsaigroup.blogspot.com you would be very welcome, its being held at Golden City Brick & Landscape, 114 Noosa Road, Gympie.between 10 am and 1 pm. cheers
James