Thursday 6 January 2011

Winter Update

December has seen temperatures as low as -14C, certainly the lowest I can remember (here in Leicestershire).  The weather has improved a little now and I am taking stock to see if any damage has occurred.  So far there is a few cracked pots and two of my Chinese Box trees are showing frost damage (dry, crispy leaves), but all the other trees seem to be ok.  Spring will tell.
Currently busy digging up some nice Larch and a great Silver Birch raw material from the grow beds.
Also sifting and grading the ingredients for my potting mixes in anticipation of a busy spring.  I am making a video  on bonsai potting soil in the next couple of weeks, so check back if interested.  

3 comments:

  1. Hello,
    I just came across your blog http://nikart-gb.blogspot.com/
    I would like to discuss some things with you, please go to http://ofbonsai.org/contact to get in touch

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mike,

    I have permission to collect material from a friend's wood. I want to try some native species, Oak, Hawthorne, ELm etc.. When is the best time to collect?

    Cheers,

    Matt Robbo

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  3. I love seeing snow covered bonsai!

    It certainly doesn't happen much in Sydney, Australia where I live! It seems to me that the plants must suffer terribly, but I am thinking like an sun-baked Aussie, not a tree that grows in snowy areas anyway. I have also never considered that freezing conditions could damage bonsai pots! That must be annoying.

    I am looking forward to your videos on bonsai potting mixes. I am very interested in the use of various modern substrates for growing bonsai, and I will be sure to include your videos in the resources section of my Bonsai Science - Substrates article!

    Cheers,

    ReplyDelete