Winter has properly arrived

After a relatively mild November and December, winter has now arrived with sub zero night time temperatures and snow.
Some of the hardier trees are still braving the weather as nature has intended, but the more tender trees, anything that is heavily wired and most of my shohin sized trees are snug under cover in the as yet unheated greenhouses.

Not long now

This is probably the earliest bonsai show in the British Calendar.
A bit too far for me to travel, but if you are in the vicinity, make sure to have a look in.
There is a extensive list of exhibitors and traders and displays from 15 Bonsai clubs and societies.
Full details can be found on the Swindon Bonsai Club website

Repost from Walter Pall's Blog

This tree was stolen from Walter Pall's Garden.  Please share and repost on your own blog to make selling or moving on of the tree as difficult for the culprits as possible. Any information as to the whereabouts of this tree to Walter Pall.: bonsai@walter-pall.de

Zelkowa stolen

Zelkowa, Zelkowa serrate, very fat, stole on July 25 from my garden. While everything is under video control there is a very small area where this tree stood exactly which is not covered. Please hold the thief and report. We probably know that person.

Trident Maple Thread Graft

Still no sign of summer arriving here in Leicester :(

 I decided to work on some of my raw material this week, and this trident was crying out for some attention. It has been standing around in the growing area for a few years now, just getting the odd trim. Today I decided to do something about the lack of branches in the lower part of the tree.

 

Impressions from our Bonsai Club Exhibition

I am a member of Wigston Bonsai Club here in Leicester, and we had the first of our annual exhibitions this Sunday. Due to space restrictions we could only show a small amount of our trees, but every little helps to raise awareness of the hobby. Visitor numbers were good and we had a lot of interest from the general public. I have put together a small video of the day.

Hailstorm Video

Here is some footage of the hailstorm that did the damage.  I have edited out most of the expletives.

More weather

End of June and I should be sitting in the garden with a nice glass of wine, enjoying the sunshine and admiring my Bonsai.

 FAT CHANCE!

 Having ensured nearly two months of rain, wind and low temperatures, we just had a massive hailstorm to top the lot. I honestly have not seen anything like this in the last 30 years. Leaves and branches were stripped of the bonsai and the greenhouse roof is completely shattered. You can see the size of the hailstones from the impact craters in the seed trays. The force of the hail actually dented the bonnet and roof of my car. Anyhow, best get clearing up!

 More picture here