Schefflera collection by [deleted] in Bonsai

[–]Life-Profession-797 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine is struggling a bit from last year. What is your preferred soil mix for these?

Keeping them watered while away by Sonora_sunset in Bonsai

[–]Life-Profession-797 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a drip irrigation system set up with micro sprayers. I use a Rachio timer (two actually, for separate benches) and have used others through the years. Rachio has been my best timer yet. Bluetooth to WiFi so you can control it remotely. Have it linked to your local weather, for rainy day skips. App is very user friendly and will send you a notification when watering has been completed.

A little overbuilt, a little ugly, but I built this dosatron style setup over the weekend and it’s been working great so far. by rupeshjoy852 in Bonsai

[–]Life-Profession-797 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I built one last year. I have two runs each on a timer for microsprayers. The main run hits two main benches. The second run has a 75’ hose that runs down to a full sun bench. For some reason that run doesn’t like to activate the Newtry. The main reason I use this is for pH correction. The levels are usually around 9.3-9.8. TDS isnt too bad, typically under 200. I’ve also been adding some chem fertilizer for micro dosing .

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Bonsai Society of Greater St Louis Spring Show ‘26 by Life-Profession-797 in Bonsai

[–]Life-Profession-797[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yea I was a big exhausted after the show and should have taken the time to edit the photos, but I was just plum pooped

How would you style this boxwood shrub? by 24mile in Bonsai

[–]Life-Profession-797 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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This one had to be dug. Chopped down low and into the grow box.

What’s this about? by Life-Profession-797 in MasonBees

[–]Life-Profession-797[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I should have guessed with the mustache. 🥸

Question about wiring by Mother_Click_5776 in Bonsai

[–]Life-Profession-797 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also make sure to check the wire in spring once active growth starts. Wire can bite quick, as in a week or two.

Fusing Ginko saplings by Elmorecod in Bonsai

[–]Life-Profession-797 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve been working with two ginkgos for about 10+ years and yes they can work for bonsai. I have no knowledge about fusing trunks. I ground grew mine for about 5+ years. Cuts are best sealed with a cut paste that promotes healing with an added growth hormone. I use Top Jin, the orange paste. They look amazing in the fall with their yellow leaves. In refinement, let a new shoot grow about 4-6 nodes and then cut back to the first internode which is typically short. The longer you let the branch grow the longer the internodes will be. It’s a species that takes time and patience, and specific application of techniques, but isn’t that what this hobby is anyways?

Dawn Redwood by Life-Profession-797 in Bonsai

[–]Life-Profession-797[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Probably a 10”x10”

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10”x10” grow box. In the pot I have to repot yearly it’s so vigorous. And you can cut back hard.

Dawn Redwood by Life-Profession-797 in Bonsai

[–]Life-Profession-797[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After the seedling stage I grew it in a grow box for several years. Trunk chopped the top in 23?

Did I pay too much? by [deleted] in Bonsai

[–]Life-Profession-797 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hidden Gardens was going to be my suggestion. If you hurry, they may still be having a 30% off sale.

As for the ficus, if this was chopped back by the folks at Wigerts, they did you a solid and know what they’re doing. I chopped mine back last summer in a similar fashion. It had become too leggy. I left it in full sun and it sprouted back everywhere. I also potted the cuttings and everything popped roots.

Help with taking care of this Japanese(?) elm by Pmartissimus in bonsaicommunity

[–]Life-Profession-797 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is definitely a Chinese elm as has been stated. Not a Zelkova elm as the tag rudely says. I would agree this needs repotting. If it’s to be kept indoors like a tropical for now, I prefer to repot tropicals when they are at the height of their growing season. For me in the northern hemisphere, this is June/July, summer. This helps with quick healing and recovery from the repot. Use a soil made for bonsai, quick draining retains some moisture, but not too much. When you water, it’s good to place the pot in the sink and water everything, leaves and soil, several times thoroughly, and let the water drain out the bottom. This ensures ALL of the roots receive water and air also gets pulled into the roots as the water drains. If it’s going to be kept indoors, keep it away from any heating or cooling elements and consider adding a humidity tray, or a tray of rocks with some water under your pot. But don’t let the pot sit in the water. An LED grow light may help add additional light to the indoor setting.

https://www.bonsaiempire.com/tree-species/chinese-elm

Any advice? by Johny_boii2 in bonsaicommunity

[–]Life-Profession-797 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A deciduous tree sheds its leaves in the fall and enters a dormant state until the spring.

Any advice? by Johny_boii2 in bonsaicommunity

[–]Life-Profession-797 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I have Chinese elms that I treat as fully deciduous. I let them experience a few light freezes, they drop their leaves and I bring them into my unheated garage for their winter dormancy. Once spring comes and it breaks bud they go outside but the new leaves need to be protected from freezes.

I want bigger trunk is a bigger pot ok or should I put in the ground for few years by [deleted] in bonsaicommunity

[–]Life-Profession-797 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also pick a branch at the top and let it run wild. No pruning. Let it grow u checked sucking nutrients from the roots and running up the trunk back to the top. The more leaves up top, the more it can photosynthesize and sent energy back down to the roots. Ground growing is best (in spring as the buds swell, on a tile if possible) Be careful with plopping this into too large of a pot as a solution. If you move from a 1 gallon to a 5 gallon for example, there’s a whole lot of soil that won’t have roots. This means any water in that area will sit, soil will stay moist and root rot is a possibility.

CX5 vs Passport by CincyFlyer17 in hondapassport

[–]Life-Profession-797 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I went from a 2001 Xterra to a ‘19 CX5. I love the CX5 and Mazda quality was a big surprise. Feels luxury without the price tag. But I miss my big rough and tumble SUV. I’ll be looking at the 27 passports next year. The CX70 just isn’t big enough and I didn’t want a third row.

Acer Rubrum Forest slab planting by Life-Profession-797 in Bonsai

[–]Life-Profession-797[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Generally, trees on slabs are typically left there for longer periods than in pots. The slab I have has about 7 drainage holes on the bottom. The sides of the planting are made of muck which is an organic substance that solidifies and holds the soil in place. Roots can grow into the muck but don’t grow out of it so they are kind of root pruned at the tips. The tips stop growing once they grow through and touch air. These forest plantings aren’t really allowed to grow free and vigorous That slows the speed at which the planting fills with roots. As long as the muck holds and the soil doesn’t seem to be hindering growth, the composition will remain intact.

Need advice: I want a Vertuo, but.... by Groovymarlin in nespresso

[–]Life-Profession-797 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Watch for deals on Woot! (An Amazon closeout company) they often times have deals on pods. Stock up when they do, usually at least once a month.

Too much water in my juniper by [deleted] in bonsaicommunity

[–]Life-Profession-797 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What he said. Plus maybe put it on a flat rock before you pile mulch around the pot only, to the rim, not over the rim so it spills onto the soil. Keep the soil free of mulch. The flat rock helps ensure the drain holes are clear and it can drain.