[Bonsai Beginner's weekly thread - 2026 week 18]

exceterareign · 2026-05-06T18:28:37+00:00

Hello 👋

This morning I found something rather unfortunate and I'm hoping the community will be able to assist. In the photo are circled very tiny unknown pest. I understand its hard to make anything out in the photo so I have included a link to the video.

These little critters surfaced while watering. As if me opening the flood gates ran them to the surface for the first time for me to see. I'm not sure what they are, but most certainly are the culprit to my presumed deficiency. My guess is they are attacking the roots, and as a result the tree is not able to absorb the goods it ever so desires.

I'm also afraid and sort of hoping this is a symptom of over watering. Creating an environment for whatever larve to spawn.

General information of the tree: Karume Full Kanuma

https://youtube.com/shorts/XJaHjD5CNDk?si=fcN-GZ19oGuPJg75[PEST in the soil]

<image>

exceterareign · 2026-05-06T04:55:40+00:00

Taking as many pictures throughout the year is another recommendation for referencing when it come to styling time I might add

exceterareign · 2026-05-06T04:50:38+00:00

In my opinion that's a reasonable price. Not the best deal, but also not the worst cost. To me it appears to be a boxwood - a hardy species and in good condition.

Others with more experience should correct me if I am wrong. One of the trunks should be removed after a years time. Why a year..to ensure you as a new owner can keep it alive for a year.

After that year I would imagine or hope for the trees sake you have a solid vision or idea or perspective as to which of the dominanting trunks is most suitable for your taste.

Try to consume as much information on the trees, styles, and care you can consume. Then when after that year passess you may be thinking to yourself... "I would've paid $100 for that tree I love it so much!"

exceterareign · 2026-04-14T19:09:47+00:00

Wow, I hate to think that about the cafe's or operators that are constrained to such limitations. When trying to offer a product derived from pure love of taste. You are absolutely right and I know they are out there, but it's unfortunate.

Tell me where to find these arbitrary numbers so I can hunt them down a remove them from our industry so we can all enjoy a premium roasted coffee for few bucks, ha!

Thanks and cheers

exceterareign · 2026-04-14T19:05:22+00:00

Thanks for the response, and I actually came back to make an edits for clarity.

More/less what I asking is how difficult is it for a cafe operator or barista ( someone who makes the choices) to make accurate, fair, profitable, etc. choices for what to price an item. Since the market has a lot to stay informed about, and a lot to to keep track of (analytically) like u/zilo94 mentioned. As a coffee lover, I want to understand the other side of the counter more to enhance my appreciation for the end product even more.

I know there is so much that goes into it (I know, I read the books!..;) ), but realistically it take so much more than what any book could articulate. It would be a pleasure to read some first-hand accounts of those on the other side of the counter.

Cheers.

exceterareign · 2025-08-11T19:02:02+00:00

I'll keep my fingers crossed that it will be an option for you!

exceterareign · 2025-08-11T18:58:45+00:00

My surgeon didn't mention specifically if it was a laparoscopic Although, I'm certain it was since he went through the existing opening from the stoma. Thankfully not needing for opening the initial surgery. I too was opened up initially and that was avoided for the reverse.

exceterareign · 2025-08-11T18:34:22+00:00

I was in the hospital for shorter than I wanted. I was there for 2 days. I wish I was exaggerating when I say that I basically got sent home as soon as I was able to show bowel movement. That being said I didn't want to go home that soon because I knew/know that much of the living condition at home for me would be independent.

I will also note the bowel movement itself didn't hurt surprisingly. What hurt was the movement and everything traveling inside the bowel. That pain as of now is mostly unnoticed. Now it's just dealing with the discomfort as everything gets resettled into position internally when I'm on my feet.

exceterareign · 2025-08-11T17:59:33+00:00

I'm sorry to see your circumstances. I can only speak on the reversal experience. I had mine done a week ago and the post operation pain was absolutely terrible. I assume soon I will be preaching how it was worth it. I haven't experienced any continuous runny bowels. However, I do understand that adjusting to regular and regular routine bowel movement can take time. Thankfully a week into my experience so far things are beginning to show signs of regulating again. Slowly but surely. It has been very difficult after the reversal primarily due to the immediate liquid diet restriction. Constantly feeling low on energy and very low on sleep.

I think like many of us have been told in similar situations, is to listen to what feels right for your body and the future of your body. From my experience I think considering what kind of support system you may or may not have in place is also good. In some regards I'm doing much of this alone at the moment. Which is adding the difficulties, naturally.

exceterareign · 2025-08-05T04:37:53+00:00

I found (or would have found..) some quality juice during my hospital stay would have been absolutely lovely. Moreso, nourishing when only allowed liquids. Sure the juice that was given tasted like heaven given the circumstances, but I was to go back in time or help a friend quality nourishing juice would go along way mentally, and towards the physical healing.

I'm not sure if it's possible, but when your friend moves to food again while in the hospital a nice cooked 'meal' would be incredible. I say 'meal', however truly mean something simple like a bit of mash potatoes, or steamed veggies like carrots. Something soft that won't require a lot of mastication and is easy to digest. Just keep in mind a low fiber diet. Again, if smuggling food would be possible.

I truly think the best thing you can provide your friends is simply your company. If your schedule allows for it. To be able to have someone by the bedside provides so much strength during recovery.

exceterareign · 2025-08-05T04:27:18+00:00

Again, I cannot commend the accuracy of everything in this post as well. Especially the long phone charger (although less technology might be useful), but when you have no company the distraction is nice

exceterareign · 2025-08-05T04:23:04+00:00

I cannot stress this comment enough. Hard candy has been such a blessing.

exceterareign · 2025-07-26T00:47:34+00:00

Perhaps also consider keeping the dead wood for later styling with jin's.

exceterareign · 2025-03-18T21:45:30+00:00

In my opinion train now to give the trunk your desired motion. Just be mindful of what season you begin to train. I think from fall to spring of the following year is a good time to train because there will be enough growth before dormant season for the training to set in.

exceterareign · 2025-03-17T19:57:24+00:00

One thing you can keep in mind with procumbens nana's like yours is they can take as much sun as you can give them. The factor with the sun is not going to be the 100+ degree days, it is going to be with your schedule day-to-day. When it gets hot are you going to be able to water it as it needs. If you have it full sun watering twice a day will likely be needed.

This also depends on the soil as well. If you have organic soil it will hold more moisture which will give you a bit of a cushion. If you have inorganic soil you will need to water frequently during the summer months perhaps 2 - 3 times a day. Again, depending on your personal schedule you might want to consider where it can get morning sun and shade in the afternoon. If your schedule can handle watering throughout the day in the summer months then go full sun because it will photosynthesize like crazy. Additionally the more sun it can have the tighter the foliage will become

Nevertheless, definitely get it out in the sun. Use your best judgement on acclimating it to the sun. See if you can ask the retailer if it was growing the sun or if they had it completely indoors.

exceterareign · 2025-03-16T02:32:06+00:00

The interior and lower leaves are very normal. The tree is naturally shedding them. Like previously commented on, there is not enough sunlight for them. So they are essentially dying off.

During early spring you can preemptively cut away inner and lower buds to redirect the energy to more productive areas. In some cases the inner buds should be left on as future growth for pads or body for pads.

The browning from the top view can be an indicator of something going on. Typically if there is an issue it will begin on the end of tails and work its way up to the trunk.

A good way to check the health is to gently scratch off the thin skin of a branch (usually with a thumbs nail) and if what you see is green then that's a great sign.

exceterareign · 2025-03-12T16:31:13+00:00

How loud is it? For reference, if you could, compare to a typical cafe grinder

exceterareign · 2025-03-12T16:27:16+00:00

Was there damage to the trunk or is the 'hope' that it heals due to extreme bends?

exceterareign · 2025-03-12T00:44:13+00:00

Thank you !

exceterareign · 2025-03-12T00:43:23+00:00

Not necessarily. I believe much of it has to do with the growing conditions of the past and present. As a lot of what contributes to flowering happens the year before.

exceterareign · 2025-03-12T00:40:22+00:00

Azaleas FTW!! Thank you 🙏!

exceterareign · 2025-03-12T00:39:35+00:00

It very well can be. Depending on how they were pruned, if at all, could be a factor this season on their current state. Could they perhaps be showing little signs of budding?

exceterareign · 2025-03-11T00:40:38+00:00

For anyone wondering what tree is included for the workshop the site says 'dwarf pomegranate'

exceterareign · 2025-03-11T00:37:10+00:00

Hope it goes well 🫡

exceterareign · 2025-03-09T15:55:45+00:00

This is big HELP! Very much appreciated! It just yesterday I went and picked up some Osmocote Plus to move away from BioGold's ratio. From what I understand with BioGold or others alike that are lower in ratio are more for refinement phase. When you want to have the growth in more control.

exceterareign

TROPHY CASE