NOTES: This month is the beginning of concentrated bonsai activity. It
is (depending on weather conditions) the start of a new growth cycle.
Check your trees carefully for indication of new growth. For deciduous
trees the best time to re‑pot, transplant and root prune (if necessary)
is when the buds begin to swell and before the emergence of new leaves.
CAUTION: It is better to be a little early than late.
Check condition
of your bonsai prior to root pruning. There is no need to root prune if
the roots are not pot bound (masses of roots pushing against the sides
of the container) and roots indicate healthy growth (white root tips).
REMEMBER that root pruning will induce new growth below and above soil
level and could drastically change the shape and design of your bonsai.
However, a change of soil and re‑potting (without root pruning) can be
beneficial to the health of your bonsai. If you are potting your bonsai
for the first time into a bonsai container you will have to root prune
to reduce the root mass to fit the container. Pruning and pinching
during the growing season can control the new top growth this procedure
will induce.
Re‑potted and
root pruned bonsai should be placed in a shady area for at least two
weeks. After two weeks the trees can be gradually brought out into full
light and your normal display area.
Fertilizer
should be withheld for at least six weeks to allow new roots to grow
into the new soil. After the six-week period you can start a regular
fertilizer program.
Top pruning and
wiring, if called for in the schedule, should be done prior to
re‑potting or root pruning.
March is also an
excellent month to collect native plant material in North Georgia to add
to your growing bonsai collection.
Depending on
weather conditions insect activity could begin this month.
Use appropriate
insecticide to control any intense activity. Read manufacturer's label
and use prescribed dosage. Too much is not better and could be
injurious to your bonsai and to your health.
Your display
benches should be scrubbed and painted with a wood preservative. You
can clean your
benches with a solution of 1 part household bleach to 9 parts of water
to kill fungi, mold and algae. You can use a pump‑type pressure sprayer
to spray the solution and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Scrubbing with
a brush may be necessary for stubborn areas. Rinse thoroughly with
clean water. When completely dry apply a wood preservative even over
treated wood to prevent early decay. As with any chemical to be used
around plants read wood preservative label before using.
March
TRANSPLANT/ROOT PRUNE:
Almond ‑ after
flowering, Apple ‑ as buds begin to appear, Apricot ‑ after flowering,
Azalea‑after flowering, Bald Cypress - when leaf buds begin to show
color, Beech ‑ before buds come out, Birch ‑ as new leaves appear,
Camellia, Cedar, Chamaecyparis ‑ Hinoki, Cherry, Cotoneaster, Crabapple
‑ as buds begin to appear, Cryptomeria, Cypress, Elm, Fig (ficus),
Ginkgo, Hackberry, Hawthorn, Hemlock, Holly ‑ all, Honey Locust ‑as new
shoots appear, Hornbeam ‑ before buds come out, Jasmine (winter) ‑ after
flowering, Juniper, Maples‑all, Pear, Peach, Persimmon, Pines‑All, Plum
‑ after flowering, Podocarpus, Pomegranate, Privet, Pyracantha, Redbud ‑
as flowers begin to appear, Serviceberry ‑ before buds open, Spruce,
Sweetgum ‑ as new buds open, Zelkova, Witch Hazel ‑ before leaf buds
open, Wisteria ‑ after flowering, Yew.
BRANCH PRUNE:
Apple, Azalea ‑
after flowering, Apricot ‑ 2/3 after flowering, Bald Cypress only when
actively in growth with green foliage to the tip of branch (or when
dormant and the branch is at least ½ inch in diameter - pinkie size),
Cedar, Camellia, Cotoneaster, Cryptomeria, Cypress, Elm, Fig (ficus),
Hawthorn, Hemlock, Holly ‑ all, Hornbeam, Juniper, Maples ‑ all,
Mountain Laurel, Nandina ‑ if old canes are too long, Pear, Pines ‑ all,
Privet, Plum ‑ 2/3 after flowering, Quince (Japanese) ‑ after flowering,
Sasanqua, Spruce, Sweetgum, Wisteria, Yew, Zelkova.
TRIM/PINCH NEW GROWTH:
Azalea ‑ pinch new soft growth until June 15, Bald Cypress only when
actively in growth with leaves to the tip of the branch, Beech ‑ only
new growth is trimmed in the spring; wait until new buds have elongated
to where you can see individual leaves and then trim back leaving 2 to 3
leaves. Crab Apple ‑ trim new soft shoots, Hackberry ‑ after new 3‑5
nodes leaving one or two nodes ‑ anytime during the growing season,
Hawthorn ‑ prune new soft shoots.
FERTILIZE:
Cedar,
Chamaecyparis ‑ Hinoki, Cherry, Cryptomeria, Cypress, Juniper, Peach,
Pine ‑ cork bark, Pomegranate.
WIRE:
Bald Cypress,
Cotoneaster, Crab Apple, Fir, Pomegranate, Privet, Pyracantha, Quince ‑
Japanese, Spruce |
