Apr 24 2015

Workshop County Clare

In efforts to spread the bonsai word to all of Ireland, we now venture to Bunratty in County Clare. This time we add a new partnership to the mix with the newly opened Bud Garden Centre. The Munster Bonsai Club guys, as usual, are pushing to spread the art of bonsai and this time around we move from County Cork, right up to Clare. This gives a great opportunity to any bonsai interested folk in the west to take part. On the edge of Connaught, we open up a new portion of Ireland to wee trees. If you are reading this and are thinking of taking the plunge, be assured that none of us take ourselves to seriously, and that the main aim of the day will be to play with wee trees, make new friends and learn in an enjoyable friendly atmosphere. As a wise woman once said, “Go on, ya will, ya will, ya will” 😉

Apr 17 2015

Berberbis Bagatelle

I now know the exact name of this Berberis Clump, I found the original label buried in the root mass when I was giving it a clear out a few days ago.

This was it before clearing. I just wanted to remove excess mix from the pot and some of the old garden soil and aerial roots from around the base.

After the clean up I have uncovered about an extra inch worth of base.

Look forward to getting this one into a smaller more manageable pot next year.

Apr 11 2015

New Arrivals

Another swap session with a like minded accent lover, this time in Belgium and I now have some new varieties in the collection. It did a while for them to get here, post can be really hit and miss these days, some get here in days and others in weeks. It seems to work like that on the return journey too. Be patient, Xavier, Peter and Robyn, your plants are on route 😉

You can see from the potted up pics that the plants have grown whilst in transit and are a little yellow due to lack of light. Given a few weeks, this will sort itself out.

Apr 9 2015

Airlayer it!

Finally got around to sorting a few air layers this week.

First up was this Korean Hornbeam. This is the front as it sits now.

This will be the new front. However the top of the taller trunk is heavy and needs removed. It will make a nice little shohin clump if layered off.

Layer point marked.

Cambium layer removed.

Layer in pace.

And this Cork bark Elm with poor nebari.

And this Zelkova which will make a nicer broom having removed all the tall leaders.

A Chinese Elm that I’m layering for a customer. The tree came to me in poor health and had lost a lot of lower branches. Best option is to layer off the top and use the nice base as a new tree.

Dis a few more but was on a roll and forgot the camera 🙂

Apr 7 2015

Root Over Rock Itiogawa Juniper

After waiting to make sure this Juniper was happy after a recent styling, I finally transferred it over to a new pot. Not the final pot, but one that allowed me to adjust the tree to the proper planting angle.

Before styling in February.

After styling in March.

Repotted now.

Apr 6 2015

First Swallow 2015

I keep a log here each year noting the date I see the first Swallow arriving for the Summer. The last two years have been on the 16th & 17th April, this year we are ahead of schedule with my first sighting today. A glorious Easter Monday with blue skies. A great way to start the day.