Dates to remember:
October 6, 2015 – Jim VanLandingham workshop.
November 21, 2015 – Russell Coker workshop.
-The Pensacola club has invited you to attend a special workshop hosted by BSF
President Mike Knowlton and his wife, Lunetta, on November 8 at the Pensacola Garden
Center, 9th Ave and Avery at 7:00 PM. RSVP to mahpcola@cox.net.
September - Things To Do And Plans To Make
Lee Vanderpool
Maples and sweetgum tend to get leaf burn in the scorching sun and drying winds of July
and August. Fortunately, we have had a lot of rain which helped those tender trees to
resist the dessication of hot weather. Wisteria should have been pruned hard in August to
encourage new growth which will be hardened off before the advent of cold winter
weather and which will produce blooms next spring. Maples and other deciduous trees
should have been defoliated to encourage twigging (ramification). By judicious trimming
of new growth and defoliation, you can trick your trees into doing two years of growth in
one season. With the advent of fall, you should expect a short burst of new growth from
your trees before they begin to shut down for the winter. This burst of growth is
necessary to allow the tree to store sufficient food in its trunk and roots to take it through
the winter and to push out the first new leaves next spring. Begin routine fertilizing with
medium high nitrogen fertilizer to help the tree get those new leaves out and hardened off
before it has to shed them in preparation for winter. Along with this last burst of new
growth comes rapid expansion of branches and trunks so be sure all wire is removed to
avoid wire marks on bark. Now is the time to begin to consider winter storage of your
tender and tropical bonsai. A sheltered porch or greenhouse should be available for those
cold nights which can be the bane of temperature sensitive trees. Move these trees to
shelter gradually over a period to prevent leaf drop due to lack of light. Have a good fall.