What does this have to do with Bonsai?  You see, it is too easy to think, I will do that ’thing’ tomorrow or the next day or the next week.  And before you know it, the season is over and it is too late!  Now you may have to wait until next year. I look outside and see all the ‘tasks’ that need to be done and most days, I do them in order of urgency and importance.  Rarely do I get everything done that I want but there are results.  Some days it is hard to keep up with just watering, other days real progress is made. Some days, life gets in the way.

When the tree trimmers came because the oak tree was growing into the electric lines, I was annoyed.  But afterwards I was thankful and happy because frankly, the area had gotten overgrown. I seized the opportunity to trim and care for everything in that area.  The cuttings, pre-bonsai and bonsai there now look so good.  It motivated me to move on to the next area… Do you have an area that you keep really good care of  (your pride and joy bonsai) and then a corner of the yard that people don’t notice that isn’t paid enough attention?  Hats off to you if all your bonsai look pristine and show-ready!

Yesterday, I watered everything and defoliated a Buttonwood. When I watered it this morning, it looked so good (even leafless) I beamed with pride even though I was alone. That was all I had time for yesterday but today is a new day!  I noticed the palm tree dropped a frond and is pushing down on my Ficus Phillipensis – unacceptable.  A Mulberry needs spraying because it has mealy bugs – it’s in the hospital area now.  The penjing Ficus Nerifolia has grass weeds growing in it.  Tropicals need repotting before the summer is over. I think of it all and just smile, because “Today is the day” and “Now is the time”!  What’s going on in your garden? Whether it’s 10 minutes or 2 hours… just do something, and when you are done, your reward could be a smile, a lemonade, an easy chair in the air conditioning, a walk on the beach, spending time with family or maybe an adventure you’ve been putting off too long.

A special thanks to Wayne for watering all the bonsai and to Wayne and Mom for taking care of Kiwi, the Bonsai guardian cat, while we were away on ‘vacation’.  You’re the greatest!

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Ficus Nerafolia in need of pruning

Surface roots in too shallow of a pot

This is one of the trees that I was given to look after.  It is leggy, and the roots were in poor condition.  I know these trees are very forgiving though and knew after being repotted that it would be fine.

Of course this got me to thinking about my own collection, and what my trees mean to me.  Not to mention what will happen to them after my time on Earth comes to pass.  I often think that if I am able I will simply take the trees out into a nicely wooded area where I could plant them and allow them to grow into their full sized relatives.  I guess only time will tell

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As I put the tree in the front of the membership I pointed out the large root in the back of the trunk and the low left branch.  Before I knew it, Mike Rogers had grabbed a saw and removed them in full agreement.  It changed the look of the tree immediately for the better. 

Here is the tree after the branch and root had been removed.  You can see the hole it left in the canapy to the right of the trunk, but the lower left branch is not even missed.

The trunk line is now more simple, and the scars will cover quickly.  In fact in a couple Florida months this tree’s canopy will be filled in once again.

I wired a few branches in order to move them into the open space so that they can begin to fill in.  It won’t be long before I can post an updated shot of this much improved tree.

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