Taking care of our Bonsai plants during the summer season.

 Taking care of our Bonsai plants during the summer season.  

Bonsai means trees growing in shallow containers. Because of shallowness, the soil dries out quickly. When the soil dries out because of evaporation, the plant undergoes stress. During this period, taking care of the plants is more important.  

Watering: Frequent watering, like once in the morning and once in the evening, is important to keep the roots cool. When you are watering, be careful due to the scorching summer. The water that comes out of the pipe will be hot, so let the water run for some time. When cool water comes out, you can start watering the plants.  

Water should be done properly means once you water the plant, the entire soil should be wet, and excess water should come out from the drainage holes. Try to move plants to a shady place. Water twice a day.  

Fertilization to be reduced, nitrogen fertilizers in the peak period of the Summer. Avoid them. Give mild, diluted liquid fertilizers by keeping Bonsais in shady place and watering twice a day, these fertilizers help the plants to overcome stress. Fertilization to be done early in the morning or after the sun set in the evening.  

Cutting and pruning to be avoided during mid-summer days. 

Avoid repotting during this period. If necessary, remove topsoil add fresh soil to the plant.  

Take care of your Bonsai, give them healthy growing atmosphere, watch them growing day by day, year by year. 

 

 

The check points for Bonsai Demonstration on a stage

The main important things to be considered when you are show caseing your Bonsai talent  on

Stage.

Chandan, Kapil, Milind, Prajakta, Supriya, and Ritesh.

It’s a Great chance to showcase your Talent on the world stage

Keep yourself ready for the Exhibition

Make a check list and keep all the material ready .

Take a photo of the materials you are taking to the demonstration

Reach the venue one hour before. 

Check for the stage provided for you, if it is on stage, its good, otherwise, if it is on the same level, ask them, try to keep audience at a distance.

Keep your tables ready. Adjust yourself, keep your tools on the table. Other materials like pots and plants on the backside of the table, 

Don’t keep your other things like plastic bags, purses, on the table, hide them from live camera, focus should be on your work; those things distract the audience

Keep your phones in silent mode and try to finish off in a limited time.

Once onstage, introduce yourself and introduce our group

Slide show for 15 minutes

Then, simultaneously, Chandan, Kapil, and Ritesh's work starts. Milind, Supriya and Prajakta are going to help them

 

Then your demonstration, explain about your work what are you going to do

When the demonstration is going,  we shouldn't disturb the master with our suggestions, let him do it , just we are going to help him 

Clean the table and  highlight your creation.

If anyone finishes early, wait for the other members to finish, till then, give the final touches to your creation

Once all of them have finished their work  the members who are helping can give them a big hand of applause

Then if you have time Q &A section for ten minutes.

Clean the table, and make ready for the second session of the terrarium

First explain about terrariums you are making and show your materials holding in your hand

Start making the terrariums by explaining what you are doing 

Once finished, clean the table show case your creation with lights

Make sure there is a provision to highlight your terrarium, 

Thnak you audience for attending your workshop.  

Last is  take care of your tools, check your belongings, before leaving the stage.

All the Best

You will make it a great success.

The growth of plants during October Month

 The rainy season is over. The sun is rising. During this month, because of the sunshine and more heat during the day, the growth of plants will be more vigorous. During the night time the cool breeze makes the plants comfortable with its regular activity like sending sap to the all parts of the plant,  Sap is a fluid circulates in the body of the plants which carries water through Xylem vessels from the soil through the roots to the entire body of the plant to keep hydrated to do essential functions like food preparation, growth of the plants and flowers and fruits preparation. Phloem is another vascular tube that carries the prepared food from the leaves to the entire parts of the plant to provide proper energy for its growth. 

Our ancient scholars say these two months are of Sharad Ritu, which means the moon reaches near the earth,  we can see a big moon and the well-lit moonlight. During these days, the moon's gravitational pull pulls the groundwater upward, and we experience the high tides in the ocean. During this time, the moisture in the soil will be more, because of the moon's gravitational pull, and it promotes faster growth in plants. More energy will be utilized for the development of the plant. During this period, while the plant energy is distributed to its growth, there is a chance of pests that can attack the plant. 

To encourage plant growth during this period, and to provide more energy, please feed your plants with fertilizers. Keep your plants away from pests by regularly checking them. if any movement of a band of ants moving on your plant means there are some insects. Check both sides of the leaves regularly; if any leaf is affected, remove it. 

Friends, take care of your plants by providing them with fertilizers.

 

 

Conduct yourself well when visiting a Bonsai nursery, and respect Bonsai...

Make Banian plant Bonsai in 3 simple steps

As a tropical plant collector, Collecting a Banian plant is easy. the wild-collected plant is called as Yamadori. It is a Japanese word used for collecting plants from forests.

We find it in many places on the walls of old houses, bridges, or roadside.

Bring the plant home, put it in a garden pot, and let it settle.

After 6 months, give her a shape, keep it in a Bonsai pot. and watch it

Banian plant transforming into Bonsai. This style was achieved in 8 months.

The three main points for better development are,

To provide her with good fertile soil and

Shape her and give a proper style with wiring.

Make a habit of fertilizing the Bonsai regularly.

All these play a vital role in Bonsai's development.

Wild collected Yamadori Banian tree

After some time the plant is wired and shifted to a Bonsai pot. Any time Don't think Keeping a Bonsai plant in a pot interrupts the growth of the plant

As you can see the growth of the plant is well achieved, and the Banian is growing healthy in proper style.

The Journey of Peepal Plant from Yamadori to a Bonsai Plant

Bonsai is the art of shaping a plant using our creativity and imagination to transform it into a beautiful live art piece. We collect plants from the wild, which are known as Yamadori. These plants often have excellent structure, and because they grow in their natural environment, they develop well-formed trunks at the base. Yamadori plants are unique and highly sought after by Bonsai enthusiasts. 

For instance, this peepal plant was collected from the roadside in Vishratwadi, Pune, by our Yamadori collector, Kapil Krishna Gawas, on March 6, 2022.

                                                               

It was collected and potted in a garden pot with garden soil and proper care was taken.

  

This photo was taken on 9th April 2022. The plant lost its leaves due to a severe summer, a change of soil, and repotting. Still, it is trying to settle into its new environment. 

 

On 12th May 2024, it came to my place with new branches at the base and top.   

 On 9th June 2024 long branches were trimmed down, The base of the plant is so charismatic with a good aged look. that is the main attraction of the plant, keeping that as the focal point, the branches were pruned down, and now the base looks thicker. the expected gradual development of branches and more overall growth of the plant.

   The Peepal tree responded quickly to new soil and regular fertilization. By 31 July, there was more greenery, and plenty of new branches were developed. its looking healthy with new fresh leaves.

 Primary Branches were selected and given wiring to have a proper well balanced shape. Secondary small branches were also wired with thin gauge wire. Today on 29th November 2024 the overall look of the Peepal tree is changed. The Peepal Aswath Vrush is very attractive and graceful.

A potted plant is on the way to Bonsai, Murraya Exotica /Kamini

Murraya exotica commonly called Kamini Bonsai. It is a nursery plant. it is growing in a garden pot. thought of making it into a Bonsai, primary shaping has been given by pruning big branches, and a primary shape was given. Secondary pruning was given after two months. now the plant is looking to get the shape of a tree. Still, the plant is in the garden pot and is allowed to grow. Next spring, the plant will be shifted to Bonsai pot.

Barbados Cherry Bonsai development all through the years

Barbadus cherry Bonsai development is explained all through the years.Barbados cherry ( malpighia emarginata )  plant is a sub-tropical small tree that gives small edible fruits, it is an evergreen tree that provides fruits two times a year. It can be made into a beautiful fruiting Bonsai. The leaves are very attractive and glossy.  Barbados cherry trees can be made into different styles with attractive fruits. 

          

Bright red fruits made me buy this Barbados cherry bonsai tree on May 28th, 2018. It was a small plant with only three branches and beautiful fruits hanging on. This is a branch air layered from the mother plant. This charming beauty of fruits attracted me to bring it home.

Brought it home and kept it in a Bonsai pot with fresh Bonsai soil with the thought of making it into a Bonsai tree. 

After one year that is 2019, the plant started growing nicely, it has given many branches and five petal pink colour flowers. then they became red berries and started hanging from the plant The delicate flowers hung beautifully from the branches, swaying in the gentle breeze.

          

In 2021 reporting was done to encourage new growth. The trunk line is given a new look by removing small branches on the trunkline and by keeping some selected primary branches the overall look of the plant is changed. 

In 2021 as the season unfolded, I encouraged the right branch to grow longer and longer. It has given a different look to the look to the plant. It is not a sacrificing branch. My idea for developing this branch is, to expect many flowers and hanging berries, It's a great transformation, with a unique style formation.

2023 there is more development and constant pruning,  keeping the basic shape of the Bonsai, After doing some pruning on primary branches, the plant has started developing secondary branches. On secondary branches, there are small third-generation tertiary branches that started growing. Still, the plant is in the developing stage of pads on branches.

 

Sometimes trimming keeps the plant in shape, actually trimming is cutting away over the growth of the Bonsai. 

Once the fruiting season is over, trim the branches and prepare the plant for the second season of fruits. Fruiting plants need fertilizers of phosphorus and potassium, which are the activators for producing fruits. 

I am sharing the Barbados cherry Bonsai growth over six years. It might have grown a thick trunk if I kept this Bonsai in a big pot for its fast development. 

I have limited space, so growing Bonsai in a large pot is not feasible for me. I believe if we have given proper care over many years, bonsai trees even flourish in tiny Bonsai pots.  

Transforming wild Elegance nursery Jangle jalebi plant into Beautiful Bo...

The plant name is Pithocellobium or manila tamarind or Jangli Jiledi. Brought from a nursery, I was attracted to the leaf's color and butterfly-like leaves. Always use sharp and clean tools when pruning to avoid damaging the tree. Take your time and step back occasionally to assess the overall shape and balance. Remember that bonsai pruning is an art, and it's important to strike a balance between maintaining the tree's health and creating a visually appealing landscape. Occasionally, top pruning (removing the apical bud or tip) can help control the height and encourage lateral branching, promoting a fuller and more compact appearance. Different species of bonsai may require specific timing for pruning. Generally, spring and early summer are good times for major pruning, while light maintenance pruning can be done throughout the growing season. Regularly inspect your bonsai for pests and diseases. Pruning can also involve removing infected or damaged parts to prevent the spread of issues. Perform regular pruning to maintain the desired shape and size of the bonsai. This helps control the growth and ensures that the tree remains in proportion with its container. Turning a nursery plant into a bonsai is a rewarding process that requires patience and ongoing care. With time and attention, you can cultivate a stunning miniature tree that reflects your artistic vision. Gently remove the plant from its nursery container, carefully not to disturb the roots excessively. Root Pruning: Trim the roots to promote a compact root system. Remove any circling or overly long roots. This encourages the plant to develop a more shallow and dense root structure suitable for a bonsai. The soil in this area where the growing plant is dense and clay-like, making it difficult to remove with a rake as it is not loose. In the case of loose soil, removal would have been easier. However, since the roots are deeply embedded in the sticky clay soil, the most effective method to remove excess soil around the trunk is to use a hexa or a saw to cut through the soil. This way, the goal is to keep the roots near the trunk without causing any disturbance to them. To encourage fibrous root growth, it is necessary to remove some of the large, mature, and thick roots that have developed around the pot. It is essential to remove both the entangled roots and the old soil to facilitate the development of a healthier root system. And the plant shifted into a Bonsai pot with fresh Bonsai soil. Here we are seeing the plant after 15 days of repotting. Now the plant lost some of the leaves after repotting. it's normal for plants to temporarily stop growing after repotting, This is because repotting can be stressful for plants. The stress can cause roots to get damaged and fail to absorb enough water, which can lead to wilting leaves. This is known as transplant shock. Here are some tips for helping your plant recover after repotting: • Water thoroughly after repotting to help the soil settle around the plant's roots. • Place plants in a cooler, shadier spot during the recovery period. • Don't fertilize or overwater during this time as the roots need to recover. • Mist the leaves with water to help increase humidity around the plant. Plants will recover in 2–4 weeks. We have seen the step-by-step development of Jangli jalebi, as it progresses, I will share with you the development of the Bonsai. Thank you, friends, for watching. We will meet you in the next video. Till that time take care and have a great weekend.

Winter care for our Bonsai plants.

Winter care for our Bonsai plants.

Yes, we should be careful about not only indoor plants but outdoor Bonsais also. In Winter due to short daylight and cold temperatures plants can't prepare much food so they don’t need much water. We can reduce water and water the plant when the soil is dry.  

It is time for the attack of insects like aphids, white flies, red spiders, Millie bugs, and thrips on the Ficus plant ( we see folded Ficus leaves, the eggs will be inside the folded leaves).

 If any insect attack is there

1)     Wash the plant with a water jet

2)     Remove the affected leaves.

3)     Spray homemade insecticide.

 

Cutting and pruning can be done if the plant is profusely growing.  Old wires can be removed.

Fertilizing to be reduced.

Repotting can be postponed to next season.

Friends take care of the plants during the winter season.

It important is to keep our plants away from insect attacks by watching leaves on top and down portions from time to time.

 

Happy winter growing and enjoy the season with our beautiful Bonsais.