Demonstration – Page 9

On June 27, 2017, Redwood Empire Bonsai Society (REBS) held its monthly meeting at the Luther Burbank Art & Garden Center, Santa Rosa, California, with guest bonsai artist, instructor and author Jonas Dupuich, who led a demonstration and discussion on the decandling of pines.

Decandling was defined as the technique for the removal of spring growth (candles) from pines in order to stimulate a second push of growth in the summer months.

The time period for decandling pines is in the middle of the growing season and dependent upon the weather and environmental conditions. For example, in the State of Washington decandling will take place in early spring (May, June), and in the State of Texas it would take place later in mid-summer (late June, July). In the San Francisco/Bay Area, decandling usually is done in early June and July. Timing relates to the amount of growing season remaining after decandling to help the second push of new growth.

Jonas discussed the purpose of decandling pines as follows:

1. Stimulate back budding
2. Improve branch density
3. Shorten internodes
4. Regulate vigor
5. Promote balance
6. Reduce needle length

Continue reading Decandling Pines Demonstration

On May 23, 2017, Redwood Empire Bonsai Society (REBS) held its monthly meeting at the Luther Burbank Art & Garden Center, Santa Rosa, California, featuring members John Roehl, Ned Lycett and Ivan Lukrich on the subject of Olive (Olea europea) bonsai.

Specific Bonsai care guidelines for the Olive

Position: Place the Olive bonsai outside and at a sunny spot, this also helps to reduce the size of the leaves. Must be protected during the winter if temperatures get too low.

Watering: No specifics.

Feeding: Feed abundant, with a normal fertilizer monthly from spring to mid-autumn.

Pruning: Strong pruning is recommended in late winter. The olive will respond with vigorous growth in the following spring. For maintenance pruning, cut back to 2-3 pairs of leaves, and in very vigorous (and healthy) specimens you can use defoliation.

Repotting: Repot in spring before the buds begin to swell, every three or four years. Preferably use a bonsai mix with good drainage.

Propagation: From seeds and cuttings.

^{Source: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/tree-species/olive.}

Ned working on removing large roots from the bottom of the root ball.

The olive is commonly found in Mediterranean countries, where it is a tree with strong symbolic importance. You can use cultivated varieties for bonsai (like the common olive) but it is often to use the wild olive (Olea europea silvestrys).

The wild olive is of greater interest for Bonsai as these develop tiny leaves. In many cases these possess much appreciated features like the presence of jin, shari and bark that indicate a high age and survival in hostile conditions. The Olive as bonsai is easy to care for and very strong so it is a suitable choice.

A medium sized Mediterranean tree which has been cultivated by men for thousands of years. Its trunks thicken very slowly, but the trees can become very old. The leaves are lanceolate Continue reading Demonstration on Olive Bonsai