Check your benches and stands. Make sure they are still solid, with no rotting or loose connections. If the nails or screws have come loose, replace them. This is also a good time to apply water repellent; but, if you do, don’t put your trees on them until the repellent has thoroughly dried.
April is the time to start bringing out your trees for the summer, if you haven’t already done so. The controlling factor is when the trees start budding and the temperature is increasing. You have to watch for cool nights and the normal spring frosts. Some trees can take a mild frost and others can’t; so before you leave your trees out, make sure they can tolerate the frost – if one is predicted. You might have to move your trees in and out during this time.
If a tree was transplanted this spring, allow about 3 weeks before the tree is placed outside on its stand. Also allow the same time before fertilizer is started.
Start your fertilization program for the summer. Remember fertilizers can have a huge effect early in the season on most plants. If you fertilize maples or elms, they seem to have huge growth spurts. Junipers and pines will have a less noticeable effect. High nitrogen content will effect upper growth, while higher phosphorous affects the roots and general vitality of the plant. Potassium helps with fruiting and flowering. Depending on the type of growth you need, you will have to adjust the type of fertilizer you use. If you do use high nitrogen fertilizers, be prepared to pinch or trim your trees weekly.
Inspect your trees daily as you water for insect problems.
Go through your collection and trim, prune or pinch as needed. They probably will need a lot of leaf pinching during this month which will help ramification.
Watch for spring storms that can easily blow bonsai off their stands, especially the shohin.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
April Monthly Tips
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