Thanks for the lecture Kitsune. I've never thought about it, but you're
absolutely correct. Little steps rather than giant leaps. As usual, I've
learned another lesson the hard way.

I'll keep my little tree in a nice warm spot, feed it sparingly and hope for
the best.

Mark


-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf Of
Kitsune Miko
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 11:27 AM
To:
Subject: [IBC] Fwd: [IBC] Have I killed a new Cotoneaster ??

Kitsune Miko wrote: Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 08:26:18 -0700
(PDT)
From: Kitsune Miko
Subject: [IBC] Have I killed a new Cotoneaster ??
To: Mark Hill

Mark,

This is not directed only at you, but it does surprise me that people bring
plants home and do a lot of stuff to them right away. If you got a pet
would you demand that it did tricks the day you got it? If you brought a
baby home from the hosipital, would you see how many different things you
could feed it? Expect it to read Shakspear, play badmiton, fly a plane?

I bring plants home and have a get aquainted period. I see if they continue
to thrive where I put them. I prune a bit to see what grow-back pattern is
in the plant. THEN I invite it out to play.

OR I already know how a specific type of plant behaves in my setting. So
with elms, maples, azaleas, junipers, and pines, I alreay know what to do.
I could bring one of those home an work on it right away.

A cotoneaster microfilla is not idiot proof. It likes to be repotted in
fall before there is frost. (October/November in Northern California). It
doesn't like heavy root pruning. I prune foliage to encourage growth rather
than to reduce size. I have a neat one and I have a dead one. If I can
find my brains, I will try to post a photo in the gallery of the unfinished
(living one).

Kitsune Miko
Mark Hill wrote:
Hi all

Two weeks ago I purchase a cute little shohin sized Cotoneaster from a local
nursery.
It looked rather happy, with tiny green leaves in typical potting soil.

I stared at it for a few days until I decided to trim/repot it.
I trimmed about 25% of the leaves and roots and stuck it into good bonsai
soil into which I mixed about 25% of it's original potting soil.

Two days after repotting the leaves started to dry out and turn crunchy.
A week later I'm staring at a bare little tree.
I've kept it moist the entire time with a slight amount of indirect sunshine
every day.

Have I killed it ... or is this a characteristic of this tree ?

I've read that cotoneasters are "idiot proof".
Guess I'm a better idiot than I thought !!

Mark Hill - Zone 7 - Harrisburg PA

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To a woman who complained about her destiny the Master said, "It is you
who make your destiny."

"But surely I am not responsible for being born a woman?"

"Being born a woman isn't destiny. That is fate. Destiny is how you
accept your womanhood and what you make of it."

Anthony de Mello, SJ


MORSEL: Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents
determinism; the way you play it is free will. --Jawaharial Nehru
(1889-1964)



To a woman who complained about her destiny the Master said, "It is you
who make your destiny."

"But surely I am not responsible for being born a woman?"

"Being born a woman isn't destiny. That is fate. Destiny is how you
accept your womanhood and what you make of it."

Anthony de Mello, SJ


MORSEL: Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents
determinism; the way you play it is free will. --Jawaharial Nehru
(1889-1964)

************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++
************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++