| Page 1 of 2 | 1 | 2 |
|
|
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
What did you use to "cure" the mealy bug problem?
Jeff Isom Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39 ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Fukien tea does tend to drop leaves occasionally. I wouldn't worry about
it, unless two other possibilities occur: 1. It has not been transplated in the past two years. 2. It is kept indoors. Although it is tropical, it should be kept outdoors all summer. Marty ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Soukal" To: Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 12:55 PM Subject: [IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree Hello, I just wanted to ask somebody with experience in growing Fukien trees for an advice. We noticed sudden increase in the rate with which the tree loses its leaves. We were surprised by that because - to our best knowledge - nothing has changed in the way we care for the tree... We water the plant as required (never letting it to dry out completely nor leaving to stand in water) as we always did. We feed it regularly. We fought and killed (with help of this community) the mealy bugs that attacked it. But recently, the number of leaves on the floor has increased. If I blow a little bit of air from my mouth on the tree, there will be several leaves - seemingly healthy - that fall off. It seems as if the leaves were not hanging tight onto the branch... they will fall off easily on touch. (Not all of them though.) There were always leaves that would fall off but these seemed dead and dry. The new ones and young and green. I also think that all the leaves are little bit lighter that they used to be. Though they are still green not yellowish. But then again, the tree still has many dark, lush leaves. It still grows buds and has fruit as it always did. Overall, it seems to be doing fine. We didn't notice anything odd otherwise. No parasites, no physical damage. We haven't moved or repotted the tree. We did prune it a little bit. The only thing I can think of as a culprit is that the weather hasn't been that good lately. We had a lot of cloudy days with colder temperature (but still about 70). We were just being curious whether this is reaction to the weather change only or a symptom of something else/worse (under/overfeeding, too little/much watering...). Thank you for any comments! David & (Eva) ************************************************** ************************** **** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ************************** **** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
What did you use to "cure" the mealy bug problem?
Jeff Isom Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39 ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Hello,
we didn't use any chemicals bought it store. Somebody from this group has recommened us to use a solution consisting of distilled water, a spoon of cooking oil and soap withouth frangance. Finally before spraying, we were recommended to add a spoon of alcohol, which we did. We tried this "potion" on a few leaves first and since it didn't seem to do any harm, after a few day, we covered the soil and spray the whole foliage. We repeated that two times in week intervals. The tree seemed to prosper and we haven't seen any bugs since. Also, please, see me reply to the other answer above. We might have kept the plant overwatered for several hours by wrong choice of the soil :( Thanks for any advice. I love the tree, I hope that it will survive... David (Isom, Jeff , EM, PTL) wrote in message news:40F6934F9170964AAAD62F1E48579EB8C754EC@RDGML VEM01.e2k.ad.ge.com... What did you use to "cure" the mealy bug problem? Jeff Isom Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39 ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Hello,
we didn't use any chemicals bought it store. Somebody from this group has recommened us to use a solution consisting of distilled water, a spoon of cooking oil and soap withouth frangance. Finally before spraying, we were recommended to add a spoon of alcohol, which we did. We tried this "potion" on a few leaves first and since it didn't seem to do any harm, after a few day, we covered the soil and spray the whole foliage. We repeated that two times in week intervals. The tree seemed to prosper and we haven't seen any bugs since. Also, please, see me reply to the other answer above. We might have kept the plant overwatered for several hours by wrong choice of the soil :( Thanks for any advice. I love the tree, I hope that it will survive... David (Isom, Jeff , EM, PTL) wrote in message news:40F6934F9170964AAAD62F1E48579EB8C754EC@RDGML VEM01.e2k.ad.ge.com... What did you use to "cure" the mealy bug problem? Jeff Isom Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39 ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
David: To which book are you referring? Who is the author?
Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: David Soukal Hello, we haven't repotted the tree yet. But we do keep it indoors. This is our first bonsai and the book we bought said that it should be kept inside, since it is, supposedly, sensitive to draft. Also, we don't have garden, since we live in an appartment... ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
In a message dated 7/25/2004 1:28:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes: A fluorescent light right overhead for a LONG day is about right, according to the indoor growers on the list But, the light bulb needs to be new and at six inches or less from the plant. Billy on the Florida Space Coast BSF Annual Convention July 1 - 4, 2005 Radisson Hotel, Cape Canaveral, Florida Workshops with Jerry Meislik of Whitefish, Montana, Chase Rosade of New Hope, PA, and Ben Oki of California. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
David: To which book are you referring? Who is the author?
Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: David Soukal Hello, we haven't repotted the tree yet. But we do keep it indoors. This is our first bonsai and the book we bought said that it should be kept inside, since it is, supposedly, sensitive to draft. Also, we don't have garden, since we live in an appartment... ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
In a message dated 7/25/2004 1:28:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes: A fluorescent light right overhead for a LONG day is about right, according to the indoor growers on the list But, the light bulb needs to be new and at six inches or less from the plant. Billy on the Florida Space Coast BSF Annual Convention July 1 - 4, 2005 Radisson Hotel, Cape Canaveral, Florida Workshops with Jerry Meislik of Whitefish, Montana, Chase Rosade of New Hope, PA, and Ben Oki of California. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
David:
When I have my Fukien Tea indoors, I place them on a propagation mat which gives the roots a little heat... It is very important to have a fan blowing on your tree, which will keep the pest popuilation down. I have my fluorecents on for 18 hours. Also, try to prune the leaves, when you see them over lapping each other. That will keep the fungus from developing. I would certainly use a wooden skewer in the soil to know when to water. Email me, and I will send you the details on the Persiano Pick. Best of luck, Carl L. Rosner - near Atlantic City zone 6/7 http://rosner.becanz.net http://www.jamesbaird.com/cgi-bin/Ja...d=00000068 48 David Soukal wrote: Hello, we haven't repotted the tree yet. But we do keep it indoors. This is our first bonsai and the book we bought said that it should be kept inside, since it is, supposedly, sensitive to draft. Also, we don't have garden, since we live in an appartment... We could buy some extra light and / or open the windows more. Another thing I forgot to mention is that we removed about a half inch of the soil from the top and replaced it with another one. The reason why we did that was that the soil was full of rotting leaves and flowers... Only later, we found out that the soil we purchased doesn't probably have the right composition. It was about 70% of fired clay and only about 25% of pine soil. I noticed that this layer probably prevents the rest of the soil from breathing so it's possible the we kept that plant overwatered for a several hours.. Could that be the reason? For now, the plant seems to be doing OK. Its berries are even bigger and tend to ripe to light red color. The berries we used to see drier very fast... I noticed several black spots on a few bigger leaves. It can only be seen from under, so I hope it's not the spiders or other parasites :( Thanks for your help! David ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
David:
When I have my Fukien Tea indoors, I place them on a propagation mat which gives the roots a little heat... It is very important to have a fan blowing on your tree, which will keep the pest popuilation down. I have my fluorecents on for 18 hours. Also, try to prune the leaves, when you see them over lapping each other. That will keep the fungus from developing. I would certainly use a wooden skewer in the soil to know when to water. Email me, and I will send you the details on the Persiano Pick. Best of luck, Carl L. Rosner - near Atlantic City zone 6/7 http://rosner.becanz.net http://www.jamesbaird.com/cgi-bin/Ja...d=00000068 48 David Soukal wrote: Hello, we haven't repotted the tree yet. But we do keep it indoors. This is our first bonsai and the book we bought said that it should be kept inside, since it is, supposedly, sensitive to draft. Also, we don't have garden, since we live in an appartment... We could buy some extra light and / or open the windows more. Another thing I forgot to mention is that we removed about a half inch of the soil from the top and replaced it with another one. The reason why we did that was that the soil was full of rotting leaves and flowers... Only later, we found out that the soil we purchased doesn't probably have the right composition. It was about 70% of fired clay and only about 25% of pine soil. I noticed that this layer probably prevents the rest of the soil from breathing so it's possible the we kept that plant overwatered for a several hours.. Could that be the reason? For now, the plant seems to be doing OK. Its berries are even bigger and tend to ripe to light red color. The berries we used to see drier very fast... I noticed several black spots on a few bigger leaves. It can only be seen from under, so I hope it's not the spiders or other parasites :( Thanks for your help! David ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Hello,
we were consulting several sources on the internet. Also the book Simon & Schuster's Guide to Bonsain, recommends the tree for indoors. They don't explicitely mention the draft, only temperature changes. Do you think, we should keep the tree outside? David (Alan Walker) wrote in message news:000c01c47270$2894a3b0$6101a8c0@Alan... David: To which book are you referring? Who is the author? Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Hello,
we were consulting several sources on the internet. Also the book Simon & Schuster's Guide to Bonsain, recommends the tree for indoors. They don't explicitely mention the draft, only temperature changes. Do you think, we should keep the tree outside? David (Alan Walker) wrote in message news:000c01c47270$2894a3b0$6101a8c0@Alan... David: To which book are you referring? Who is the author? Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Thank you! We'll do that. Could you, please, recommend some of the
fixtures you use or know of? The best place we can shop here (except for the Internet, of course) is local Wal-Mart :) David (Billy M. Rhodes) wrote in message ... In a message dated 7/25/2004 1:28:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time, writes: A fluorescent light right overhead for a LONG day is about right, according to the indoor growers on the list But, the light bulb needs to be new and at six inches or less from the plant. Billy on the Florida Space Coast BSF Annual Convention July 1 - 4, 2005 Radisson Hotel, Cape Canaveral, Florida Workshops with Jerry Meislik of Whitefish, Montana, Chase Rosade of New Hope, PA, and Ben Oki of California. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
David: OK, I suspected the quote might be inexact. The problem
is that there is a big difference between recommending a tree or plant for indoor growing and a need to be grown indoors. When we think about it, as common sense will tell us, there is no such thing as a truly "indoor" plant. Growing plants indoors is man's invention. All plants have originated and grown outdoors. The problem is that we want to grow plants which are not indigenous to our area. That includes tropical plants, such as your Fukian Tea tree. Survival in unnatural climates, such as tropicals in temperate areas or any plant indoors, requires more than basic horticultural skills as a rule. Some people cannot grow things outdoors, because they have no access to any outdoor area at all or else the outdoor area they do have is not secure enough to grow. Those people will just have to commit to learn the advanced horticultural skills needed to make the best of their situation. Fortunately, that isn't all that hard to do. I'm not going to try to discuss all the horticultural variables involved in indoor growing. So, the bottom line is that your Fukian Tea will do better outdoors when it is sufficiently warm in your growing area. If you are in the northern hemisphere below the Arctic Circle, you can grow it outdoors now, and it will be better for your tree, because it will have better light, humidity and air circulation than you can provide indoors. Further, the idea that your Fukian Tea should not be exposed to drafts is exactly backwards. It needs good air circulation to reduce risk of fungus and other pest problems. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: David Soukal Hello, we were consulting several sources on the internet. Also the book Simon & Schuster's Guide to Bonsain, recommends the tree for indoors. They don't explicitely mention the draft, only temperature changes. Do you think, we should keep the tree outside? David (Alan Walker) wrote in message news:000c01c47270$2894a3b0$6101a8c0@Alan... David: To which book are you referring? Who is the author? Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Hello,
thank you for your help. We will try the extra lighting. Do you recommend some particular model or brand? So far, we are using my wife's magnifying glass which has light bulb on it and can be bend to almost any position :) Regarding the soil. We bought it in nearby garden shop as bonsai soil. The truth is it does not look like the rest of the soil in the pot. It does resemble (on touch, look) the layer that was there before, that is the clay pieces... As I wrote elsewhere in this thread, we draw our information on the book "Simon & Schuster's Guide to Bonsai". Their ideal mixture for *repotting* is 60% humus-rich soil, 10% peat and 30% of coarse sand. Since we removed about an inch of the top layer, we thought we'd replace it by the mixture above but its composition is quite different. I'm getting a bit confused here... Unfortunatelly, there's no bonsai club or dedicated garden shop where we could bring the tree and discuss it. Anyway, we'll do our best to keep the beautiful tree alive and prospering! Thank you for your help David (& Eva) ps. Our university has shut our news server down, so I'm using http://groups.google.com. It's tedious since my new messages and your replies are not listed together. Could you, please, recommend me some free usenet server? THANK YOU! (Jim Lewis) wrote in message news:004e01c47268$0dd5d7e0$bb102cc7@pavilion... Hello, we haven't repotted the tree yet. But we do keep it indoors. This is our first bonsai and the book we bought said that it should be kept inside, since it is, supposedly, sensitive to draft. Also, we don't have garden, since we live in an appartment... We could buy some extra light and / or open the windows more. At least give it as MUCH light as you can. A fluorescent light right overhead for a LONG day is about right, according to the indoor growers on the list. Beyond that, I don't know diddly about growing inside the house. Another thing I forgot to mention is that we removed about a half inch of the soil from the top and replaced it with another one. The reason why we did that was that the soil was full of rotting leaves and flowers... Only later, we found out that the soil we purchased doesn't probably have the right composition. It was about 70% of fired clay and only about 25% of pine soil. That sounds almost EXACTLY the right mix for bonsai. What kind of soil was underneath? Bonsai soil wants to be large particles and relatively small amount of organic material. This is a good time to repot most tropicals (but let a fukien tea expert advise you on whether it is right for one of these, please. I'm NOT the one whose advice you want to take for trpicals.). I noticed that this layer probably prevents the rest of the soil from breathing so it's possible the we kept that plant overwatered for a several hours.. Could that be the reason? Nah. It would take more than "several hours" of wet feet to cause a problem. Some trees just complain when fiddled with. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Bonsaiests are like genealogists: We know our roots! ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Thank you! We'll do that. Could you, please, recommend some of the
fixtures you use or know of? The best place we can shop here (except for the Internet, of course) is local Wal-Mart :) David (Billy M. Rhodes) wrote in message ... In a message dated 7/25/2004 1:28:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time, writes: A fluorescent light right overhead for a LONG day is about right, according to the indoor growers on the list But, the light bulb needs to be new and at six inches or less from the plant. Billy on the Florida Space Coast BSF Annual Convention July 1 - 4, 2005 Radisson Hotel, Cape Canaveral, Florida Workshops with Jerry Meislik of Whitefish, Montana, Chase Rosade of New Hope, PA, and Ben Oki of California. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
ps. I have another question, if I may. I'd like to buy a bonsai for my
wife as a birthday present. As I mentioned, there's no bonsai nursery in the neighborhood (New York upstate). Do you have any experience with on-line shopping? I was told, in the garden shopmy wife bought the Fukien tree, that on-line shopping won't hurt the plant. But you don't have much control over the plant selection of course. I would appreciete any suggestion as to what shops are good and what aren't. For example, I've read somewhere that BonsaiBoys.com isn't the right place. But what is? Thank you! (Jim Lewis) wrote in message news:004e01c47268$0dd5d7e0$bb102cc7@pavilion... Hello, we haven't repotted the tree yet. But we do keep it indoors. This is our first bonsai and the book we bought said that it should be kept inside, since it is, supposedly, sensitive to draft. Also, we don't have garden, since we live in an appartment... We could buy some extra light and / or open the windows more. At least give it as MUCH light as you can. A fluorescent light right overhead for a LONG day is about right, according to the indoor growers on the list. Beyond that, I don't know diddly about growing inside the house. Another thing I forgot to mention is that we removed about a half inch of the soil from the top and replaced it with another one. The reason why we did that was that the soil was full of rotting leaves and flowers... Only later, we found out that the soil we purchased doesn't probably have the right composition. It was about 70% of fired clay and only about 25% of pine soil. That sounds almost EXACTLY the right mix for bonsai. What kind of soil was underneath? Bonsai soil wants to be large particles and relatively small amount of organic material. This is a good time to repot most tropicals (but let a fukien tea expert advise you on whether it is right for one of these, please. I'm NOT the one whose advice you want to take for trpicals.). I noticed that this layer probably prevents the rest of the soil from breathing so it's possible the we kept that plant overwatered for a several hours.. Could that be the reason? Nah. It would take more than "several hours" of wet feet to cause a problem. Some trees just complain when fiddled with. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Bonsaiests are like genealogists: We know our roots! ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
In a message dated 7/25/2004 8:56:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes: Thank you! We'll do that. Could you, please, recommend some of the fixtures you use or know of? The best place we can shop here (except for the Internet, of course) is local Walmart :) Buy a common four foot shop light, the one I have came with two chains to allow it to be hung. I made a simple stand with crossed 1 x 2's at each end connected by another 1 x 2. The chains were hung from where the 1 x 2's crossed. I guess you could use PVC instead. At one time I read to use one cool white bulb and one warm white bulb, but I would just buy two good bulbs and replace them every six weeks or so. Although the bulbs continue to look OK to use they quickly lose some of the light spectrum. Billy on the Florida Space Coast BSF Annual Convention July 1 - 4, 2005 Radisson Hotel, Cape Canaveral, Florida Workshops with Jerry Meislik of Whitefish, Montana, Chase Rosade of New Hope, PA, and Ben Oki of California. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
In a message dated 7/25/2004 8:56:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes: So far, we are using my wife's magnifying glass which has light bulb on it and can be bend to almost any position :) This probably generates too much heat if placed close enough to be effective. I don't remember the exact formula but light intensity falls off by the square of the distance? A light at 2 inches might have an intensity of x, but at 4 inches it isn't 1/2x but 1/4x and so on. Billy on the Florida Space Coast BSF Annual Convention July 1 - 4, 2005 Radisson Hotel, Cape Canaveral, Florida Workshops with Jerry Meislik of Whitefish, Montana, Chase Rosade of New Hope, PA, and Ben Oki of California. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
David Soukal wrote:
Thank you! We'll do that. Could you, please, recommend some of the fixtures you use or know of? The best place we can shop here (except for the Internet, of course) is local Wal-Mart :) Ordinary 4 foot shoplights work fine. Use cool white tubes, and hang the fixture just a few (6 - 8) inches above the foliage. Leave it on for 16 - 18 hours per day. A timer makes this easier. Avoid incandescent (light bulb) fixtures - they are too hot. As Alan has already said, your tree will be better off outside as long as it is warm enough. I don't grow Fukien Tea, but I bring my tropicals indoors if the night time temperature is expected to drop below 50° F. Jay Zone 6, Michigan ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
If you live in upstate NY, then I recommend that you try to visit
Bill Valavanis' International Bonsai Arboretum in Rochester suburb, West Henrietta. You can get directions and other information at his web site: http://www.internationalbonsai.com/index.html Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: David Soukal ps. I have another question, if I may. I'd like to buy a bonsai for my wife as a birthday present. As I mentioned, there's no bonsai nursery in the neighborhood (New York upstate). Do you have any experience with on-line shopping? I was told, in the garden shopmy wife bought the Fukien tree, that on-line shopping won't hurt the plant. But you don't have much control over the plant selection of course. I would appreciete any suggestion as to what shops are good and what aren't. For example, I've read somewhere that BonsaiBoys.com isn't the right place. But what is? Thank you! ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
David: OK, I suspected the quote might be inexact. The problem
is that there is a big difference between recommending a tree or plant for indoor growing and a need to be grown indoors. When we think about it, as common sense will tell us, there is no such thing as a truly "indoor" plant. Growing plants indoors is man's invention. All plants have originated and grown outdoors. The problem is that we want to grow plants which are not indigenous to our area. That includes tropical plants, such as your Fukian Tea tree. Survival in unnatural climates, such as tropicals in temperate areas or any plant indoors, requires more than basic horticultural skills as a rule. Some people cannot grow things outdoors, because they have no access to any outdoor area at all or else the outdoor area they do have is not secure enough to grow. Those people will just have to commit to learn the advanced horticultural skills needed to make the best of their situation. Fortunately, that isn't all that hard to do. I'm not going to try to discuss all the horticultural variables involved in indoor growing. So, the bottom line is that your Fukian Tea will do better outdoors when it is sufficiently warm in your growing area. If you are in the northern hemisphere below the Arctic Circle, you can grow it outdoors now, and it will be better for your tree, because it will have better light, humidity and air circulation than you can provide indoors. Further, the idea that your Fukian Tea should not be exposed to drafts is exactly backwards. It needs good air circulation to reduce risk of fungus and other pest problems. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: David Soukal Hello, we were consulting several sources on the internet. Also the book Simon & Schuster's Guide to Bonsain, recommends the tree for indoors. They don't explicitely mention the draft, only temperature changes. Do you think, we should keep the tree outside? David (Alan Walker) wrote in message news:000c01c47270$2894a3b0$6101a8c0@Alan... David: To which book are you referring? Who is the author? Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
In a message dated 7/25/2004 8:56:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes: Thank you! We'll do that. Could you, please, recommend some of the fixtures you use or know of? The best place we can shop here (except for the Internet, of course) is local Walmart :) Buy a common four foot shop light, the one I have came with two chains to allow it to be hung. I made a simple stand with crossed 1 x 2's at each end connected by another 1 x 2. The chains were hung from where the 1 x 2's crossed. I guess you could use PVC instead. At one time I read to use one cool white bulb and one warm white bulb, but I would just buy two good bulbs and replace them every six weeks or so. Although the bulbs continue to look OK to use they quickly lose some of the light spectrum. Billy on the Florida Space Coast BSF Annual Convention July 1 - 4, 2005 Radisson Hotel, Cape Canaveral, Florida Workshops with Jerry Meislik of Whitefish, Montana, Chase Rosade of New Hope, PA, and Ben Oki of California. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
In a message dated 7/25/2004 8:56:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes: So far, we are using my wife's magnifying glass which has light bulb on it and can be bend to almost any position :) This probably generates too much heat if placed close enough to be effective. I don't remember the exact formula but light intensity falls off by the square of the distance? A light at 2 inches might have an intensity of x, but at 4 inches it isn't 1/2x but 1/4x and so on. Billy on the Florida Space Coast BSF Annual Convention July 1 - 4, 2005 Radisson Hotel, Cape Canaveral, Florida Workshops with Jerry Meislik of Whitefish, Montana, Chase Rosade of New Hope, PA, and Ben Oki of California. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
In a message dated 7/25/2004 9:26:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes: I have another question, if I may. I'd like to buy a bonsai for my wife as a birthday present. Our suggestion, buy her a book on Bonsai instead, you can usually find a fair selection of books at Barne's and Noble, etc. Our buy a pot and maybe soil online, and then buy a plant at the local nursery or Wal Mart. I have nice dwarf Bougainvillea called Pink Pixie that I bought for $8 at Lowes. Then put the three together using the book. Billy on the Florida Space Coast BSF Annual Convention July 1 - 4, 2005 Radisson Hotel, Cape Canaveral, Florida Workshops with Jerry Meislik of Whitefish, Montana, Chase Rosade of New Hope, PA, and Ben Oki of California. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Regarding the soil. We bought it in nearby garden shop as
bonsai soil. The truth is it does not look like the rest of the soil in the pot. It does resemble (on touch, look) the layer that was there before, that is the clay pieces... As I wrote elsewhere in this thread, we draw our information on the book "Simon & Schuster's Guide to Bonsai". Their ideal mixture for *repotting* is 60% humus-rich soil, 10% peat and 30% of coarse sand. Since we removed about an inch of the top layer, we thought we'd replace it by the mixture above but its composition is quite different. I'm getting a bit confused here... Oh, aaargh! ONE of the problem with bonsai books is that they're written everywhere and translated into everything, and that does lead to confusion. S&SGtB was written in Italy and later translated into English -- possibly by someone who has never grown (or maybe even seen) a bonsai. Heaven only knows what the original text said, but the translator gave you 70% humus -- which isn't a very good idea, since humus is rotting leaves, worm casing, etc. -- ORGANIC -- stuff, which rots and gets mushier and mushier. The peat also is organic and comes in MANY forms (most of them not suited for bonsai soil in any great amount) and "coarse" sand varies according to one's definition of "coarse" (of course). I have the book, but haven't paid attention to the soil bit since I got it well after I'd killed my share of trees for this or that stupid reason. So. Your tree should be planted in the soil you bought as "bonsai soil," assuming it is at least 50 percent baked clay and 30 percent pine bark and 20 percent coarse sand (or, 70-30 clay-sand or clay-bark) with NO mushy humus. I don't remember where you live, but there are bonsai clubs in surprising locations. Goto www.absbonsai.org or to www.bonsai-bci.com and find their pages that list clubs in N. America. There's probably one near you. Failing that, send Carl Rosner an e-mail (he answered one of your earlier questions and have him walk you though the art of transplanting a Fukien tea into good bonsai soil. Or, seeing as how that garden shop handles something called bonsai soil maybe that's an indication somewhere there knows something about bonsai????????????? Go also to www.internebonsaiclub.org, click on the "knowledge base" and read some of the articles there -- especially the one about soils. As far as news readers go, I don't do newsgroups too often (I read these messages via the linked e-mail list) but do a google search for free and newsgroups and see what pops up. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Only where people have learned to appreciate and cherish the landscape and its living cover will they treat it with the care and respect it should have - Paul Bigelow Sears. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
David Soukal wrote:
Thank you! We'll do that. Could you, please, recommend some of the fixtures you use or know of? The best place we can shop here (except for the Internet, of course) is local Wal-Mart :) Ordinary 4 foot shoplights work fine. Use cool white tubes, and hang the fixture just a few (6 - 8) inches above the foliage. Leave it on for 16 - 18 hours per day. A timer makes this easier. Avoid incandescent (light bulb) fixtures - they are too hot. As Alan has already said, your tree will be better off outside as long as it is warm enough. I don't grow Fukien Tea, but I bring my tropicals indoors if the night time temperature is expected to drop below 50° F. Jay Zone 6, Michigan ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
If you live in upstate NY, then I recommend that you try to visit
Bill Valavanis' International Bonsai Arboretum in Rochester suburb, West Henrietta. You can get directions and other information at his web site: http://www.internationalbonsai.com/index.html Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: David Soukal ps. I have another question, if I may. I'd like to buy a bonsai for my wife as a birthday present. As I mentioned, there's no bonsai nursery in the neighborhood (New York upstate). Do you have any experience with on-line shopping? I was told, in the garden shopmy wife bought the Fukien tree, that on-line shopping won't hurt the plant. But you don't have much control over the plant selection of course. I would appreciete any suggestion as to what shops are good and what aren't. For example, I've read somewhere that BonsaiBoys.com isn't the right place. But what is? Thank you! ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Regarding the soil. We bought it in nearby garden shop as
bonsai soil. The truth is it does not look like the rest of the soil in the pot. It does resemble (on touch, look) the layer that was there before, that is the clay pieces... As I wrote elsewhere in this thread, we draw our information on the book "Simon & Schuster's Guide to Bonsai". Their ideal mixture for *repotting* is 60% humus-rich soil, 10% peat and 30% of coarse sand. Since we removed about an inch of the top layer, we thought we'd replace it by the mixture above but its composition is quite different. I'm getting a bit confused here... Oh, aaargh! ONE of the problem with bonsai books is that they're written everywhere and translated into everything, and that does lead to confusion. S&SGtB was written in Italy and later translated into English -- possibly by someone who has never grown (or maybe even seen) a bonsai. Heaven only knows what the original text said, but the translator gave you 70% humus -- which isn't a very good idea, since humus is rotting leaves, worm casing, etc. -- ORGANIC -- stuff, which rots and gets mushier and mushier. The peat also is organic and comes in MANY forms (most of them not suited for bonsai soil in any great amount) and "coarse" sand varies according to one's definition of "coarse" (of course). I have the book, but haven't paid attention to the soil bit since I got it well after I'd killed my share of trees for this or that stupid reason. So. Your tree should be planted in the soil you bought as "bonsai soil," assuming it is at least 50 percent baked clay and 30 percent pine bark and 20 percent coarse sand (or, 70-30 clay-sand or clay-bark) with NO mushy humus. I don't remember where you live, but there are bonsai clubs in surprising locations. Goto www.absbonsai.org or to www.bonsai-bci.com and find their pages that list clubs in N. America. There's probably one near you. Failing that, send Carl Rosner an e-mail (he answered one of your earlier questions and have him walk you though the art of transplanting a Fukien tea into good bonsai soil. Or, seeing as how that garden shop handles something called bonsai soil maybe that's an indication somewhere there knows something about bonsai????????????? Go also to www.internebonsaiclub.org, click on the "knowledge base" and read some of the articles there -- especially the one about soils. As far as news readers go, I don't do newsgroups too often (I read these messages via the linked e-mail list) but do a google search for free and newsgroups and see what pops up. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Only where people have learned to appreciate and cherish the landscape and its living cover will they treat it with the care and respect it should have - Paul Bigelow Sears. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Jim: No need to insult the author out of ignorance. The Simon &
Schuster's Guide to Bonsai (as well as the identical The MacDonald Encyclopedia of Bonsai) was authored by the eminent Italian bonsai artist, Gianfranco Georgi. Gianfranco was a major player in bonsai a couple of decades ago. He also served a few terms on the Board of Directors of BCI. I last saw him at the BCI convention in Orlando in 1993. I have no idea where he is currently or how he is doing, but please do not assume the author is ignorant of bonsai. As you well know, it is not always the author's fault when a book is published with bad photos, etc. Sometimes they have control, but often they do not. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: Jim Lewis Regarding the soil. We bought it in nearby garden shop as bonsai soil. The truth is it does not look like the rest of the soil in the pot. It does resemble (on touch, look) the layer that was there before, that is the clay pieces... As I wrote elsewhere in this thread, we draw our information on the book "Simon & Schuster's Guide to Bonsai". Their ideal mixture for *repotting* is 60% humus-rich soil, 10% peat and 30% of coarse sand. Since we removed about an inch of the top layer, we thought we'd replace it by the mixture above but its composition is quite different. I'm getting a bit confused here... Oh, aaargh! ONE of the problem with bonsai books is that they're written everywhere and translated into everything, and that does lead to confusion. S&SGtB was written in Italy and later translated into English -- possibly by someone who has never grown (or maybe even seen) a bonsai. Heaven only knows what the original text said, but the translator gave you 70% humus -- which isn't a very good idea, since humus is rotting leaves, worm casing, etc. -- ORGANIC -- stuff, which rots and gets mushier and mushier. The peat also is organic and comes in MANY forms (most of them not suited for bonsai soil in any great amount) and "coarse" sand varies according to one's definition of "coarse" (of course). I have the book, but haven't paid attention to the soil bit since I got it well after I'd killed my share of trees for this or that stupid reason. So. Your tree should be planted in the soil you bought as "bonsai soil," assuming it is at least 50 percent baked clay and 30 percent pine bark and 20 percent coarse sand (or, 70-30 clay-sand or clay-bark) with NO mushy humus. I don't remember where you live, but there are bonsai clubs in surprising locations. Goto www.absbonsai.org or to www.bonsai-bci.com and find their pages that list clubs in N. America. There's probably one near you. Failing that, send Carl Rosner an e-mail (he answered one of your earlier questions and have him walk you though the art of transplanting a Fukien tea into good bonsai soil. Or, seeing as how that garden shop handles something called bonsai soil maybe that's an indication somewhere there knows something about bonsai????????????? Go also to www.internebonsaiclub.org, click on the "knowledge base" and read some of the articles there -- especially the one about soils. As far as news readers go, I don't do newsgroups too often (I read these messages via the linked e-mail list) but do a google search for free and newsgroups and see what pops up. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Only where people have learned to appreciate and cherish the landscape and its living cover will they treat it with the care and respect it should have - Paul Bigelow Sears. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Fukien Tea's LOVE being outside - just not in direct sunlight. Mine are currently located where they have slightly filtered morning to just after noon sun and are absolutely thriving after barely making it through the extra long winter. Inside, they are especially prone to scale - see if the "black spots" will scrape off with your finger nail. I have twice now experienced a significant loss of leaves a couple of weeks after using the soap - oil - alcohol solution, so that MAY be it. I'm pretty sure Craig uses the solution on nearly everything and hasn't noticed any detrimental effects - so it may be just me. The addition of light(s) will help - but if at all possible, try to get it outside during the summer.
************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
I'll second the suggestion of purchasing a really good bonsai book OR pot, soil & plant (at a nursery or garden center). It is much more satisfying to take a nursery tree and turn it into a "bonsai" on your own. Especially, since you can probably do just as good a job as anything you are likely to get for a reasonable price on e-Bay. If you REALLY want one already done, I'll second the recommendation to visit Mr. Valvanis' location in Rochester. You'll pay a little more, but you'll get good material. If you have no place to put plants outside, you are pretty limited in what will do well. Being a novice myself, I would recommend: Serrisa (although lots of folks would disagree with that one!) or some variety of Ficus (I personally like Green Island, but an authority on bonsai that lives in this same area swears by Nerifolia for indoors in the NE). I think Billy has sufficiently explained the requirements for light, air movement and humidity.
Jeff Isom Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39 ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
I'll second the suggestion of purchasing a really good bonsai book OR pot, soil & plant (at a nursery or garden center). It is much more satisfying to take a nursery tree and turn it into a "bonsai" on your own. Especially, since you can probably do just as good a job as anything you are likely to get for a reasonable price on e-Bay. If you REALLY want one already done, I'll second the recommendation to visit Mr. Valvanis' location in Rochester. You'll pay a little more, but you'll get good material. If you have no place to put plants outside, you are pretty limited in what will do well. Being a novice myself, I would recommend: Serrisa (although lots of folks would disagree with that one!) or some variety of Ficus (I personally like Green Island, but an authority on bonsai that lives in this same area swears by Nerifolia for indoors in the NE). I think Billy has sufficiently explained the requirements for light, air movement and humidity.
Jeff Isom Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39 ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Fukien Tea's LOVE being outside - just not in direct sunlight. Mine are currently located where they have slightly filtered morning to just after noon sun and are absolutely thriving after barely making it through the extra long winter. Inside, they are
especially prone to scale - see if the "black spots" will scrape off with your finger nail. I have twice now experienced a significant loss of leaves a couple of weeks after using the soap - oil - alcohol solution, so that MAY be it. I'm pretty sure Cr aig uses the solution on nearly everything and hasn't noticed any detrimental effects - so it may be just me. The addition of light(s) will help - but if at all possible, try to get it outside during the summer. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Thank you! Since you all recommend taking the plant outside, I'll do
it :) The thing is that we live in a small appartment building so the only spot I can put the tree on is the outside stairs that lead to our appartment (we live in the second floor of an older wooden house). I thought the plant must have liked being outside since it's very dark inside. (Our Discover PhD Plat Doctor ;] displays an error reading which is a symptom of too little light.) It must be true especially now when we haven't seen sun but for a few hours a day for almost two weeks. Thanks to the help of all of you guys, the plant seems to be doing very well now. We take extra care of making sure it is not overwatered and we use the extra light for most of the day. Thanks again, David (& Eva) (Isom, Jeff , EM, PTL) wrote in message news:40F6934F9170964AAAD62F1E48579EB8B1F370@RDGML VEM01.e2k.ad.ge.com... Fukien Tea's LOVE being outside - just not in direct sunlight. Mine are currently located where they have slightly filtered morning to just after noon sun and are absolutely thriving after barely making it through the extra long winter. Inside, they are especially prone to scale - see if the "black spots" will scrape off with your finger nail. I have twice now experienced a significant loss of leaves a couple of weeks after using the soap - oil - alcohol solution, so that MAY be it. I'm pretty sure Craig uses the solution on nearly everything and hasn't noticed any detrimental effects - so it may be just me. The addition of light(s) will help - but if at all possible, try to get it outside during the summer. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Thank you! Since you all recommend taking the plant outside, I'll do
it :) The thing is that we live in a small appartment building so the only spot I can put the tree on is the outside stairs that lead to our appartment (we live in the second floor of an older wooden house). I thought the plant must have liked being outside since it's very dark inside. (Our Discover PhD Plat Doctor ;] displays an error reading which is a symptom of too little light.) It must be true especially now when we haven't seen sun but for a few hours a day for almost two weeks. Thanks to the help of all of you guys, the plant seems to be doing very well now. We take extra care of making sure it is not overwatered and we use the extra light for most of the day. Thanks again, David (& Eva) (Isom, Jeff , EM, PTL) wrote in message news:40F6934F9170964AAAD62F1E48579EB8B1F370@RDGML VEM01.e2k.ad.ge.com... Fukien Tea's LOVE being outside - just not in direct sunlight. Mine are currently located where they have slightly filtered morning to just after noon sun and are absolutely thriving after barely making it through the extra long winter. Inside, they are especially prone to scale - see if the "black spots" will scrape off with your finger nail. I have twice now experienced a significant loss of leaves a couple of weeks after using the soap - oil - alcohol solution, so that MAY be it. I'm pretty sure Craig uses the solution on nearly everything and hasn't noticed any detrimental effects - so it may be just me. The addition of light(s) will help - but if at all possible, try to get it outside during the summer. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Thanks for the tip. We did find this place on the Internet but,
unfortunatelly, they are out of bonsai now. We could only order a plant for the next year. It would be nice trip though! I'll definitelly go there. Thanks! David (Alan Walker) wrote in message news:000201c472b3$c09ddc60$6101a8c0@Alan... If you live in upstate NY, then I recommend that you try to visit Bill Valavanis' International Bonsai Arboretum in Rochester suburb, West Henrietta. You can get directions and other information at his web site: http://www.internationalbonsai.com/index.html Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: David Soukal ps. I have another question, if I may. I'd like to buy a bonsai for my wife as a birthday present. As I mentioned, there's no bonsai nursery in the neighborhood (New York upstate). Do you have any experience with on-line shopping? I was told, in the garden shopmy wife bought the Fukien tree, that on-line shopping won't hurt the plant. But you don't have much control over the plant selection of course. I would appreciete any suggestion as to what shops are good and what aren't. For example, I've read somewhere that BonsaiBoys.com isn't the right place. But what is? Thank you! ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] sudden increase of leaf loss of our fukien tree
Hello Jim,
thanks for the tip. As I wrote elsewhere in this thread the whole soil business is unfortunate. I'm very glad that you told me the mixture is not good. I'm so relieved. I would have bought it and repotted the tree into it! Next time, I'll be extra careful. I already ordered a bunch of books on bonsai that were recommened on the International Bonsai Club website, so I hope nothing like that will happen again. Thank you also for helping me find the Bonsai clubs. I'll carefully look around. The people from the garden shop my wife bought the Fukien in told me that they get their plants on-line. We have some "expert" on bonsai who takes care of them. I'll talk to him today. Thank you again! David (Jim Lewis) wrote in message news:001701c472b7$b16b5700$3b112cc7@pavilion... Regarding the soil. We bought it in nearby garden shop as bonsai soil. The truth is it does not look like the rest of the soil in the pot. It does resemble (on touch, look) the layer that was there before, that is the clay pieces... As I wrote elsewhere in this thread, we draw our information on the book "Simon & Schuster's Guide to Bonsai". Their ideal mixture for *repotting* is 60% humus-rich soil, 10% peat and 30% of coarse sand. Since we removed about an inch of the top layer, we thought we'd replace it by the mixture above but its composition is quite different. I'm getting a bit confused here... Oh, aaargh! ONE of the problem with bonsai books is that they're written everywhere and translated into everything, and that does lead to confusion. S&SGtB was written in Italy and later translated into English -- possibly by someone who has never grown (or maybe even seen) a bonsai. Heaven only knows what the original text said, but the translator gave you 70% humus -- which isn't a very good idea, since humus is rotting leaves, worm casing, etc. -- ORGANIC -- stuff, which rots and gets mushier and mushier. The peat also is organic and comes in MANY forms (most of them not suited for bonsai soil in any great amount) and "coarse" sand varies according to one's definition of "coarse" (of course). I have the book, but haven't paid attention to the soil bit since I got it well after I'd killed my share of trees for this or that stupid reason. So. Your tree should be planted in the soil you bought as "bonsai soil," assuming it is at least 50 percent baked clay and 30 percent pine bark and 20 percent coarse sand (or, 70-30 clay-sand or clay-bark) with NO mushy humus. I don't remember where you live, but there are bonsai clubs in surprising locations. Goto www.absbonsai.org or to www.bonsai-bci.com and find their pages that list clubs in N. America. There's probably one near you. Failing that, send Carl Rosner an e-mail (he answered one of your earlier questions and have him walk you though the art of transplanting a Fukien tea into good bonsai soil. Or, seeing as how that garden shop handles something called bonsai soil maybe that's an indication somewhere there knows something about bonsai????????????? Go also to www.internebonsaiclub.org, click on the "knowledge base" and read some of the articles there -- especially the one about soils. As far as news readers go, I don't do newsgroups too often (I read these messages via the linked e-mail list) but do a google search for free and newsgroups and see what pops up. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Only where people have learned to appreciate and cherish the landscape and its living cover will they treat it with the care and respect it should have - Paul Bigelow Sears. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:58 PM. |
|
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
GardenBanter