natural remedies

Here is a website that has a list of plant and tree problems (insect and disease) with the natural remedies. instructions on how to make them are also included. It's a great page.
http://www.ghorganics.com/

Fertilization information.

I found this on gardenweb a while back. I thought it was pretty useful information. There seems to be a lot of confusion on fertilizing trees.


> Probably the most important rule about fertilizing is to never feed a tree that is under stress. The causes of stress are many, ranging from over watering or under watering to newly pruned roots or disease. > Once again, it is so very important to know what type of tree your bonsai is.
Different types have specific needs as to the type and frequency of fertilization.
> Many enthusiasts who have some experience think the safest method, with no fuss, is 4 month type of 14-14-14 time release fertilizer, such as Osmocote. This is incorporated right into the potting mix or sprinkled on the surface and worked down into the mix.
> Most broadleaf trees and tropicals can be fed with any general houseplant or garden fertilizer.
> Conifers, azaleas and certain others can benefit from a monthly application of an acidic fertilizer, such as MirAcid.
> Some growers include hormones such as Superthrive in their regimen to stimulate root production.
> Trees should only be fertilized when in periods of active growth. This is generally from midspring through early summer and from late summer to early fall.
> If your summers are extremely hot and your trees are outdoors, do not fertilize until temperatures have moderated and growth has resumed.
> Likewise, do not feed trees in winter when they are either dormant or growth has slowed down.

Here we all are, waiting for hurricane Irene to pass.

juniper

Here is my juniper. It came from Wal-mart this spring.

When I got it, it was too late to do any root work, so I left it in the original pot. As the summer progressed the roots started to clog the drainage holes in the bottom. I knew something had to be done so I slip potted it today.I cut the old pot off and put it into a bigger one with more soil without disturbing the root ball. Since this tree is going to be a cascade I put it in it's new position and added some soil, and watered it. I made sure the roots on the new top of the soil were covered. Next spring I will start the root work and put it in a smaller pot.

Hydrangea cuttings

these are cuttings from my limelight hydrangea. I took them off my hydrangea and liked how they looked, so put them in water for a few weeks, and waited for roots to appear.Then I just put them in pots with free draining soil. I have a bunch of rooted cuttings but these two are my favorite. I can't wait to see how they develop.

eastern redbud

This is an eastern redbud that I got at mardens for $4.00.
These trees make horrible bonsai trees. The branches are brittle and the leaves are huge. It does back bud pretty well.I have trimmed off a bunch of the lower branches and it budded higher up.  the reason I got this tree is for it's flowers. it's one of the first trees to flower.The flowers pop out everywhere, including the trunk.
I got this tree in late spring it was probably too late to re-pot it, but I did. It bounced back pretty well. I didn't disturb too much of the root ball. next spring it's going to get a good root pruning.

Here are a few pictures of what it went through this summer.

willow #2

here is another willow cutting. The only reason I'm posting this is because of the pot. I was given it yesterday. I drilled 2 holes in the bottom, covered them with screen and added my last willow cutting with my version of bonsai soil (30% potting mix,70% napa oil-dry). I like this pot but I don't know how appropriate it is for any of my trees. We'll see.