grow a bonsai tree

Just look at the carved deadwood!

I want one like that :)

http://internetbonsaiclub.org/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=133&action=dlattach;topic=19453.0;id=14968;image

I use the same soil mix as for ALL trees. I think the issue of ‘right’ soil is way overdone in the bonsai scene too.
I use 70 to 80 % pumice or lava split or turface or baked loam or perlite or similar or a mixtue of all of these plus 20 zo 30 % rough peat. Nothing else. This requires quite frequent and thorough watering plus agressive feeding.

I treat most trees with deadwood once a year with lime sulphur. I make sure this is way ahead of any exhibit. Then I make sure algae and moss don’t grow much on the dadwood. I want my deadwood to look as credible as possible in the long run. I love the silvery tone with some black in it.

Leaf Cuttings

All succulent Crassulas are suited to propagation by leaf cuttings. The method is to break off a healthy leaf, early in the summer, and leave the break to callus over for a week or so. Insert the broken end in sharp, dry sand, leave for a further week and then water minimally until signs of growth are obvious. Succulents rot if over-watered.
Crassula leaf cutting
Crassula leaf cutting with tiny plantlet developing.

Your first successes with cuttings are a source of tremendous satisfaction. As you progress to more tricky subjects and achieve results with them too, the fun continues. My greenhouses are continually being reorganised to make room for new batches. The problems of space, materials and the time to look after all the young plants become the limiting factors to enthusiastic propagators.

http://internetbonsaiclub.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=130&Itemid=134

Lots of cool information and pictures!

I think I might do a cutting and see if I can get some Rhododendron starts going to bonsi for my mum’s garden… and eventually my own ;)

With bouncing back and fort to to school out of state, this isn’t in the cards right now