Author: Rick Manning

Outdoor & Indoor: Watering is still a very important job at this time of year. Trees can dry very quickly during hot days. When the soil stays dry for too long the roots can be damaged or even killed. This can have devastating effects on your tree. Now is the time to switch to a low nitrogen fertilizer. The soil should be moist before the fertilizer is applied. This is a time when trees prepare themselves for winter. Trunks and branches will thicken as materials are stored there for…

August is definitely Bonsai month in the Chicago area  The Prairie State Bonsai Society’s show at the Destination Asia Festival hosted annually by The Morton Arboretum in Lisle is scheduled for August 4, 5, and 6, 2023.  On Thursday, August 3rd, we will be setting up tables and displays in the Sycamore Room in the Arb’s Visitor Center.  On Friday, starting around noon, we will be accepting trees brought by members for display in the show, and the show will be open for a preview by Arboretum members and…

In the annals of cinema history, Gloria Stuart will forever be remembered for her iconic portrayal of older Rose Dawson in the timeless classic “Titanic.” However, beyond her illustrious acting career, few may know about her lesser-known passion for the captivating art of Bonsai.Gloria Stuart, who passed away in 2010 at 100, had a deep-rooted love for bonsais that she cultivated throughout her life. When she wasn’t gracing the silver screen, she could often be found in her serene garden, meticulously tending to her cherished miniature trees.Bonsai, originating from…

Momiji 紅葉 (Japanese Maple)  Momiji, also known as The Japanese Maple, (Acer palmatum), is originally from Japan, China, and Korea. It owes its botanical name to the hand-shaped leaves with five pointed lobes. Palma is Latin for palm, as in the palm of your hand. In spring the new leaves have a yellowish or orange to bright red colour, depending on the variety or cultivar. The maple is also known and loved for its attractive autumn colours in all shades of yellow, orange and red. The bark of young trees is green…

Outdoor: The most important thing is to water the trees. The second most important is water. Heat and drought can have a significant effect on our bonsai. A tree in a bonsai pot can dry out surprisingly fast in the sun. Check the trees as often as possible and water them thoroughly whenever you water them. Spraying water onto the foliage late in the afternoon can help cool the foliage and container and reduce water loss. Reduce or suspend fertilization. If you are not seeing new growth in your…

Creation of a Rock Planting By Jim Keith I attended the 2016 American Bonsai Show that was held in St. Louis, Mo. One of the vendors there was Andy Smith, who specializes in collected material from South Dakota.  I purchased this tree that Andy collected. It is a Black Hills Spruce and Common Juniper.  I thought it was unique as there were two different species that were part of the material collected. Andy planted the material on a slab. Here is a photo of the trees after I purchase…

Satsuki Azalea 皐月  Satsuki azalea bonsai—Rhododendron indicum—are as iconic as a Japanese maple or Japanese black pine bonsai. Members of the huge Rhododendron family are the most flamboyant of flowering shrubs, producing masses of bright flowers in late spring. Many originate from Japan, where these plants have been propagated and hybridized since the 1600s.The name is derived from the Asian lunar calendar, and it refers to when the tree blooms. The term Satsuki is in reference to the Asian lunar calendar, in particular, to the fifth month. The Japanese gave it that name…

Indoor: If at all possible, these trees will benefit greatly from a summer in the outdoors. Ideally, they should have all been moved out by now, but there is still time if you have not already moved them out. Water as needed. Watering will depend on the weather, the location of the trees (sunny or shady), the soil, the pot size, and other factors. In many cases, however, daily watering will be needed. Always check the moisture content of the soil before watering. Fertilization should continue. Check wires for…

This was a great picnic!   On Sunday, June 25th, we held our annual picnic at Cantigny Park.  We counted the number of participants at the picnic ranging from 32-35 at various times.  If you missed it, you missed a great time! The food was delicious, with various members bring a wide variety of dishes to stimulate our taste buds.  We had many trees on display for the public to view and Char Field set up her display showing various types of trees and discussing many of the basics…

Fuji (Wisteria) The Fuji (藤), also known as Wisteria, is a strong, fast-growing deciduous vine with alternating compound leaves. In spring, it produces long drooping clusters of bluish-purple fragrant flowers. The genus Wisteria comprises less than 10 species, most of them native to China and Japan and two native to North America. In gardens, it is often used to grow over pergolas or facades. Several cultivars have different flower colors, like white, pink, and dark purple. The most common species for bonsai are the Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and…