THINGS TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND THEN
If it ever stops raining go out there and evaluate the plant possibilities for show.  Weed and clean up the grounds.  There are many places to collect moss for a new and tidy lawn for your bonsai, or you may opt for a gravel surface. 

Prune what needs pruning.  Judicious use of wire to gently correct branches is acceptable.  Step back and take a good look.  If necessary go back and do it all over again.

The same goes for accent plants. Some can be maintained year after year.  Some are better off new.  You can go to your local garden center and either gat a 6 pack of ground covers or a 4” pot.  Clean up a suitable small pot and plant your new accent plants up to just a week before the show.  This way you can pick something in bud or bloom.

Clean off your bonsai pots.   You can scrub them with Lime-Away if you have lime deposits and then apply oil. 

I have used mineral oil in the past but find that using an old sock full of ground walnuts does wonders for both cleaning and oiling pots.  The walnut oil works equally well to dust and polish your stands, which also should be clean and ready before setting up your display.  You can store the ground walnuts in the freezer for the next year.  I usually put the firs grinding of the nuts in two socks.  I either toss or wash the outside sock and have a fresh sock for next year.  Cotton crew socks work well.  Try to use one that has a medium to fine knit as the nuts can come out of the sock that is a loose knit.

Sandy Vrooman

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