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Early August
1. Summer watering (when temperature is 85 degrees)
- Deciduous trees, and trees with set fruit such as
akebia, karin, crabapple, bittersweet, citrus, persimmon,
etc.: water as many times as necessary, or move trees to
a shady area. They must not be allowed to dry out.
- For any bonsai whose trunk base is raised higher than
the pot's edge or that is root-bound, soak in water
first. When the soil is softened, spike several deep
holes with chopstick or pick and pour in some sand. This
will improve water penetration.
- Willows, tamarix, and other water-loving trees: place
bonsai in a shallow tray filled with water.
2. Controlling Red Spider
- With hot weather, red spider may invade and ruin the
color of pines and shimpaku. Spray with Malathion,
Orthene, or dusting sulphur. Must repeat two to three
times at ten-day intervals, as the eggs will keep
hatching.
- Conifers: Daily evening mist-spraying the leaves will
prevent damage from red spider.
Mid-August
3. Midsummer cuttings
- Starting midsummer cuttings differs from starting
cuttings at other times of year in that the pot with the
cutting should be placed in a shallow tray of water.
- Materials suitable for midsummer cuttings are quince,
choyu-bai hime, and other members of the contoneaster
family.
- The cuttings should be made from matured branches
from this year's growth.
- Put a layer of coarse decomposed granite (d.g.) in
the bottom of a small pot (the height of the d.g. is the
trick to this method: it should be even with the water
level of the shallow tray.
- Fill the rest of the pot with regular sand and
proceed with cuttings. Place in water tray and in full
sun. Cuttings will root in a short time.
Late August
4. Beech
- A characteristic and a drawback of beech is that the
new buds for next year will form only on the last two to
three leaves at the tip, which creates an elongated
branchlet.
- To control this elongation, start cutting the
branchlets back in the latter part of August, weak ones
first. Finish the cut-back by early September. Cut back
to the last two to three leaves on each branch; cut those
leaves off, leaving one-twelfth to one-tenth of an inch
attached to the branches.
- Leaf buds will form at the base of cut leaves. This
cutting will also induce new buds on last year's branches
and stimulate inner branchlets to grow as sunlight
penetrates through.
5. Nishiki-Matsu
This year's growth will be cut back during
late August through early September. New buds will form
immediately, but will not grow until next year. Pull some
old needles from the tip and clean up.
6. Shimpaku, five-needle and black pines
Trees being considered for the autumn show
can be shaped and transplanted now. Transplant as you would
in the spring; water generously, and mist-spray the top
portion for awhile.
7. Grass
Assorted group plantings of grass materials
can be made at this time. Select what's in season and put
them together. HAVE FUN!
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August Work
Schedule
