Best laid plans...

A year ago last fall I visited New Orleans with my lovely bride and of course had to throw some bonsai into the trip so we visited an old friend Guy Guidry at his new digs.  I also met a few on-line friends for the first time at the shop- Jim Osbourne and Brian Gregoire....

And he was showing off this great pot from Dale Cochoy.  It happened to have a big sister that was on its way to me before I got a block away from the shop!  I already had a tree in mind for it.  A bald cypress clump I had purchased from Mark Goodman.

A quick "poor man's photo-shop"...

I really like the depth- It matches the thickness of the clump and BC want their roots cool and moist (they are swamp trees after all)... and the curves on this complement the curves of the buttressed base.

The texture and coloring is subtle and hints at a muddy bank/swamp without being distracting or too schtick-ey...

And there's nothing like an American pot for an American species and styled in an American flat-top style...

Unfortunately I got side tracked and by the time I got back to it the buds were too far advanced to risk a repot.  So back to it this year...

But first, I tried a quick video clip to give more detail:

Well... it looked good in the mock up anyway.  I need a good extra 4" (that's what she said) and Dales said he can't get any bigger on his pots. 

No, I can't just get a shoe horn and there is good base buttresses all the way to the edges of that root ball that need to stay to add stability to the image so I'm off to find other solutions.  Good cypress bonsai are all about those strong buttressed bases.  Knees are a good extra!  

So into a less-than-interesting mica pot for the time being and off to search for another likely candidate  for the drum pot amidst the 30 other big BCs I have...

On watering and soil mixes

"Along with the right to speak freely comes a responsibility to have a thick skin." -Jonathan Rauch

Making my annual post to the blog... (Okay, I SWEAR I'll post more this year.  New Year's Resolution)

So I was watching a Ryan Neil video last night and he made some interesting statements.  I picked up a lot of tidbits but in particular hit home:

Basically, he said as long as you know how to water it doesn't matter what kind of soil you use. Bonsai care does not have to be terribly complicated - as long as you are providing correct water and oxygen the tree will thrive.

This backs up what my old teacher Colin Lewis would say - "they're just potted plants..."

Bam.

This has been my contention for many years.

Sure I use a pretty much inorganic mix- lava and pumice.  And I've used mixes with organics in them.  And I even used straight Haydite/Turface.  Some of my best trees were in that mix but I paid a whole lot more attention to watering and feeding...

Those trees in sifted inorganic mixes often grow some serious roots.  And these mixes certainly mean you don't have to think about over-watering.   But they can also be unforgiving and may not be the best mix for the rank newcomer or the casual bonsa-ist with his new little juniper.  Having organic in your mix or even total "nursery mix" provides a more forgiving media while you learn what you are doing.  

I'll say it clearly.  Organic in your soil mix is not a sin.  Here come the pitchforks and torches.  Burn the heretic!

Watering is probably the most important basic task to master because it relates to so many other issues- nutrient delivery and uptake, oxygenation of the soil, all the microflora and fauna- and it is probably the most difficult task to learn.  What is our default response- looks dry?   Water more... which, except for the case of 100% inorganic leads to drowning of the roots and root rot. Many soils including inorganic "look dry" but in reality, just below the soil they are still abundantly wet. But miss a day in my climate with 100% and you have fried trees.  So you want to do it right!

Anyone that doesn't have that 100% inorganic mix- I teach/recommend the "chopstick" method - keep something wooden - a chopstick, toothpick, shishkabob skewer, whatever- in the pot all the way to the bottom.  Pull it out when you think its time to water.  Does it look damp?  If you hold it to your cheek, does it feel cool?  If so then wait a few to 12 hours and then check again.  When it is drying out then you can water again.  Eventually you'll get the rhythm down - this tree needs it every day.  This one- every second day and so forth.

I didn't invent it and I'll give the stink eye to anyone that says they did.  Its been around for years.

This is your tree "talking to you..."

This watering frequency will change with the season and as your organics breakdown.

These potting mixes are fine as long as you are able to satisfy the needs for water and oxygen in the soil.  They are not your "forever soil mix"... Over time you can change out the soil for a more advanced mix.

Note I said "over time"... Patience grasshopper...

Beating the hell out of your trees (or not)  is a peeve post for another day.