JULY : If you want the best autumn colours for trees like maples then reduce the nitrogen in your feeding. This is the time when water butts are often empty, so fill with tap water, also If your tree is small enough, then place in container of water to just over the soil level and leave till all air bubbles have completely gone, your tree will thank you for this on a weekly basis. If you have to use a hose keep the pressure low otherwise you could shot blast the soil out the pot, or help solidify the soil and your trees will not thank you for this especially if the leaves are very delicate.
Only leaf prune badly scorched leaves, if they are brown then they are not working anymore. Constant watering will encourage moss, whilst this will enhance the presentation of the bonsai, do not allow to completely cover the pot. One weed that is prolific and unsightly is Liverwort so remove as quickly as possible. Caterpillars can become a nuisance and strip your trees, so be ware and have the ready to hand pest control.You will possibly be spending a lot less time in the garden now the trees are in full leave and approaching their best, it’s advisable to take a seat with a cuppa and study them from all angles, make notes on how to plan their future shaping. It might be worth photographing your trees to aid next year’s potential shaping and you can also compare with last years or if none taken, the following years photos to see what a difference you have made, can also help if you make an error and what you need to do to correct.

July Meeting dates : Tuesday 11th July Collette Harrison from Southampton Bonsai talking Azaleas and Workshop Sunday 23rd July