I've tried 5 times to grow Bonsai. After 6 months they died. I wish I could grow them but I'll stick with my Orchids, Viotets, Cactus and Succulents. I'll just enjoy everyone else's Bonsai.
I've tried 5 times to grow Bonsai. After 6 months they died. I wish I could grow them but I'll stick with my Orchids, Viotets, Cactus and Succulents. I'll just enjoy everyone else's Bonsai.
For me "everyone else" does not have bonsai. The bonsai I'm after would cost £100s so I need to be up to speed.
My biggest problem is holidays; I don't trust neighbours. I have noticed that when my immediate neighbours go on holidays, their waterers do nothing until the day before the return, then they are there watering like mad. There was a localish bonsai nursery that had a bonsai holiday "kennel". Now defunct,
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
A friend has a large garden that opened for the NGS. She never went on holiday as she was concerned about plants and a small nursery. There has to be an exceptance that if you are unable to trust your neighbour/ relative you need to get professional help for plants that are expensive or have complex watering needs, they are yours after all.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I have just posted this elsewhere, but thought it would fit the bonsai theme.
Rhododendron cubitii.
I like that very much. I'm always tempted by the gnarled specimens for sale at Lea Rhododendron Gardens, perhaps one day I will succumb and have a go at bonsai culture. Is that a 'true' bonsai, or have you sort of adapted some of the techniques just to allow you to grow the Rhododendron like that?
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
@Dovefromabove That looks like a great idea. I always think it is wrong to put responsability on others to water for you, especially if they have no interest in gardening. They smile say 'yes of course I will water for you' but if they were honest they are busy the weather is hot and they have enough to do. That is when things go wrong.
As part of my job I have watered a garden with thousands of pots/ hanging baskets a greenhouse and plants that were specialist. In the heat you need to be watching everything, ok when you can just go outside, not so easy from down the road.
A 'stick of rock doesn't cut it' as a thankyou. Gardeners who are leaving their pride and joy to someone else's care needs to be aware of what they are expecting of others. If they return home to dead plants it isn't the fault of the reluctant waterer.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
A few times, I've been asked to water plants. They're wrong for the conditions. All you can do is hope to keep them going until the owner gets back for them to die on their watch. The plants I most hate to look after are sweet peas. Totally unforgiving if you let them seed.
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My biggest problem is holidays; I don't trust neighbours. I have noticed that when my immediate neighbours go on holidays, their waterers do nothing until the day before the return, then they are there watering like mad. There was a localish bonsai nursery that had a bonsai holiday "kennel". Now defunct,
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
https://www.beechfieldbonsai.co.uk/uk-bonsai-clubs-societies/
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
They smile say 'yes of course I will water for you' but if they were honest they are busy the weather is hot and they have enough to do. That is when things go wrong.
As part of my job I have watered a garden with thousands of pots/ hanging baskets a greenhouse and plants that were specialist. In the heat you need to be watching everything, ok when you can just go outside, not so easy from down the road.
A 'stick of rock doesn't cut it' as a thankyou. Gardeners who are leaving their pride and joy to someone else's care needs to be aware of what they are expecting of others. If they return home to dead plants it isn't the fault of the reluctant waterer.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Original image to be found below.
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/441915782158904924/