Welcome to the Saruyama Blog, intermittent and generally off topic. Occasionally you might see some trees...and weird ones at that.

Tuesday 26 March 2013

What to do with the endless winter?

Apologies for the long delay, I'm sure many of you got used to regular blog posts. Well you should know by now that I am as reliable as the British weather. Sometimes good, invariably dodgy.since the last post I have been clocking up the domestic miles with trips up and down the UK. A workshop up at willowbog and a trip down to the very successful exhibition Shohin UK down near Bristol, sandwiched by working with a number of clients, days repotting in the cold and nights wiring trees and trying to stay awake in hotel rooms. Still it's been fun and some good trees have been worked on. More on that if I get the chance.
The main reason for writing is to belatedly mention the need for extra special attention to your trees because of the weather. Extreme weather conditions are hitting us all over the UK and now trees are waking up despite the freezing cold and bitter winds. Why? Daylight hours. As the days get longer the trees think, well now is normally the time I would wake up and grow...sadly the arctic winds and freezing temperatures have a different effect on trees, especially the tender new growth of deciduous trees. Make sure that all your trees are out of the wind as much as they are protected from the cold. A freeze on those tips and a years growth is lost, resulting in a weakend tree and branch faliure.
What kind of a knock on effect does this have? Combined with last years poor summer and long dark winter, all of our trees are in a state of misery. Like me, they need sunshine, they need warmth and they need a rest. Do not expect to be able to do the same to your trees this year as you did last year, or five years ago. Take your foot off the pedal a little this year otherwise it could be a little too much.
Rather than investing in another new tree or a new pot, perhaps now is the time to start looking at grow lamps for the winter. Those of us who them will swear to their effectiveness and the difference they make to the trees. Combined with an insulated polytunnel or green house and undersoil and frost pritection heating, these are fast becoming essential elements in the arsenal of any serious enthusiast in the UK. More on this in the autumn.
I despair at the weather but not at the enthusiasm of the bonsai community. The recent Shohin show was very well attended and supported because it was well planned, organised and executed. My congratulations to the Coopers and Bob Bailey for putting on a great show, perhaps next time for the whole weekend? The thing that struck me was the positive atmosphere in the air, there were no people strutting around complaining or tearing others displays and trees to pieces, just a group of like minded people enjoying it. Good stuff.
Anyway, its midnight, I should be asleep...and for once it isn't me asleep on the sofa...
Resting up before the big EBA new talent battle next weekend, it's Marcus Wattzzzzzz
Inside and towards a heater people...

10 comments:

  1. I was rebuilding inner strength and energy i think !!!! or was it the wine?.

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  2. Hi Peter, nice to catch-up again (sort of) at the weekend and looking forward to your May visit. Marcus, I was like that after our slight detour home via Birmingham!! Keep well guys and best of luck next week Marcus

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  3. Now Peter that is just not fair on Marcus, funny, but not fair :-). There must be dozens of us around the world who have seen you in similar poses.

    Reading this? Have you snapped Mr Warrens early evening snoozes? Please send me all embarrassing photos for publication. Other compromising positions will also be accepted :-)

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    1. I get the feeling this is going to turn into a character assasination attempt...although is showing the truth classified as that? Oh well. I have nothing to hide. I hope.

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    2. Which of us with a laptop hasn't been like that at some time or another. Dreaming of pruning or wiring the next bonsai probably.

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  4. Ian I have posted THE most embarrassing photo Peter... now not for publication.

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  5. phil two fingers26 March 2013 at 18:51

    hi peter i agree with what your saying about the tunnel with heat in it there is about 16 inches of snow sitting outside my tunnel freezing, but inside it is sitting at +3 degrees and the trees are budding away nicley . i found that the last year the heat made a big difference to the trees and there growth, the only thing is that the weather has to pick up a good bit before you can reintroduce the trees to the outside elements. i wouldnt mind giving the lights a go next winter .what area do the lights cover etc ?
    cheers

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    1. Lights depend on a lot of factors, but a good 600 W system will cover a small greenhouse and be suitable for most purposes. The idea is not to make the trees grow as though it were summer, but to keep them happier than they are now. I will write up something before next winter.

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  6. Happy Arbor day, Spring has finally arrived and just in time. :) Your trees probably have suffered enough. I hope your summer and mine is warm and pleasant.

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  7. Hi Peter, Another tree day yesterday, this week we had Earthday, Arborday and our local Maple Festival. Lots of good maple syrup and candy. Yum. Only thing twas missing is the Bonsai Celebration. Maybe we need to start that as a national holiday. I could get off work and I'm sure they'd make it on a Monday. :)

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