Next meeting

Hope to see all of you at our next meeting, which is this Wednesday, March 3rd at 7. Vic and Jane are signed up to bring the food and drink. I will be doing a short presentation on trunk chopping and growing a new apex, especially as it pertains to bald cypress.

Boyd and I have started and almost finished repotting of deciduous trees. On advice from Dana Q., we have begun to incorporate akadama into our soil mix. The mix that we used was approximately:
Akadama 40%
Pine Bark 20%
Hadite 40%
We have begun adding a small measure of charcoal (horticultural) to the finished mix. No more than 5% of the total. The mixture is very free draining and will necessitate the need to be very careful with routine watering this year. However, the akadama does retain a considerable amount of moisture. There are several sizes of akadama available, and we went with a combo small and medium sizes. I'd suggest the smaller size for mame/shohin size trees. Yes, it is an additional cost. Hopefully, we will get a positive result with the trees that warrants the additional expense. You can find the charcoal at Chastant Brothers on Pinhook in Laf. One bag will last you a while. Very inexpensive. I break up the bigger chunks before adding to the mix. It is also a recommended procedure to mist the trees after repotting with the HB 101 everyday for up to 3 weeks. Don't overdo as a drench in the soil, as we're told that it will build up salts in the soil. 1/3 of a cap/gal is suggested. HB 101 is available at Brussel's and is very expensive $28 for a 3.38 oz. bottle, however the quantity that you are using is quite small. HB 101 is not really a fertilizer, but is listed as a ''natural plant concentrate". Don't confuse it with SUPER thrive, that I do not use. Take care and happy bonsaiing. Johnny