How To Prune A Bonsai Tree

Growing a bonsai tree is only one step to successfully allowing it to grow to its proper miniature size. One of the most important things that you need to do for it is to know correctly how to prune it. When you do not prune it correctly it will grow out of control or it will die early.

The first thing you will need to do when pruning a bonsai tree is to make sure that you are pruning it during the right season. It is true that there are certain types of trees that can be pruned throughout the whole year - but the majority of them can only be during a certain time. The best way to know when to prune them is to contact your local nursery. The rules that apply to the full size tree will also apply to the bonsai tree.

When pruning it severely you need to give your tree time to recover from this. In order to do this you need to give it the right kind of care. When you care for it the right way and prune it when needed then it will grow into a healthy tree and will live for many years. Those who do it correctly have been able to pass the trees on from generation to generation.

During pruning you will focus mainly on the trunk of the tree. This will help add to the illusion of the mature size and age of the tree. Make sure that you leave extra branches on the weak areas of the trunk. This will help to promote growth in that area and make it stronger. Any branches that are causing problems should be removed. Problem branches are ones that cross each other or grow back sharply in the direction of the trunk.

Another thing to remember when you prune the tree is that what you do above the ground will affect what happens to the tree below the ground. If you prune the branches and leaves heavily without cutting back the root system then the next season the tree will have an unusual burst of growth to try to fix the imbalance. When it comes to bonsai trees you want the root system to be ahead of the foliage and branches. But no more than 30%.

How To Grow Tomatoes

I learned early on in my life that sometimes it is better to grow our favorite fruits and vegetable ourselves. Sometimes we cannot trust what we find in stores and when it comes to what we put in our mouths we want to make sure that we have the best. Tomatoes are one of my favorite fruits and are easy to grow.

1. As with growing anything the first thing you have to do is to purchase the tomato plants at a nursery. Wait to buy them till after you know there will be no more frosts. Or you can always start to plant the seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost is expected.

2. When planting make sure that you choose a plot that receives plenty of sunshine throughout the day. The soil should have a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. If it is windy then try to protect them from the wind by planting them near a tree.

3. Combine lots of compost into the soil to make sure that it is full of the nutrients that will help your tomatoes to grow. Organic matter is one of the best things that will help your garden grow.

4. Harden off your seedlings and move them into your garden during the night hours when the temperature is above 50 degrees.

5. Each hole that you dig for the plants should be the size of a basketball. When you put the dirt back add some more compost and even some crushed eggshells to give them added calcium.

6. Make sure that you separate the plants 12 to 18 inches apart. Plant them deeply into the ground to help proper root development.

7. In order to keep cutworms away from your plants place a paper collar around each of their stems and cover them with cloches. The cloches will help protect against cold weather and other insects.

8. When the weather is warming up remove the cloches and mulch the soil. Tomato plants will grow tall so make sure that you provide them with the support they need to stay upright.

9. Every week you need to give them two inches of water and spray them with compost tea four times. Make sure to prune any plants (like weeds or poison ivy) that try to outgrow them.

10. You will be able to finally pick your first tomato when it is glossy and the texture is somewhere between soft and firm.

Starting An Organic Garden

There are several different types of gardens that one can tend to. Anyone has the ability to garden as long as they know what they are doing and have the patience it takes to tend to one. Many amateur gardeners wonder what organic gardening is. The fact that it is organic automatically leads us to believe that it is better for the plants. After all organic foods are better for us are they not?

This would be true. Organic gardens do not use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers on their plants. But that is only the half of it. The best way to tend to an organic garden is to look at it like a whole system. The plants start in the soil and with that they need water, people, and the wildlife around them to help them to grow. This means that organic gardeners must use the natural resources around them and to replenish these resources when they are running out.

You need to start the garden by first attending to the soil. You will need to regularly add organic matter to the soil using as much natural resources as you can. Everyone can get their hands on raw organic matter thanks to the foods that you cook and your lawn. Examples of organic material are fall leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable scraps. These make for great compost and are perfect for your organic garden.

Another way to make sure that your organic garden will grow properly is by choosing the best plants that are suited for this. Plants have the ability to adapt to the climate that they are put in and the conditions that they face. Keep in mind though that some plants have a harder time adapting and their natural defenses will be lowered. This means that you will need to work extra hard to bring them back up.

How To Find The Right Bonsai Tree

Bonsai is the act of miniaturizing a tree by growing them in containers. In order to grow a bonsai tree you need to learn how to properly water, shape, and repot the trees in the variety of styled containers. The art of growing a bonsai began in China during the Han Dynasty.

Finding the right bonsai tree is fairly simple. The first place you want to look is in your local area. You may find that some places will have the right type of bonsai tree that they know can be grown in your area and is already climate-ready. Because it is a tree you first need to ask permission before planting it if you do not own your own home.

The best places to start looking for a tree is at the nearest nurseries and garden centers. You will be surprised at some places that carry the amongst other exotic plants. If they don’t have any then you should try landscaping companies next.

Try to contact more then one of these places in your area. Sometimes they will remove shrubs and trees from a job site to replace them with others. When this happens you may find exactly what you need and be able to pick up the removed trees for only a small fee or maybe even for free.

If that resource doesn’t help then it is time to turn to the Internet. It has anything you will ever need so it should be no problem to find someone who can sell you a bonsai tree. All you need to do is pick the one you want and pay for it. It should only take a few days for it to arrive on your doorstep.

Learning To Recognize Poison Ivy

We all know just how annoying poison ivy can be thanks to the rashes that they cause on our skin when it is exposed to the urushiol liquid. The urusiol only comes out when the plant is punctured. The best way to protect ourselves from it is to learn how to recognize the plant before we touch it.

The most common thing to remember is the saying that “leaves of three let them be”. This is true - but it is also important to remember that some plants in the poison ivy plant will look slightly different. Some plants like the Virginia creeper are harmless and will not leave a rash. So you must be able to determine the good from the bad.

A great way to help you is the “black spot” sign. The urushiol oxidizes rapidly when it is excreted from the plant and is touched by the air around it. The oxidation causes a darkening so that the initial clear fluid will turn a creamy color until it changes to dark black.

You do have the ability to examine the plant carefully this way only if it has already been damaged and the oxidation process has already been done. You may also look at it if you wear protective gloves to protect your skin.

*Note: Those of you with children should teach them the “leaves us three” rule. It is easier for them to remember.