by George Buehler

We have had quite a time with the early June storms. Several of our members had some minor damage to their landscape but luckily no major structural damage. I hope that your trees survived the wind, hail and rain without too much damage.

We are rapidly coming to the worst time of the year for our bonsai - July and August. I am assuming that all your trees are out enjoying the Ohio Valley weather. The temperatures are warming up and the soaking rains will disappear. Now is a good time to check your watering schedule - at least once a day (See article Page 8).

If you use insecticides or fungicides it is also a good time to refresh your memory on how to use them. Most references recommend applying both fungicides and insecticides on cloudy days or late in the day when the sun is going down to prevent leaf burns. Out of time necessity, I have applied Diazinon during the heat of the day and my plants let me know they didn’t like it too much. So use caution if you have to use them. I believe the consensus of opinions of club members is to use both insecticides and fungicides full strength just like is used on a landscape plant.

Once again I am soliciting articles for the newsletter. They don’t have to be long or involved. They simply need to describe your experiences or ideas. Remember, that there is no real right or wrong in bonsai, so don’t be afraid to send in your information. I would like to receive the article by the 20th of the month prior to publication. Send it in an email, or word document or even by the post office.

Midge Goeth may be calling you for how you do things for her regular column ‘More Than Just Tofu”. If you would like to have particular type of hints published, just call Midge. She is also looking for help.

The tree on the back page is one of Lee Squires many beautiful exhibits. No caption is listed on the outside page of this newsletter due to security reasons.