by Lee Squires

Here we are into early March, and some of my trees are just starting to break bud and put out some leaves. This is a little later than last year, so there is time left for potting and repotting. But get started before it is too late!

Also, before it's too late, you need to make your reservations for the Bjorn Bjorholm demo and workshop on April 9th & 10th. Please see our advertisement in this newsletter with all needed information. This should prove to be a great educational and fun weekend. Tommy & Earl and some of the "demo gang" went to Brussel's Bonsai last weekend and picked out some winning specimens for the demo & future workshops. You don’t want to miss this event with the young Bjorn teaching us his Japanese skills.

I'll offer some good advice to you potters out there. Get some Espoma Bio-tone Starter Plus Organic Fertilizer. It has a 4-3-3 analysis and has 25 species of endo and ecto mychorrizae and other beneficial bacteria. After you put 2/3 of your soil in the pot add some of this great material. I generally use 1 to 4 tablespoons, depending on pot size, and sprinkle it evenly in the pot. Add the rest of the soil and water well. This gives the plant a nitrogen boost without burning and inoculates the soil with beneficial bacteria for optimum plant and root growth. Trees that you are not transplanting can be fertilized as well by spreading it on the soil surface. Bunton’s and some other garden centers have this in stock. Espoma makes several types of organic fertilizers that you can use on your bonsai without having to use those ugly organic cakes (squirrel magnets) that are advertised in some of the periodicals and a 4 lb. bag sells for less than $15.00.

Hope to see you at the workshops and demos on the bonsai horizon.