by Lee Squires

I hope everyone who attended the Julian Adams’ presentations and workshop in February had a good learning experience and came away with some helpful ideas for their trees. He did promote doing air layers on the Zuisho Pines that were purchased and explained the process very well. He did not, however, discuss the different strengths of rooting powder. To get pines, most all evergreens and other hard to root plant material to root, you must use the strongest formula available. I use the Hormex No. 8 product which is used for hard to root woody plants and evergreens. The No.1 strength is for easy to propagate woody & house plants, No.3 is for semi-woody plants and easy to root evergreens. Bunton’s carries it and other garden stores may as well. You may also find the Rootone brand.

George’s potting article last month was pretty in depth and helpful. He did mention using rooting powder on cut roots during the potting process. I have always dusted rooting powder on larger roots ( 3/16” and larger) that I cut during potting. You want to start new root growth as quickly as possible. I have never used cut paste on a root. Yes, you do want it to heal but also it needs to put out new roots first. He also mentioned the use of mycorrhizae when potting. That is something I always use. I have been getting mine from Plant Health Care, www.planthealthcare.com, 1-800-421-9051. It is called PHC Plant Saver & they used to sell small packets but no longer. I get the 10 lb. package which has endo and ecto mycorrhizae fungi and rhizosphere bacteria in it. I use ¼ cup per gallon of soil mixed in the bonsai pot as I fill it with soil so it won’t wash away on the surface. I do apply it to the soil surface on trees that I do not plan to re-pot on a yearly basis. It also has a 4-7-4 organic fertilizer added to it. My bag this year has a shelf life until April 2013. George was correct in saying that cleaning pots with bleach will kill these “friendly fungi and bacteria”. So, why clean your pots with bleach? If you have a tree die from a fungus infestation I would use bleach to clean. If not, don’t take the chance of killing the mycorrhizae spores.

On March 12th from 1-4 we are planning on teaching a bonsai class at Yew Dell Gardens  as a fundraiser for Yew Dell. The ad in their newsletter just came out on Feb. 26th so I don’t know how many will be in attendance. We do need your help so please let me know if you can help instruct. Those already volunteering are: Earl Ekman, Russ Stevens, Tom McCurry, Don Mougey, & Steve Reeves and Earl Cormney (mid-afternoon).

On March 19th 10-12 we will be having a bring your own tree workshop at Bon Air Library. I hope to see you all there.