A Clean Sweep

I cleaned off part of the deck this weekend. Lots of dead trees from neglect. I don't know if the raintree will survive, but I'm hoping. I need to calm down and not get overwhelmed. I tend to go overboard on things, I need to take small steps and move on.

Brazilian Raintree

I was lucky to buy this tree from a fellow bonsai society member. There aren't too many raintrees in our region, and this one is gorgeous. At first glance you might think it is a Texas Ebony, another favorite native of mine. The leaves and thorns are similar, but it is the trunk that is very different. The Texas Ebony's trunk is round, while the Brazilian Raintree is flattened and squarish. It makes for a very interesting tree. Like the Ebony, the leaves close up at night or when stressed.

Boxwood

I won this boxwood at last years Bonsai Convention. I was so happy to get such a beauty of a tree. I love how the bark is smooth like a crepe myrtles. This guy is bigger than what I'm used to; it's in a five gallon pot.

Green Island Fig part 2

My second fig. I got this guy at the bonsai convention in New Braunfels last fall. I think it has lots of potential. It is leggy, but I can fix that.

Frankincense

This is another favorite tree. Break off a leaf or small branch and smell the wonderful aroma. No wonder the magi gave it as a gift to Jesus! I like the stumpy trunk and the thin leaves. Such a difference in texture. Notice the peeling bark? The only thing is that I'm not sure how to prune it. I haven't done anything to it, and so it is pretty leggy. I'd like to prune it back and see if it will ramify a bit.

Bald Cypress

This mother and daughter tree is very very young and ugly. I bought it at the Bonsai Society's auction 2 years ago. Maybe one day they will be something worthwile, but for now they are just baby trees in a growing pot.

Green Island Fig

I got this fig also from the Bonsai Society's auction. It's a great tree and something every beginner should have. The leaves are really thick and glossy. The tree buds back well, so mistakes are easily forgotten. The water marks were removed by wiping with a rag soaked in vinegar. I understand this tree breathes through its leaves and deposits residue on the leaves, so it will have to be cleaned before showing. Leonard Sorge told me to take off all it's leaves in June and it will produce smaller leaves. I did it and it does, naturally. This tree also reduces it's leaves when in full sun.

This is the same tree a year later. It lost all it's leaves when we had an early spring and then a quick freeze in February. But it has come back pretty well and I anticipate it will be full come August. I didn't notice it until I took this picture, but it needs to be turned every few days -- all the leaves are facing toward the back! Notice how shiny the leaves are compared to last year. I try not to get the leaves wet when I water; this makes a big difference and keeps the leaves from spotting so much.

Location, location, location

On the south side of my house I have a nice deck built where I keep my trees. There are plenty of live oak trees for shade and bright sunny spots for those trees that like the heat.

In the winter, I build a wall enclosing part of the deck that juts into the main part of the house. I enclose the wall with plastic sheeting and often use a space heater for especially cold nights. It isn't big - about 4x12 but it does a good job of keeping the trees and plants sheltered.

Welcome to My Bonsai Workshop

I enjoy bonsai. The quiet working with each tree, the slow, methodical grooming and love give me great pleasure and comfort. Unfortunately my trees don't get the best of care, I'm a beginner but I'm learning. I hope that the trees I have now will be with me for many years to come.