Make plans to stop by the Free Third Thursday Workshop on December 17. The workshop begins at 7PM. Take a break from your shopping. Winter weather is here so time to start major work on those trees! Also, don’t forget, now is the time to start prepping for our March Show. So, bring a couple trees by the Hall of Flowers and get advice from advanced members of the club.

Last month of 2009 and the first serious full month of bonsai work. Yep, time to get to work. most bonsai work in the Bay Area is done in the winter when trees have slowed their growth.

Even though winter begins this month, we are having very mild days with lots of bright sunshine. Maybe some of your trees are reluctant to drop their leaves. Maybe some are actually pushing new growth and blooming. If the tree is not actively growing, go ahead a remove the leaves leaving the petioles. If trees are growing, move them to a shady cool area of your yard. Less light and cooler temps should help your trees go dormant. Remember to ramp up the percentage of potassium and phosphate in your fertilizer. Some growers prefer 0-10-10 while other prefer at least some nitrogen in the mix. The extra potassium and phosphate is thought to help with flower, root, and bud production, all important plant parts for next spring.

As for your junipers. Enjoy the bonus growing season! Junipers typically grow all season here. So keep fertilizing with a balanced fertilizer through the month. The Fall is also a good time to repot junipers. So consider getting a jump on repotting season. Remember, free draining soil recipes are best for your trees. Especially as the winter rains start to fall.

Our bumper crop of caterpillars are still lingering. Keep an eye out for signs of insect damage. We are not really sure why we have had so many this year. Next year, consider applying a sprinkle of Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt to your plants. Bt is a bacterium that only infects caterpillars. It produces an endotoxin that crashes the digestive system of the caterpillars munching on your trees. Bt is not a universal caterpillar controller. But, it’s organic so can’t hurt to give it a try.

December and January are the best months to work on your trees. Unfortunately, it’s also a busy time for other facets of life. Try to make time for your trees. What better way to escape the busy holidays then spending an afternoon working on your trees. Consider finding a group of other like-minded bonsai people to work with trees. There are several groups in the club that get together on Saturdays to work on trees. Ask around at the next meeting. We are also having a December 3rd Thursday workshop this year. Make plans to be there!

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