HORTICULTURE + CARE

Michael  is the owner and founder of the Los Lunas based Soil Secrets, and is a master of soil composition. Here are four surprising proclamations to consider: Liquid fish fertilizer is bad because of chemical additions used to make it “safe” Mushroom compost is bad because of its calcium-producing tendencies. Chemical acidifiers are bad because they create more salinity. Overusing compost…  FULL STORY

The 3 basic components of plant food are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. On all store-bought fertilizers, these 3 will be listed by the N-P-K ratios. Numerous other “trace elements” are blended with these. The compositions, strengths, frequencies of use, and seasonal timing provide yet more tempests-in-teapots for bonsaists to argue about. Historical perspective: The use of organics is a very…  FULL STORY

“Studying wine taught me that there was a very big difference between soil and dirt: dirt is to soil what zombies are to humans. Soil is full of life, while dirt is devoid of it.” —Olivier Magny: Into Wine: An Invitation to Pleasure There is probably more opinion/voodoo concerning soil than about anything else in bonsai, and that’s saying something!…  FULL STORY

The main enemies to keeping bonsai here are: 1. Direct and reflected full sun. 2. Desiccating winds, both summer and winter. 3. Lack of any meaningful humidity.

Presentation by our resident botanist Karl Horak. View On Prezi > Transcript of Leaf Anatomy Leaf Anatomy for Bonsai It’s all about photosynthesis But what exactly is a leaf? Evolutionarily, it’s a flattened stem The key is to look for an axillary bud What the hell is an axillary bud? It’s a bud in an axil, of course. Damn you,…  FULL STORY

Many of you will recall that in January of 2013, there was a crisis for the Bonsai community as the U.S. Department of Agriculture had placed a ban on the import of Akadama soil into the United States. Akadama is a basic ingredient in many soil compositions used throughout the Bonsai community. As it turned out, the ban was only…  FULL STORY

Presentation by our resident botanist Karl Horak. View On Prezi > Plant Anatomy for Bonsai What is Plant Anatomy? The internal structure of plants A Bonsai-centric Overview Ancient visage Secondary Growth Girth only Primary Growth Elongation Hormones Shoot apices Propagation Anatomy is a key to grafting, air layering, rooting of cuttings, “breaking back” Not to be confused with “Plant Morphology”…  FULL STORY

This is a tricky month. The average high temperature is 59 degrees, and the average low is 32 degrees. The record high is 85 degrees and record low 9 degrees. The average humidity is 38%. The winds are picking up, and we can get very strong gusts. Winds have been clocked at 60 MPH. Keep the trees in the cold…  FULL STORY

The last month of the calendar winter. The weather is similar to January. The nights will still be below freezing. Toward the end of the month, there are some warm, balmy, spring days. Close the cold frame or the trees get too warm and start budding. The average high for the month is 52 degrees; average low is 27 degrees.…  FULL STORY

This is our middle of winter, and it can get cold. The average high temperature is 46 degrees; the average low is 23 degrees. Records are 69 degrees for the high and -17 degrees for the low. Relative humidity is 53%. On warmer days of 40 degrees or above, the cold frame can be opened to allow circulation of fresh…  FULL STORY

This is winter now. Even though some days are fairly warm, keep the cold frame closed. Open it if there is a “warm” snow during the day, but close by nightfall. The average high temperature is 47 degrees; the average low is 24 degrees. The record high is 72 degrees; 3 degrees is the record low. 2015-16 update:  El Nino…  FULL STORY

The nighttime temperatures are going below the freezing point now. The average high temperature is 57 degrees; the average low is 31 degrees. The record high is 77 degrees; the record low is -7 degrees. Trees should be dormant now and in their winter protection. You may open the cold frame on warmer days and during “warm” snows. Close the…  FULL STORY

Nights may be too cool now for semi-tropicals. Move deciduous trees to a shadier location to prevent new growth. Watch the weather reports more carefully now. It is common to have an early frost. The average high is 71 degrees; the average low is 44 degrees. The record high is 87 degrees (2015 update:  expecting 90° on Oct. 2); record…  FULL STORY

Days are getting cooler but there are still hot days an it is still very dry (except during the state fair downpours!). The average high is 83 degrees; the average low is 56 degrees. The record high is 98 degrees; the record low is 32 degrees. If freezing weather is forecast, put the trees in the ground. Watering: You may cut…  FULL STORY

There are usually thunderstorms during the first part of the month. They usually stop abruptly, and the end of the month can be the driest part of the year. The average high is 89 degrees; the average low is 63 degrees. The record high is 101 degrees; the record low is 52 degrees. The average relative humidity is 47%, but…  FULL STORY

The weather is still hot, but there is more rain. Average high is 92.2 degrees; average low is 65.2 degrees. The record high is 104 degrees; record low is 54 degrees. Relative humidity is 43%. Rains can come down in torrents. The sun filter overhead has another use, protecting the bonsai from having soil washed out of the pot. Watering: Water…  FULL STORY

This month is traditionally hot and dry. Average high is 89.5 degrees; average low is 59.7 degrees. The record high is 105 degrees; the record low is 42 degrees. The humidity averages 29%, getting down to around 10% by afternoon on a windy day. It is important now that the trees are in filtered sun. If they have too much…  FULL STORY

This month is still windy. Average high is 79.9 degrees; average low is 50.7 degrees. Record high is 98 degrees; record low is 28 degrees. Average humidity is 28%, lowering by 5 PM to 16%. Start a habit of rotating trees periodically to insure healthy growth all around. Watering: Water well every morning, hosing entire area on windy days. Keep pines…  FULL STORY

April is usually the windiest month in Albuquerque. The average high temperature is 70 degrees, and the average low is 41 degrees. The record high is 89 degrees; the record low is 18 degrees. Humidity averages 30%. Start bringing trees out of the cold frame, but be prepared to put them back in should there be a late killing frost.…  FULL STORY