It's that holiday time of the year where bonsaists hope their wish lists will have been heard by someone out there. This is the time to acquire new tools and pots and books and trees and stands.
The difficulty we have here in the Toronto area is finding just the right place to buy those items for ourselves or someone close to us. a good place to start, of course, is to see Gim at our December meeting to see what tools and supplies he still has available for purchase. ...And then, of course, there's our web site, where, in the Vendors' section, names, telephone numbers and addresses can be found of businesses in our area who not only carry all sorts of good items, but who also support your club by advertising here. It's always best to call and find out just what items are currently in stock.
Hardy Evergreens And Deciduous Plants
If it's going to be an early winter with some of the white stuff already on the ground, check your trees. First of all, with newly fallen snow, the tracks of various creatures that might wish to make a meal of your wintering trees can be easily spotted, an corrective measures can be taken by you - traps might be bought and set or fencing might be erected, whichever is appropriate.
You might also keep in mind that snow, especially the light and fluffy kind, makes a great insulating blanket for your trees. But be careful when applying it that you do not inadvertently break branches in the process. If a warm spell arrives a little later on, the melting snow will also ensure that your trees do not dry out from lack of moisture.
Tropicals
Remember to keep rotating your trees weekly so that a different side of your trees is close to the light - doing so prevents trees from leaning in one direction as they try to get the most light that's available to them.
If you're keeping trees under artificial lights keep an eye on the distance that the tops of the trees are from the fluorescent bulbs you are likely using - kep that distance of 2" to prevent leaf burn. If incandescent lights form part of your lighting setup, keep leaves even further away since these bulbs generate a significant amount of heat - this heat can lead to plants burning and drying out. You'll need to be sure to water more frequently, and daily misting might be a good idea as well. Placing your pots on a thin bed of gravel is also a good idea sinc e the water the gravel retains from watering your pots, will be given back to the plants in the moist microclimate that is created as the water evaporates.
Not much growth can be expected in the short days of December and early January unless extra, bright light is provided by you.
Be vigilant: this is the time of year that bugs, that escaped your sanitation regimen as you brought your trees inside in the fall, begin to make themselves known. At first sign of infestation, take appropriate action!
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