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Wednesday, July 9, 2008

SPECIMEN BONSAI AT BONSAI WEST

SPECIMEN BONSAI AT BONSAI WEST

A Specimen Bonsai is a one-of-a-kind bonsai that has exceptional beauty or potential.

These trees are all old trees with good pedigree and have been passed down from the orginal bonsai artists and owners of the trees from around the world.
These specimen bonsai have been selected out of our huge inventory and are grouped by species.
We are constantly updating our listing!

Bonsai West has one of the largest selections of imported Korean Hornbeam, Japanese Azalea, Shimpaku Juniper, and a huge assortment of other fine specimen Bonsai seldom seen outside of Japan. Should any of our trees catch your eye, we are more than happy to send you additional photos and information about any particular tree you request.

Growing Fuchsia from Cuttings


Two leaf cutting ready for potting


Cuttings tray and 6 week old plant


Three stages of propagation

Make sure that the plant you are going to use for cuttings is in good condition, free from disease and pests and has been watered a few hours beforehand. Soft-tip cuttings are the best, it is not necessary to use hormone rooting powder. Peat based compost is ideal, a little vermiculite can be added if you wish.

Using a sharp knife remove cutting from stem just underneath a leaf node (cutting approx. half to one inch long according to variety ).

Hold by leaves not stem, bruising of the stem can result in failure. Place cutting into prepared compost, do not press down the compost with fingers, give the pot or tray a few taps, this is sufficient to settle the compost.

Water and place in propagator 60F - 15C. If you do not have a propagator, cover tray with clear plastic lid or pot with clear plastic bag, place in a well lit situation , but not in direct sunlight.

After approximately 3 weeks new growth will appear, get plants acclimatised from their humid growing conditions. Remove plastic lid or bag 2 or 3 times per day for a few minutes

When more growth is apparent it is time to plant into individual pots. Keep plants cool and damp but not soaking wet. Grow on in the normal way.

Preparation for a Hardy Fuchsia Bed


A Hardy Fuchsia border

Whether growing a plant yourself from a cutting or puchasing a plant from a nursery, always grow-it-on until it fills a 5 inch pot, the growing tips should have been pinched out at least once. Preparation for a hardy fuchsia border can begin the previous Autumn by digging in well rotted manure. You must remember that a plant will be in situ for many years, so preparation is important. Before planting your new fuchsias into the garden, wait until all risk of frost has gone and night temperatures are no lower than 10c/50f.

A position of dappled shade is ideal, if this is not possible don't worry. As long as the root system has plenty of moisture they will virtually thrive in any position in the garden. If you only intend planting a single plant in an established border, just prepare the planting area. Make the planting hole at least twice the size of the pot and a few inches deeper, add a sprinkling of a nitrogen type fertilizer.

Before placing plant in hole, remove any leaves on bottom of stems, 2"/3" inches. Level of garden soil will come up higher on stems than when it was in the pot, quite alright, by placing the plant deeper this will help protect the 'crown' of the fuchsia during it's first winter against frost. Water-in and make sure soil is kept moist for the first few weeks.

In late Autumn when they begin to die down you can trim them back to 18 inches (never cut them down to ground level at this stage, especially if your area is prone to frosts).

Only cut the old stems to ground level in late Spring when new growth appears at soil level. If you live in areas e.g. Zone 10 and do not really get cold winters, give them a light trim and feed, this will strengthen your plant. The only exception to cutting down to ground level is if you are growing the Magellanica type for hedging.

In late Spring when new growth appears dig in a granular type Nitrogen feed, during the summer months dig in e.g. fish,blood and bonemeal, pelleted chicken manure, or fish emulsion.

When the flowering season arrives, remove dead flowers/seed pods, then your fuchsias will continue to flower for a much longer period.

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