Satsuki Newsletter 2009 no1

The Satsuki Society of Australasia
Newsletter: no. 6, February 2010
Chairman: Arthur Robinson
Email: info@satsukisociety.com
Vice Chairman: Alf Devine
Email: alfdevine1083@yahoo.com.au
Secretary/Treasurer: Susie Nolan
Email:susienolan@primus.com.au
From the Chairman’s Keyboard
No time to stop!
January, February and March are busy months in the
Satsuki Calendar. Even in the summer heat, except
where it gets into the high thirties and on, there is some
growing taking place and we can be busying ourselves
every day.
Water like it’s raining, after flowering.
Notice
The next meeting will be held on
Sunday 21st February
From 12.00 till4.00
@
Chris Webster’s place,
33 Hummingbird Gardens,
Ballajura.
Ph. 9209 1127
We are gradually discovering that some of the best
varieties for bonsai are available in Australia and we
should all be hunting them down and propagating them
as much as we can which in turn will encourage others
to grow them.
Inside you will find a list along with a few notes of
some of these, which will help you in your search.
You may find that nurseries, being what they are, have
given them other names, after all English names are
easier to remember and original labels get lost.
If you can, get hold of Japanese catalogues and books
that have the names in Romanji ( English ) this will
help you familiarise yourselves with the world of
Satsuki names.
Keep your Satsuki cool this summer,
Arthur Robinson
Copyright © Satsuki Society of Australasia Inc. 2010
P2
no6 February 2010
Leaf burn in Summer
Australia’s heat can spoil the current year’s crop of
fresh leaves so easily.
Here are some of the causes and some of the actions
we can take to ameliorate the problem.
Causes
WA has very high UV ratings—frequently 10 and
very low humidity.
Some work to be done in Summer
With young stock we are not too concerned with
next year’s flowers as establishing the basic form is
more important.
Here are some 2 year old plants which are being
thinned out, providing plenty of cuttings for future
pot or ground growing. Satsuki are prolific in
putting out new shoots which will in turn provide
multiple choices for future shaping.
SA often has the same and the water is hard—a
major problem.
Victoria has sudden dry heat in the summer period.
Satsuki do not like hot nights.
Sometimes the watering regime is not consistent.
Quite often an imbalance is caused by an inadequate
root system to top half, making it difficult to keep
the plant healthy.
Hot dry winds.
Actions
Regularly feed Satsuki after flowering with Seasol,
well diluted, and combine with liquid fertiliser.
As most of the burning occurs to the larger leaves.
A reduction of back leaves ( leaving the smaller
ones on the twig ) can help.
On the left a 2 year old cutting and on the right, one that
has been thinned out. Six cuttings came off the R/H plant.
If reducing leaves by plucking or cutting, move the
plant to a more shaded area and do not over water as
a soggy, weak plant will only weaken further.
Guard against further hot winds. Side protection
with shade cloth is often forgotten.
Misting is much loved by Satsuki (after flowering).
Some varieties are much more prone to leaf burn
than others so take special care of them when you
find out. Bring specimen trees indoors over night.
Some more sensitive hybrids will grow perfectly
well in almost total shade, but bring them into a
more lightened area once the heat of Summer is
over or they won’t flower well next season.
Use rain water or water that has been seasoned for a
few days in a tub.
Use protection such as “Stress Guard”.
The left hand cutting is a different one, yet to be dealt
with. The right hand one is the same as above but has
been given some initial wiring.
At this season there is constant wiring to be done.
PS The little dots you can see are just moss heads
Ensure that the fine surface roots are adequately
covered.
Diluted “Clonex” feeds build up the root system.
Copyright© Satsuki Society of Australasia Inc. 2010
P3
no6 February 2010
Some Satsuki to look for and their uses.
L M S refers to Large Medium and Small bonsai use.
The uses much depend on leaf size and pattern of growth NOT flower size as many
shohin bonsai have proportionately quite large flowers but smaller leaves and/or
short internodal growth. All good bonsai subjects need to be vigorous.
Kinsai.
Frequently called Rhododendron Indicum Delicatessimum. L,M,S
Kozan. Given the name of ‘Softly, Softly’ and sometimes ‘Koryu’ L,M,S
Does not like too much strong sun.
Shinkyo.
Sport of ‘Yata no Kagami’. Mostly L,M. Longer internodal growth.
Osakazuki. Seldom given other names unlike its sports. A very robust grower
that doesn’t like heavy cuts nevertheless. Mostly L,M. Very good for large trees.
Kinsai
Chinsan, Yochio. These are both sports or seedlings of Osakazuki and are used
for L,M,S They are particularly favoured as the leaf is so much smaller and tidier
than the parent. Have been seen to go falsely under the name of Korin—nothing
like it really.
Korin. A star-like pink flower which is similar in shade to the before
mentioned and is highly prized in bonsai. L,M,S
Hakurei. Also a star-like flower but pure white. I have seen this in Melbourne.
A particularly good shohin subject like Korin. L,M,S.
Komei. Small, neat and very variable in colour and pattern. It is available in
Melbourne and one of the best for bonsai culture here in Australia. It grows
vigorously and suitable for L,M,S
Korin
Rukizon. (called Kazan in Japan) This is a small flowered sport of Osakazuki.
It has a spear shaped small leaf and grows quite easily though it needs a little more
sun than some other Satsuki for regular flowering. L,M,S
Nikko, Nyohozan, Shuho no Hikari, Goko, Hikari no Tsukasa. All derive
from Kozan. They have fine leaves and smaller flowers. The internode growth is
quite short making them some of the best for bonsai culture. They are normally
rather slow in growth but also can be pushed quite hard. Used mostly for M,S.
Komei
Hakurin. Small star-like white flowers with pink/purplish segments earmarks this
Korin sport for any collection if you can find it. It is highly suited to bonsai
culture and is grown mostly for M,S.
Kogetsu. Readily available it has bright red and white medium size flowers and
used mainly for L,M.
Hiodoshi. Also readily available, it has vivid red Sokojiro flowers (colour with
white throat). Best for L,M
Kozan
Akemi no Tsuki. A medium size flower but small leaves and very short
Internodes. This is used extensively for Shohin. L,M,S
Bunka. Grown mainly for the beauty of the flowers it is mostly grown tall and
often as Meika style. L,M. (I have seen Shohin of it though. Ed.)
Hinotsukasa, Hakatajiro, Daisetzusan. Strong and almost coarse growers these
Rukizon
are everywhere and good for bonsai culture. L,M…………….see p.4
P4
Akemi no tsuki-Shohin
no6 February 2010
Nikko– medium
Osakazuki-large
Hikari no tsukasa– medium
On the left. Meika– the older style of Satsuki bonsai
More varieties to look for in the next issue.
Copyright© Satsuki Society of Australasia Inc 2010
Hakurin-Shohin