I recently came across a few different takes on creating a bonsai care calendar and thought a localized version could be a great resource, especially for beginners like me. Please take a look at the links below and let me know what you think.
Would it be beneficial to create something like this for RMBS?
Does something like this already exist?
Is advice localized enough to warrant a new resource, or should we go off what has already been done?
Do you think members would be willing to contribute their knowledge and advice?
Here are some of the examples I came across:
https://www.bonsaiempire.com/basics/bonsai-care/advanced/calendar
https://www.portlandbonsai.org/bonsai-care-calendars-1
http://www.bssf.org/guides/care-calendar/march-care-calendar/
http://www.bonsaicarebasics.com/care-calendar.html
http://thenationalbonsaisociety.co.uk/bonsai_calendar.htm
Note: I'm a graphic designer and I would be happy to create it if we could come to a consensus on what the appropriate content should be.
Duncan,
How is the Care Calendar coming along?
Okay! I got started compiling information over the weekend. Full transparency, I've copied over what the Portland Bonsai Society has as a starting place. At the moment, I have the "Quick Look" and "Detail" tabs going and I plan to get into the "Maintenance Schedule" this evening.
Even as a novice, I can already see some of the date ranges in their recommendations don't align with what I've been told and what I've experienced here in Denver.
It would be a great help if other members could review what I have and either leave notes in the Google doc or here in the forum so I can start adjusting the information to be helpful in our region.
Great! Thanks Mike!
Thinking about it more we could also make it available as a download for iCal/Outlook/etc.. Then, a print version could showcase members' trees and work as a fundraising tool for RMBS.
Duncan,
I don't know of a comprehensive bonsai care calendar for our region (I've seen "fact sheets" that give timing for specific species) for bonsai care/activities. I do think it would be most useful.
I think a calendar that includes indicators of when a tree is ready for specific work would be great. For example, "repot a ponderosa pine when the new buds are starting to swell" or "begin fertilizing a ponderosa pine in refinement when 3rd year needles begin to yellow/drop." These are important because some of our members live at 5,000' in warm areas (e.g. Pueblo) and others live at 8,000'+ and their trees are on very different schedules.
I'd be happy to contribute where I can.
Mike
Thanks Charles!
I'm going to give it a try and see what I can come up with. I'd love to get feedback and input on the contents from other members. So, I'll come back here to share and solicit thoughts.
Hello Duncan,
That would be something useful for a lot of members I would think. The way the Portland Bonsai Society laid out their Calendar looked most helpful to me. Every time we've moved I've had casualties, this spring the last hard freeze came on June 7th for example. Thanks for offering and I hope it works out.