Alena, Congrats on joining the great world of bonsai. I am an amateur as well thus very much in the learning stages. When I have had a bonsai die I try to find out the cause. A couple of years back I lost two beginner juniper bonsai from poor soil choice and too much water. I did save the other two by quickly changing course, as Dan here suggests. Your other one looks great, so keep up the good work. Pauline

Thanks, Mike. I suspected, but, thanks for confirming.

Can I use that T5 in a T8 fixture?

Duncan, How is the Care Calendar coming along?

Where is best place to get rain barrels, Denver metro area? Is it best to get one with pump? Do they come with that option?

Hello, Dan, My trident maples came through unscathed and are in a strong growth cycle, so too the weeping cherries. One cherry and the stewartias didn't make it, but not fault of shipping. The extreme spring temperatures too much of a challenge and the bonsai set-up not the best. That has finally been rectified, and all are flourishing. Are you bringing something for me to bid on at our show's auction? Hope those young boys of your are doing well. Regards, Pauline

Have had same problem with Fed Ex. One bonsai related, one not. Site says package in Aurora but can't be delivered until Friday. Been in transit over a week.

Thanks for the good advice. Will see if they improve what with nice sunny days, well a few here and there. Also, count me in as one willing to volunteer at our show; difinitely will attend

I could be interested. Do you have a time limit?

A very good presentation. Well thought out and executed. Learned a lot. Thanks for the YouTube link, as it is well worth watching again.

A lady out of London, developed a line of make up for older women with quite a large worldwide following. With the virus and the lockdowns she expanded to promoting unusual products, hobbies and other inspirations by older people for older people to host on her YouTube show. She contacted me after learning I had started bonsai a few years back at not a young age; was actually the first USA contact...across the pond...as they term it. That meeting, set up a few months back was today. Showed one of the scheffleras and a parrots beak from my collection. Strictly amateur. Did mention RMBS and stressed the educational section. We will see if I inspired anyone to get involved, although i doubt it would be to RMBS due to logistics. But, Who knows! Will call and stay in touch, weather wise.

Yes, we are in different times without in person exchanges. If you would send a phone number, then I will call to set this up. Getting ready for tomorrow's youtube amateur bonsai enthusiast exchange with hostess out of England.

@Duncan Robertson A quick note, and apologize for late response. Could we please do it next week-end, or if you are free a day this coming week? Excepting Monday and Tuesday as of right now.

Duncan, sorry that's porcelain tiles not ceramic tiles.....

Mike, thanks for clarifying. I can see the ceramic potshards won't work as not flat enough for this purpose. Have put Daconil on my list. Don't like chemicals, but, am learning to adjust for the betterment of this hobby. Duncan, I do have many ceramic tiles left over from an over bought bathroom project. Yours for the taking. I'm about 4 miles outside Parker. For Gardners at Large: item I need to get rid of a 50# feed bag full of twine. Lengths are around 5 feet. Take as much as you want. The gardners who have used them love them to tie up vegetable plants, etc. Also plenty of horse manure....don't laugh. Gardners swear by this usage including a friend who works for a city park and says it doesn't have to compost. And that to start your day😊

Thanks, David for the Word idea and the link to Int'l bonsai's seedling sale. (Very bad on the pocketbook!) Yes, would be nice to have more details about pests and diseases. It seems one conquered, another pops up. In re-reading your remark, Mike, and think it through. Would this be a good place to use old broken pieces of ceramic pots for the root base of seedlings? In the past have used them to cover hole(s) in houseplant pots.

Mike, When you speak of "tile" for seedlings containers are you addressing ceramic/porcelain as in use for kitchens and bath? If not, please describe. Also, wonderful education to read these posts. How do you keep records of all your collection? I've been keeping a journal, but then have a small collection. Got a nice wet snow last evening after so many days 50 and above. Concerned after listening to Bjorn for Chinese lilacs (not bonsai)that had mildew on them last year. treated them with spray, but wasn't successful. Anyone used a lime sulphur fungicide that he mentioned, with success here? Pauline

Duncan, I am reminded the Bayer product is best used outdoors or large open spaces. The other product is Neem's Oil, which appears to be controlling the new batch of scales I mentioned. Would appreciate your passing along your research about scales. Had a very hard time, but did succeed in ridding them from my very old "Queen of the Night" plants (not bonsai) a couple of years ago. Pauline

That is great information about artificial lighting. I am working on setting up a room for tropicals and to over-winter others. In the room there is only a northwest window and an old 2 tube florescent light fixture in ceiling. Thus thought to continue with florescent, but have found bulbs increasingly hard to find as well as a relatively new fixture's ballast went bad. Thus the same findings you experienced. So am converting to Led. Finally with your mentioning The Spider Farmer website, they provide what I need and was trying to find. Thank you so much!

Yes, as to Schefflera. Looks very much like mine. I have two bonsai schefflera as well as a houseplant and two that I have propagated. Beware they are prone to scales, even though mine are isolated, I noticed in the past few days scales have appeared. Bayer has a systemic fertilizer product that does get rid of them; that from my mentor Hal Sasaki. Hope this helps.