During the month of July the candles are cut from Black pines. The reason is to cause the tree to put out new buds to create shorter, and more dense branching.  Otherwise the branch becomes to “leggy” and too long for the tree.

Black pine budding after candles removed

As you can see the new buds are growing out just below where the candles were cut.  In a few months these will be branches so that the process and repeat.  Don’t worry about the brown tips, it’s not needles cast.  It is just a bit of die back after the tips of the needles were cut.  Also the water drips are because of a rainstorm we were having when I took the picture.

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This morning as I looked out my window I noticed a spash of color on my grafted dwarf crepe myrtle. I thought a flower from a nearby bougainvillea had fallen and got caught in its branches. However as I got closer I noticed that a small cluster of flowers had bloomed on the little tree.

Blooms on grafted dwarf crepe myrtle

I suppose it is just giving me a sample of what it will do later this year.  The flowers are very delicate and don’t last long.  However against the grayish bark & dark green leaves the flowers just about leap off the picture.

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The weather today in Orlando was a high in the lower 90′s and sunny.  However in my back yard it has turned Fall for my Trident Maple.  Our growing season lasts for about 9 months here, and in the middle of Summer trees slow down a great deal and practically go dormant.  During that time we are able to defoliate our deciduous trees to gain a second growing season.  In effect, we can get two full growing seasons in one.

Defoliated Trident Maple

If you remember last year I let this tree grow for the entire year without really doing much to it, but you’ll also remember that I had areas along the trunk that failed to produce new branches.  I defoliated it this year for a number of reasons.  First to get a good look at the growth along the trunk.  Second, to let more light in so that branches that are developing can get more sunlight (these branches I left the leaves on).  Third to take advantage of our long growing season. 

New first branch

I had a set back this year as my first (and most important branch dies) however the great news is that a new branch has begun to develop in an even better location.  With the leaves removed this branch can begin to thrive while the rest of the tree grows back its leaves.

New buds

However don’t worry this tree will recover.  When a leaf is pulled off a new one will grow a thrid smaller.  This is good to know for when the tree is ready for show to reduce the leaves.  In the picture above you can see the new leaves ready to grow.  It should only be a few weeks before the tree is once again leafed out.

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Even though my bonsai collection has been greatly reduced over the past few years, I still find it challenging to keep up with it.  At times I am actually overwhelmed with the wiring, pruning, repoting, etc that goes along with bonsai.  However I find no greater satisfaction then when I maintain a tree and get it back under control. 

leggy ficus

Take this tree for example.  I worked very hard to reduce the branches a couple of years ago, however I wanted to give the tree a chance to recover healthwise so I’ve let it grow out.  Problem is now the branches are leggy and too long for the trunk.  I’m thankful it’s a ficus nerafolia.

Trimmed up Ficus

All it takes to regain control of these trees is to cut the branches back, way back.  These trees will break back beyond the green.  This means that when you cut a branch back you don’t need to leave any leaves.  There are trees such as junipers, Brazilian raintrees, boxwoods in which the branch will die if all the leaves are removed.  In the case of the Ficus Nerafolia you don’t have to worry.

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