Page 61 - BSAM 2015 Q1

turn yellow and later on that part will die. To get rid of such a die back due to the white bug, insecticide spray will be sufficient. The second enemy is a type of small borer that will eat the bark of the tree and bore into the wood underneath. It will make the part of that area dry, so that the die back will happen to the branch. To destroy the borer, we have to brush the bark to peel off the dry dead bark where the insects are hiding. We have to brush insecticide solution on the bark and in the wood underneath. If there is a tiny hole on the wood, inject some insecticide in it.
Thickening Branches and Roots
To get a strong branch, we have to let the branch grow long and freely. At the same time we can remove all the leaves except those in the tip. By doing so, the branch will grow thicker and at the same time the sub-branches will grow. The most important thing is to get thick branches that are proportional to the thickness of the trunk. We can cut off and shorten the branch when the thickness required is achieved. Once the main branches structure is achieved, we can continue the process to build the sub-branches.
Left column, top to bottom;
Cutting off the excessive growth on a new twig.
A cut branch tip before it is pinched.
Pinching the tips of the leaf node.
Wiring the fine twigs.
Separating and arranging the wired twigs like those in a Japanese-style pine bonsai.
Top middle and right; Brushing the bark with insecticide to kill borers. To the right is a photo of small borer than can severe- ly damage the casuarina, cause dieback and even death.
Bottom right; The ramifica- tion of the twigs is almost complete.
April/May/June 2015 | BCI | 59