Page 17 - BSAM 2017 Q1

Newly collected trees should be placed under a plastic dome for extra humidity. However, Tugas cultivated from cuttings do not need to be covered in plastic and can be placed in a shaded area, with minimum sunlight. e appearance of new shoots and leaf growth depends on the maturity of the tree. As a rule of thumb, it takes longer for new shoots to emerge from mature trees with hardened bark and burnt wood. On newly collected stock, it is permissible to remove the plastic when shoots have 6 leaves or more. is is also the time when watering must be done twice a day, combined with applications of slow- release organic fertilizer and foliar spray to encourage both root and leaf growth.
Repotting may be conducted anytime of the year, as long as it is not immediately exposed to full sunlight. To preclude the scorching heat and dehydration, newly repotted material must receive morning sunlight and midday and a ernoon shade, especially in a tropical setting. Once in a bonsai pot and as per our experience, Tugas require the following potting medium: 10% coarse gravel for the drainage layer and a mix of 70% ne river sand with 20% vermicast.
Diseases
Appropriate to the natural conditions of the area where Tugas is endemic, full sunlight and abundant rainwater guarantee their survival. Limited supply of sunlight and rain/water bring forth diseases. Fungus is one of the most common diseases that attack Tugas. Black fungus and root rot thrive due to poor drainage. e visible manifestation comes in belatedly, as it initially attacks the roots, causing necrosis. It then nds its way up the trunk and branches as scaly and slimy matter. At this advanced stage, the tree’s leaves curl up, turning yellowish. Minimal to no shoots sprout. To prevent this scenario, ensuring good drainage is of pivotal importance. As mentioned before, the use of clean river sand mixed with organic compost must be employed. At the rst sign of black fungus, emergency repotting is necessary and a complete change of medium should be done without delay. If the disease has already spread to the trunk and branches, it must be brushed o with water mixed with a little detergent soap. Dead branches and twigs a icted with the fungus should be cut immediately. e use of fungicide must be done cautiously and sparingly. Overuse of fungicide on Tugas may weaken its immune system and recovery may take longer, long a er the decimation of the fungus.
Leaf miners and aphids are among the other pests that might afflict Tugas. These pests are not only unsightly but there large colonies may debilitate a plant over the long run, thus hindering the growth of healthy shoots. Larvae are the leaf miners’ culprit while tropical aphids commonly thrive in wet and humid conditions. At the rst sign of leaf miners and tropical aphids, a ected leaves may be carefully wiped with cotton cloth, but be cautious of not using the same section of the cloth to wipe other leaves and twigs. In
Fungus is one of the most common diseases that attack Tugas. Black fungus and root rot thrive due to poor drainage.
case the infestation of leaf miners and aphids gets out of hand, it is best to defoliate the tree and spray it with insecticide to eliminate any residual disease.
Care for Tugas Bonsai
A good practice for the care of Tugas bonsai is to simply mimic its natural conditions. It is not meant to be an indoor bonsai. It is best to cultivate it in the open,
Top left and right; On
newly collected stock, it is permissible to remove the plastic when shoots have 6 leaves or more.
Middle left and right; Surprising enough, black spots may appear on the leaves of a mature bonsai tree due to over exposure to rain water. In this case, it is considered a good practice to defoliate the tree before the onset of monsoon season.
Bottom; The visible manifestation Black fungus comes in belatedly, as it initially attacks the roots, causing necrosis. It then nds its way up the trunk and branches as scaly and slimy matter.
January/February/March 2017 | BCI | 15