Page 18 - BSAM 2017 Q1

Top left; Bonsai artists from north and south Philippines working together on a Tugas. Some of the best tugas yamadori are exported to Luzon (northern Philippines)— an opportunity for bonsai artists in the Philippines to work together.
Top right; Tugas workshop by Herden Pedrajas and company during the ABFF 2013 in Manila.
Middle left; A Tugas forest, 179 cm, created by Oscar Urdelas and friends.
Middle right; Tugas, 91cm, by Ritzie Bugante.
Bottom; Tugas, Vitex trifolia, 67 cm by Jun Cero.
It is not recommended for a Tugas tree to remain indoors for a period longer than ve days.
with full sun and abundant watering, particularly during the dry season. On a precise note, this fervent need for water was evident during El Niño. Yellowing of leaves and wilting of new shoots are telltale signs that Tugas Bonsai is screaming for water. Curled and shrunken leaves are also a gauge for watering, but are an indicator that it is a good time to defoliate the tree to produce smaller leaves and closer internodes. 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. One of the many advantages of Tugas is to diagnose the inception of disease and nutrient de ciency as it is usually manifested by its leaves. As usual, there are occasions when it is necessary to bring the bonsai indoors, such as exhibits and competitions. It is not recommended for a Tugas tree to remain indoors for a period longer than ve days. A er the event and to avoid further stress, the tree should remain in partial shade for two to three days before it is exposed to full sun. e occasional application of organic-balanced elements fertilizer (14-14-14) is rewarded with robust branches and twigs, evident by new growth shooting all over tree and the emergence of healthy roots. Lack of water, poor soil nutrition and poor sunlight are main culprits behind disease, twig and branch die back. Please deny any and all reasons for the tree not to be healthy!
16 | BCI | January/February/March 2017