Page 8 - BSAM 2017 Q4

Top left: Ficus microcarpa are tropical plant that require a Plant Hardiness Zone 10 and above.Top right; Japanese 5 needle pine, Pinus parvifora require a cold dormant period making them suitable to Plant Hardiness Zones 5 to 8.Bottom; Global Plant Hardiness Zones 1986 - 2012. Source: NAPPFAST 2012, WGS-GCS-1984, USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST, Raleigh, NC. Contact: D Borchet.(For Plant Hardiness Zones around the world, visit: https://davisla.wordpress.com/plant-zones/ where detailed maps by country can be found.)Information Information begins with an awareness of your environment and includes a general knowledge of botany and art, as well as specifc knowledge of the horticultural needs of bonsai you might obtain and design options that might be applied to them.Environment is the sum of all conditions under which a bonsai grows. Analyzing your environment allows you to more dependably select trees that will thrive under your care. You should be aware of your climate zone, which specifies normal winter low temperatures for relatively large geographical area, but you need to consider many more aspects of the environment in your specifc area, including:• Normal temperature ranges in your local area through the seasons based on elevation, nearness to large bodies of water, etc. Even more local can be the diference in temperature ranges if your growing environment is a balcony on the south side of a high-rise building vs. benches in a grassy backyard nearby.• Sunlight and skylight exposure and changes through the seasons, plus other things that affect overall light intensity such as buildings, trees, fences and hedges• Wind exposure• Average annual or seasonal rainfall Good bonsai health and development is more easily achieved when your local environment closely matches the tree’s native environment. No matter how appealing a tree is, choosing a tree that will not thrive in your environment or will not tolerate bonsai cultivation and design methods nearly always leads to disappointment. Doing research in advance of acquisition – especially seeking advice from local skilled, experienced horticulturists, nurserymen or bonsai growers – is a step toward success.