Welcome to the A to Z of Bonsai.
We are compiling a worldwide A to Z of Bonsai database. The A to Z is written collaboratively by the people who use it and we would like to encourage anyone reading this page to contribute to what has become the worlds greatest encyclopedia of bonsai terms. Entries when they are made will be added to an editable list which will be checked prior to publication. Photos and images of the bonsai term can be added and links made to relevant web pages.
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI_CROWN>CROWN - The branches at the top of the tree that defines the SHAPE of the tree.
See also: Tree APEX
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CALCICOLE - A tree which will not thrive in ACID soil.
A tree which will thrive in acid soils is known as a CALCIFUGE.
See also CALCIPHOBE.
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CALCIFUGE - A tree which will not thrive in ALKALINE soil. These plants are also described as ericaceous.
These plants require an amount of iron in their diet which is present in less quantity in alkaline soil, consequently, calcifuges grown on alkaline soils often develop the symptoms of iron deficiency as can be seen for example by the yellowing of LEAVES of AZAlea (Rhododendron). Many BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI growers add SEQUESTERED IRON to the soils of calcifuge plants.
A plant that thrives in liME-rich alkaline soils is known as a calcicole or CALCIPHOBE.
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CALCINED CLAY - This is a form of earth baked into hard granules which allow good water absorption without a BREAKdown in soil structure.
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CALCIPHOBE - A plant not suited by calcareous soil, that tends to avoid calcareous soils, that grows best in ACID soil.
A tree which will thrive in acid soils is known as a CALCIFUGE.
See also CALCICOLE.
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAISOCIETY>CALEDONIAN BONSAI SOCIETY - For information of club MEetings, venues and times,
Contact -Telephone Roger on:07944 518617
Lochgelly Meetings are held at the
Salvation Army hall,
Auchterderran Rd,
Loghgelly.
Cupar Meetings are held at:
Cupar YMCA,
Bonnygate,
Cupar.
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| Thanks to - Caledonian Bonsai for use of the image |
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CALLOUS>CALLOUS - The raised roll of BARK tissue that forms on the side of a wound to the tree.
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| Thanks to - AusBonsaiWiki for use of the image |
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CALLOUS>CALLOUS - The raised roll of tissue that forms as a wound heals and closes.
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CAMBIUM - Located between the XYLEM and the PHLOEM, the cambium in the BARK(TREE)>BARK (TREE) is the green material which shows if a twig is scratched.
During the growing season the cambium CELLs constantly divide, producing new xylem on the inside and new phloem on the outside. This process creates the ANNUAL RINGs inside the TRUNK OF THE TREE.
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| Thanks to - englishdictionaryfree.com for use of the image |
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CaMEllia Oil - Use to protect tools, clean and polish pots and clean away pine sap.
A traditional and organic way to to protect tools which come into contact with live tissue on a BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI tree. Is also used to give a shine and polish to BONSAI POTs before the go onto a bonsai show display area.
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| Thanks to - British Bonsai for use of the image |
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CamMEllia (Camellia) - Three main varieties : Japonica (Common Camellia): Shiny, oval, dark green LEAVES with red/white/pink FLOWERS March to May. Reticulata: Long, narrow dark green leaves and big, funnel SHAPEd pink/red/purple unscented flowers with 15-20 petals. Sasanqua : Drooping HABIT with lighter green, small, oblong, blunt-ended leaves with white/pink scented flowers with 6-8 petals.
STYLE : suited to every style, except formal upright and broom.
WARNING : Branches are brittle so protect with RAFFIA. Do not leave wire on the tree for more than a month or two.
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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CANDLES - This is the term used to describe pine BUD>BUDs which gradually elongate and then split into the pine NEEDLEs which form the tree foliage.
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| Thanks to - bonsaitonight blog for use of the image |
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CANKER - A FUNGAL DISEASE contracted when the airborne spores enter damaged tissue causing swelling and discolouration. This swelling spreads and in most cases eventually surrounds the branch , killing it in the process.
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CANOPY - All of the uppermost branches that make up the top of the tree.
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CAPILLARY ACTION - The action of liquid being drawn up a fine tube or through miniature pore spaces due to the effect of surface tension.
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CAPTAN - A microfine, wettable powder used in water as a spray to control certain FUNGAL DISEASEs in FRUIT and ornaMEntal trees.
Captan has been cited as a probable human carcinogen by the US authorities.
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAISOCIETY>CARDIFF BONSAI SOCIETY - CELLspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left">
| Cardiff Bonsai Society |
| CARDIFF, SOUTH WALES |
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NaME:
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Anne Campbell
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email:
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mail@observatorybonsai.co.uk
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Tel No:
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02920 484892
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Venue:
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Bethel Church Hall, Whitchurch, Cardiff
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Day:
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3rd. Wednesday
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Carnose ROOTS - Fleshy roots such as found on a Yew (TAXUS BACCATA).
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CARVING TOOLS - HAND - Any tools suitable for wood carving. Specialist designs are available but adaption of other general tools like chisels or even a Swiss Army knife are useful alternatives.
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| Thanks to - Kaizen Bonsai for use of the image |
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CARVING TOOLS - POWER - There are a whole range of power tools to assist with BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI ranging from the small hobby tools (as shown here) such as the DreMEl, to more powerful and sophisticated tools. These are accompanied by a large array of carving bits tailored to different carving techniques/requirements.
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| Thanks to - Kaizen Bonsai for use of the image |
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CASCADE POT - Designed specifically for use with cascade style trees which are grown in a downwards direction.
They can be a VARIETY of SHAPEs (square, round, hexagonal) but are generally quite tall and slim.
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| Thanks to - Unknown for use of the image |
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CATERPILLARS - Caterpillars are butterfly or moth larvae which weaken the tree by feeding on tissue. These pests can do a significant amount of damage to the LEAVES of a tree if not effectively controlled.
Generally, the easiest MEthod is to pick them off by hand and destroy them or alternativelty the application of a contact spray can also be effective.
There are several different types of larvae which are listed separatly under : BOMBYCOID MOTHs, goat/LEOPARD MOTH, leaf-roller, LEAF MINER, GEOMETER MOTH, and SMALL ERMINE MOTHs
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| Thanks to - Wickipedia for use of the image |
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CATKIN - String of single sex FLOWERS, without petals, often pendulous: found on trees such as alder, birch and willow.
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| Thanks to - Wickipedia for use of the image |
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CATRINE POTTERY - Artist Peter Kleboe is a long tiME Catrine resident. A member of The Glasgow Group of artists his striking paintings and pottery are much sought after both locally and internationally.
No website available but can be contacted at :
email: peterkleboe@hotmail.co.uk.
Tel : 01290552596
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| Thanks to - Catrine Pottery for use of the image |
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CEDA>EDAr (Cedrus) - EVERGREEN CONIFER with 5 common variants used in BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI: Blue (glauca), Atlas (atlantica), Cyprus (brevifolia, Lebanon (libani) and Indian (deodara). Distinguishable by softer, droopier NEEDLEs.
STYLE : Best in formal/informal uprights, groups and twin trunk, but deodora and atlantica can make striking semi-cascades.
WARNING : Protect from extreME temperatures.
Picture is : "With the permission of the TRUSTees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew"
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| Thanks to - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for use of the image |
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CEDA>EDAr - Japanese (CryptoMEria japonica) - Very tall EVERGREEN native to Japan distinguished by red-brown string BARK and blue-green foliage which changes to a bronze/brown tint in winter.
STYLE : Best in formal/informal uprights, groups and twin trunk.
WARNING : Clean out old foliage, spray DAI>DAIly with cold water and monthly with INSECTICIDE to prevent red SPIDER MITE infestation which can cause DIE-BACK.
Picture shown : "With the permission of the TRUSTees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew"
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| Thanks to - Royal Botanic Gardens Kew for use of the image |
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CELL - The basic usint of all plant tissue consisting of a nucleus embedded in protoplasm and cell sap which is in turn surrounded by the MEmbranous cell wall. Plant growth is caused by the DIVISION of cells at the growing points. There are thousands of different kinds of cells , each modified to perform a specific function and each unique to its own SPECIES.
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI>CELTIC KNOT BONSAI - A Bonsai display group. Contact via website only.
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CHAFER BEETLE - The cockchafer (3cms long) and garden chafer (15mm) feed on LEAVES during May/June and should be treated with INSECTICIDE. The soil living grubs of these beetles can seriously damage ROOTS.
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI>CHALK BONSAI - Bonsai of mostly native trees in southern England.
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CHAMAECYPARIS OBTUSA - See Hinoki Cypress
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| Thanks to - SBA Image GAllery for use of the image |
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CHANNELLED (LEAF) - Describing a leaf whose margins curl up at the edges forming a channel.
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CHARCOAL - Charcoal is a porous form of organic matter primARILy composed of carbon. It is used as a soil conditioner to improve soil DRAINAGE. (See also "BIOCHAR").
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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CHERRY - FLOWERING (PRUNUS SERRULATA) - OrnaMEntal tree with small oval, pointed, serrated edged LEAVES and spectacular pink/white blossoms. which unfortunately last only a few weeks in spring.
STYLE : suited to every style, except broom.
WARNING : Do not water blossom to avoid damaging the petals.
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| Thanks to - British Bonsai for use of the image |
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAISOCIETY>CHESHIRE BONSAI SOCIETY - A Bonsai Society in Cheshire, established 1987. Approximatly 40 MEmbers with a complete mixture of ages, rangeing from beginners through to experienced growers
Meet on the 3rd Monday of the month (except December) at the Village Hall in Little BUD>BUDworth near Tarporley. Meetings start at 7:30pm and usually finish around 10pm.
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| Thanks to - Cheshire Bonsai Society web page for use of the image |
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CHESHUNT COMPOUND - A FUNGICIDE, which soME consider as an organic treatment but which is now withdrawn in the U.K because of its high copper content (although can still be found on some websites). Used to protect seedlings from fungal attack.
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| Thanks to - EBay for use of the image |
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CHIMAERA - Tree style with a straight upright trunk, known as a “formal upright” style. The ideal CHOKKAN will have a perfectly straight trunk with uniform TAPER and BRANCH STRUCTURE and an overall concise SHAPE. The ROOTS should also spread evenly around the base.
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CHINA MIST - A small family business established 1987, run by Alan Harriman & Steve Kitchman, producing high quality, handmade BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI dishes, with the trade naME of "China Mist". Sells online.
Located at :
BONSAI POTtery
58 Station Street
MISTERton
Nr Doncaster
DN10 4DE
Tel/Fax: 01427 890434
Email: alan.harriman1@btinternet.com
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CHINENSIS - Of Chinese origin e.g. as in Juniperus Chinensis
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BERRY(CELTISSINENSIS)>CHINESE HACKBERRY (CELTIS SINENSIS) - Japanese naME ENOKI. This is a small DECIDUOUSTREE>DECIDUOUS TREE bearing shiny oval LEAVES and small bright orange FRUITs, which can be grown as indoor or outdoor tree.
STYLE : Well structurd branches and a fine tracey of twigs make this ideal for broom style.
WARNING : Must have a DORMANTPERIOD>DORMANT PERIOD during winter or will die before spring. If kept indoors then move to a sheltered outdoor position for winter.
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BERRY(CELTISSINENSIS)>CHINESE HACKBERRY (CELTIS SINENSIS) - Small DECIDUOUSTREE>DECIDUOUS TREE with shiny oval LEAVES and small bright orange FRUITs.
This plant is fully HARDY>HARDY but often sold as indoor where it will thrive if a dormancy period can be engineered.
STYLE : Best suited to formal/informal upright, slanting, semi-cascade, broom, root-over-rock, clasped to rock, twin trunk, CLUMP, or multiple trunk.
WARNING : Needs a DORMANTPERIOD>DORMANT PERIOD when kept indoors, otherwise tree will becoME exhausted.
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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Chinese Jade (Crassula OVATA) - Also known as Jade or Money tree. Succulent plant, originating from South Africa, with rounded to pear-SHAPEd grey/green LEAVES which soMEtimes are edged with a red tinge.
STYLE : Best suited to informal upright or CLUMP.
WARNING : If leaves begin to wrinkle then soil is too dry.
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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CHIU - Tree size sub-category in the "MEdium BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI" range, measuring 41 to 91 cms. Referred to in Japan as a "2 Handed " bonsai indicating the number of men required to handle one.
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CHLOROPHYLL - Green pigMEnt in LEAVES which allows plants to absorb energy from light.
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CHLOROSIS - Also known as jaundice, this is caused by a lack of iron leading to yellowing LEAVES while the leaf veins stay green. It should be treated by WATERING with SEQUESTERED IRON.
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CHOKKAN - FORMAL UPRIGHT STYLE with a straight trunk and regular positioning of side branches.
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CHOKKON - The main root of a tree that grows straight down from the trunk. correlates to "tap root" in English. (Note : not to be confused with "CHOKKAN" which is the term used to describe the FORMAL UPRIGHT STYLE.
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CHOPSTICKS - Used during re-potting to ensure that soil is compacted around the ROOTS and all cavities filled. Bare unpainted wood is best.
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ChromosoMEs - The minute rod-like bodies within the nucleus of a CELL , which carry the genetic information and control of the hereditary characteristics.
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CHUHIN - Tree size sub-CLASSIFICATION within the "MEdium" BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI range, measuring 40-60 cms.
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CHUMONO - Tree size sub-CLASSIFICATION in the "MEdium BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI" range, measuring between 41 and 91 cms. Also referred to in Japan as a "2 Handed" tree indicating the number of men required to move one.
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CILIATE (LEAF) - Term used to describe a leaf fringed with hairs.
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CLADODE (LEAF) - A flattened leaf-like stalk containing CHLOROPHYLL which performs the function of a leaf, as in Butchers Broom(Ruscus) or common Broom ( Cytisus).
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CLAMPS - Branch bending clamps are specifically designed to enable thicker branches to be bent when even the thickest wire will not do the job. Also terMEd BRANCH BENDING JACKs.
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CLASSIFICATION - The internationally recognised system of classifying plants. Latin naMEs are used as many plants dio not have common names. All plants are grouped according to : 1. Family, 2. GENUS, 3. SPECIES and 4. VARIETY.
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Cleft GRAFT>GRAFTing - This involves inserting a small (3-5 cms) split in the end of a branch and the insertion of a SCION from elsewhere on the saME plant (or from another tree of the same SPECIES). The base of the scion should be "double chamfered" before insertion and then the join should be bound with RAFFIA and smeared with grafting wax.
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CLIP AND GROW - Also terMEd the LING NAM method "clip and grow" is the term used to describe the BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI styling proces where the approach is to allow growth to occur before PRUNING back to a BUD>BUD facing the direction in which you wish it to grow.
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CLONE - Identical plants from a single parent and reproduced vegetatively . All Lombardy Poplars are male clones and therefore all offspring of one original male parent.
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CLUMP - See Sprout Style. Also known as BUD>BUDACHI>KABUDACHI or MIYAMA KIRISHIMA
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| Thanks to - Peter Thorne for use of the image |
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CLUSTERED STYLE - Clustered group with multiple trunks springing from one tree. In Japanese : Tsukami-yose.
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COILED STYLE - With a spiralled trunk. In Japanese : BANKAN.
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COIR BRUSH - Small brush made of bound-together coco fibres, used for delicate cleaning of soil/moss surfaces
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| Thanks to - Kaizen Bonsai for use of the image |
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COLLAR - The point where the BARK thickens when a branch eMErges from the trunk or from a thicker branch. If this collar is left intact when PRUNING it will attempt to prevent DIE-BACK and disease of the exposed tissue. However, in BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI this generally causes unsightly SNAGs and swellings.
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COLUMNAR - Descibes a tree which is tall and narrow with straight, more-or-less parallel sides.
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COMPOST - MEdium derived from rotted vegetable matter, in which BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI or other plants are grown, often in combination with other matter (e.g. GRIT, sand, LOAM etc).
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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COMPOUND LEAF - A leaf consisting of two or more leaflets.
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