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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MICA POT - Mica BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI pots are always dark brown and are made of 80% mica, 15% polyethylene and 5% graphite.
They are ideal as training pots & for use with larger trees as they are a lot lighter than traditional clay pots and are virtually unBREAKable.
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PALL WALTER (WEB PAGE) - Walter Pall is known worldwide for the quality of his BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI creations. He has received several dozens national and international awards for his beautiful, dramatic bonsai. He has won the most prestigious Crespi Cup Award of Italy for his well known Rocky Mountain Juniper, and has coME in among the top six, every time he has entered. He has also won second and third and other places places in the Gingko Cup Awards of the Belgium bonsai competition held every two years. Walter often is called a walking encyclopedia on bonsai and he shares his knowledge freely. Walter also loves to lead workshops where he sets the main focus on teaching the artistic side of bonsai. In the past years Walter has also established himself as the key moderator for international bonsai conventions. A specialty of Walter are his tree critiques which he calls 'tree inspiration'.
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| Thanks to - Walter Pall for use of the image |
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PALMATE (OF LEAF VEINS) - Describes several primary veins diverging from a single point.
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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PALMATE LEAF - Leaf comprising leaflets or lobes radiating like outstretched fingers from a central point.
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PARATHION - This is a potent INSECTICIDE and ACARICIDE.
It was originally developed by IG Farben in the 1940s. It is highly toxic to non-target organisms, including humans.
Its use is banned or restricted in many countries, and there are proposals to ban it from all use.
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PARVIFOLIUS - Small leaved.
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PEACH LEAF CURL - This disease which causes leaf damage and so weakens the tree, is limited to a few "Prunus" SPECIES (including Hawthorn - a popular BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI species).
Signs are reddish brown blisters on LEAVES which grow bigger and turn white whereupon the leaves distort, discolour and drop off.
The FUNGUS can survive over winter in the BARK and BUD>BUD scales.
TreatMEnt is application of a copper FUNGICIDE spray before bud BREAK and again just before leaf fall.
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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PEAT - Peat is made up of partially decayed plant material, usually in wet areas. It is composed mainly of wetland vegetation: principally bog plants including mosses, sedges and shrubs and has been used extensively as a growing MEdium/soil improver for many years.
The commercial extraction of peat at existing rates is considered by some people to be environmentally unsustainable as it removes peat at a much faster rate than it accumulates leading to the irreversible destruction of peatlands. This premise however has been challenged by a number of sudies. Read More.
Many viable peat alternatives exist which are either completely peat-free or of reduced peat content. However many plants have evolved to grow in a peat environment e.g. AZAlea (Rhododendron) and growers find that growing seeds or CUTTING>CUTTINGs in peat is a necessity.
Peat is often used as a constituent part of a BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI soil mix where an organic component is desired.
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| Thanks to - Growmore for use of the image |
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PECTINATE (LEAF) - Arranged like teeth of a comb e.g. NEEDLEs of the hemlock or yew
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EDA>EDATE(LEAF)>PEDATE (LEAF) - Palmate SHAPEd lobes between heavy indentations. Distinguishable from "Lobed" shape by the sharper, narrower lobes.
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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PELTATE (LEAF) - Leaf SHAPE where the stem emanates from the centre of the leaf surface rather than the edge.
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAIGROUP>PENICUIK BONSAI GROUP - Club :Penicuik.
Address : Penicuik Town Hall,
High Street,
Penicuik,
EH26 8HS.
Convenor - Dave. Tel No - 0131 258 1936.
MEetings - Second Tuesday of the month 7.30pm.
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JING(CHINESE)>PENJING (CHINESE) - Penjing is a Chinese term which MEans roughly the same as BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI (plant in a container). Penjing appears to cover a wide range of styles which developed in China 1,500-2,000 years ago.
During the Chin dynasty (221-206 BC) China and Japan started to make social and spiritual contact when BUD>BUDdhism was introduced into both countries. It appears that many Buddhist priests encouraged the ceremonial use of potted plants as part of religious rituals. The precision and attention to detail that applied to the art form was then developed and improved by Japanese practioners.
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PERFOLIATE (LEAF) - Where the stem appears to penetrate through the leaf and continue on.
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAIGROUP>PERTH BONSAI GROUP - Club : Perth.
Address : North Inch Community Campus,
Gowans Terrace,
Perth,
PH1 5BF.
Convenor : Dave Hynd
Email - dehynd@blueyonder.co.uk
Tel - Tel: 07702 957230
MEetings - First Wednesday of the month (not Dec,Jan).
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI>PETER TEA BONSAI - SHARIng experiences as a Bonsai Artist and Instructor. Located in San Jose, California and working all over the United States.
The purpose of this blog and website is to share soME learnings in Bonsai and to keep in touch with the ever growing bonsai community.
Posted articles include individual Bonsai projects along with helpful tips and techniques for those seeking information in improving their own skills.
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| Thanks to - Peter Tea web site for use of the image |
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PETIOLE>PETIOLE - Leaf stalk that joins the leaf to the branch.
When defoliating a tree it is the petiole that is cut and not the leaf. In this way less moisture is lost through the cut edge.
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PETIOLE>PETIOLE - The stalk of a leaf.
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METER>PH METER - A pH meter is an electronic device used in BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI for measuring the pH level(ACIDity or alkalinity) of potting soils. A pH meter usually consists of a probe connected to an electronic meter that measures and displays the pH reading.
There are many different models, some of which are "dual probed" to allow measurement of temperature also.
The PH level of soil can also be measured using a commercially available chemical kit from most garden centres.
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| Thanks to - eBay for use of the image |
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PH VALUE - (the power of Hydrogen) A MEasure of ACIDity and alkalinity. Below 6.5pH is acid and above 7.3pH is ALKALINE.
Soil pH is important because it influences several soil factors affecting plant growth, such as
(1) soil bacteria,
(2) nutrient LEACHING,
(3) nutrient availability,
(4) toxic elements, and
(5) soil structure.
The associated web link explains in more detail and includes a table of pH values for a range of trees.
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PHLOEM - Also known as "inner BARK" the phloem sits between the bark and the CAMBIUM in the TRUNK OF THE TREE and its purpose is to transport sugars back down the trunk and branches.
See also cambium, XYLEM, and BARK (TREE).
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PHOSPHATES - One of the three major plant nutrients phosphates are responsible for healthy and vigorous ROOTS and also assist in protection against diseases. Chemical symbol P.
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PHOTOSYNTHESIS - The process by which sugars are produced within the LEAVES, using water, carbon dioxide from the air and sunlight.
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Picea SPECIES - Often terMEd Common Spruce or Norway Spruce. Has orange/brown BARK when young which turns to purple/grey when mature. Foliage is dark green, flattened, NEEDLE-like. Often grown in DWARF form (Little Gem/Maxwellii).
STYLE : Suited to all styles except broom.
WARNING : Dense foliage makes spruce particularly prone to red SPIDER MITE and SPRUCE APHID attack.
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PIERNEEF - Flat topped, broom style BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI inspired by natural tree SHAPEs seen in Africa where giraffes in particular can strip foligae from high up the trunk. The form is naMEd after the South African artist, Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, who depicted many of these tree forms in his paintings.
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| Thanks to - Growing Bonsai (RSA) for use of the image |
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PINCH AND GROW - This is the technique (generally attributed to the Chinese) used to style trees which are too brittle, spiky, thorny or fleshy to style easily using wire. Examples include quince, pyracantha or jade. It requires the tree to be SHAPEd by PRUNING and pinching only.
Known to Japanese BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAIST>BONSAISTs as Hasami ZUKURI.
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PINCHING OUT - SoMEtimes referred to as "pinching back". DECIDUOUS, or broad leafed trees, need to have their new SHOOTS pinched out at the growing tips regularly during the spring and summer months in order to encourage back-BUD>BUDding (new buds within the BRANCH STRUCTURE) and branch RAMIFICATION (the structured network of branches supporting foliage).
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| Thanks to - AusBonsaaiWiki for use of the image |
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PINE - MOUNTAIN (PINUS MUGO) - Native to central Europe. Thrives in harsh conditions. BecoMEs "bushy" in better conditions. Has upright NEEDLEs, growing in pairs. BARK is a craggy, dark brown. Has some interesting DWARF varieties (Gnon and Mops).
STYLE : Suited to all styles - except broom. Dwarf varieties particularly suited to "clasped-to-rock" style.
WARNING : Protect from severe frost and freezing winds.
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| Thanks to - Kaizen Bonsai for use of the image |
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PINE - WHITE (PINUS PARVIFLORA/PINUS PENTAPHYLLA) - Also known as Japanese White Pine or Japanese 5 NEEDLE Pine. This CONIFER has purplish BARK with black scales upon which needles grow in cluster of 5 in dense tufts. Foliage colour can vary but generally is bluish green on top and bluish white underneath.
STYLE : Suitable for all styles, except broom, but particularly good for formal and informal upright.
WARNING : Fully HARDY>HARDY but need protection against cold winds and prolonged freezing. Avoid waterlogging.
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PINE BLIGHT - This is a FUNGAL DISEASE that attacks young pines. The signs are that brown spots start to appear on the NEEDLEs in autumn and winter, turning to black diagonal stripes as spring approaches. RecomMEnded treatment is to spray with copper based FUNGICIDE.
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NEEDLECAST>PINE NEEDLE CAST - This appears as yellow patches on the needles accompanied by tiny brown pustules in the middle. The needles turn yellow and fall quite quickly and, if not treated, this can be fatal for the whole tree. The application of copper based FUNGICIDE at regular intervals throughout the sumMEr will clear the infection.
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NEEDLESCALE>PINE NEEDLE SCALE - Small white SCALE INSECT that appears as a white "dot" on pine needles. Small occurences may be removed manually but larger infestations are best treated with horticultural oils.
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| Thanks to - On www.bonsaitonight.com. Posted in Bonsai Development by Jonas Dupuich on November 21, 2014 for use of the image |
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PINNATE - Leaf form describing a situation where each leaf is composed of several smaller leaflets grouped in pairs along a central stalk.
Form may be Even Pinnate where the leaflets are directly opposite one another on each side of the stalk or Odd Pinnate where they are offset (Note : Odd Pinnate also has a single leaflet at the tip of the stalk.
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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PINNATISECT (LEAF) - SHAPE with deep opposite lobing - example would be the English Oak leaf.
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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GENUS)>PINUS (GENUS) - Pinus are the genus of trees which contains Pines in the family Pinaceae.
There are currently 175 naMEd pine varieties with another 30 or 40 which have not yet been properly classified. A list of pines by region is available on Wikipedia.
Pine is one of the most commercially important timber in the world. A fast growing softwood (in a plantation) the timber is used for the likes of internal woodwork in houses or as wood pulp.
Pines generally can be identified by the number of NEEDLEs which grow from the same spot (fascile), the colour of the BUD>BUD (which forms new needles/branches) and the color of the BARK. Needles can be borne in clusters of 1-6 although 2-5 is much more common.
Pines can live from 100-1000 years although there is one aged pine recorded at 5065 years old.
A number of pines are popular in BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI, please click the More Info button to learn more.
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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PISTACHIO (PISTACIA VERA/TEREBINTHUS) - Small, tender, spreading, DECIDUOUSTREE>DECIDUOUS TREE bearing lance-SHAPEd, glossy green, PINNATE LEAVES with dull, green undersides, brown/green FLOWERS in late spring followed by oval, reddish FRUITs.
STYLE : Suitable for informal upright, root-over-rock or CLUMP.
WARNING : Any WIRING should be carried out at the end of the growing season as branches are brittle earlier.
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PITTOSPORUM - Fast growing EVERGREEN plant with attractive foliage which coMEs in several different varieties. Considered best suited for hedging or topiary but can be developed into an attractive BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI. Pittosporum bonsai are rare.
STYLE : Best suited to informal upright.
WARNING : Vulnerable to MILDEW>POWDERY MILDEW and leaf spot. See section on these deseases for treatment.
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PLASTIC POT - Plastic pots are a cheap alternative for trees in developMEnt. Generally lighter and shatterproof plastic pots take a lot of mishandling. They may however fade over time due to UV from the sun. Another inexpensive alternative are MICA POTs
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PLIERS (TYPES) - See JINPLIERS>JIN PLIERS. Ordinary pliers are a reasonable substitute and NEEDLE nosed pliers can also be useful for holding (wire and branch) or tearing a jin.
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MEGRANATE(PUNICAGRANATUM)>POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM) - Classed as semi-DECIDUOUS (requires rest period during winter but does not shut down completely) tree with small bright green, oval/oblong LEAVES and red, pink or white FLOWERS and succulent FRUIT. Its pale grey BARK becomes wrinkled as it matures and trunk becomes sinuous and TWISTED.
STYLE : Any - except formal upright or broom.
WARNING : Flowering is on short SHOOTS from last years wood. Take care not to prune these. Carry out WIRING when shoots are green and pliable, otherwise they can be very brittle.
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PORCH (ROBERT) - BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAIist based in Glasgow area offering a VARIETY of bonsai services - see "RISING SUN BONSAI".
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POT BOUND - Describes a condition where the tree has been left so long that the ROOTS have grown extensively and occupy most of the pot, making the absorption of air, moisture and nutrients difficult. If left, this will damage (and even kill) the tree,
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POT SEALS - A blog showing pot seals from Japanese pots that identifies the potter who created the pot. On a web site that helps identify seals and marks on many Japanese and Chinese pots.
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| Thanks to - Japanese Bonsai Pots.net for use of the image |
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POTASSIUM - One of the three major plant nutrients potassium is responsible for the maturation of the plant and its efficient production of FLOWERS and FRUIT. It also assists in HARDENING OFF the plant and protects it against infection. Chemical symbol : K.
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POTENSAI - Any plant or tree after tiME and dedication that has the potential to become a good BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI. The term was created by Dan Barton in 1970 and is derived from the two words: POTENtial and bonSAI = POTENSAI. In other words it is an alternative term for "material tree".
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI>POTS FOR BONSAI - Run by Gordon Hunt. Looks like on-line only
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BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI>POTTING BONSAI - See REPOTTING.
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| Thanks to - Kenny Middleton for use of the image |
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MESH>POTTING MESH - Fine plastic mesh used to cover DRAINAGE holes in BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI pots. Normally purchased in sheets and cut to size as a cost effective solution but can also be purchased ready made. The mesh is normally held in place over the drainage hole by a short length of bonsai wire bent into a particular SHAPE and passed through the mesh so as to fix it into position.
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POTTING SICKLE - Looks like a knife but with a half hook SHAPE, used for CUTTING>CUTTING around the edge of the pot in pot-bound trees to extract the root ball from their containers.
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MILDEW>POWDERY MILDEW - These fungal spores thrive in damp conditions and appear as white, powdery patches on LEAVES and stems of oak, hawthorn and crab apple in particular. They leach sap, causing the tree to lose vigour. TreatMEnt is via removal of affected SHOOTS, application of FUNGICIDE spray and positioning in areas with good air circulation.
Image by kind permission of RHS.
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| Thanks to - RHS for use of the image |
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PRIVET - (LIGUSTRUM) - HARDY>HARDY, semi-DECIDUOUS shrub with a number of varieties (Sinse : Chinese Privet, Vulgare : Common Privet and Ovalifolium (Oval Leaf Privet). Bears small oval LEAVES (more pointed on common privet) and small white sumMEr blossoms on a "twiggy" BRANCH STRUCTURE.
STYLE : suited to informal upright, slanting, root-over-rock, clasped-to-rock, twin trunk, CLUMPand group styles.
WARNING : Does not like standing water. Ensure well drained.
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| Thanks to - Kaizen Bonsai for use of the image |
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PRIVET - CHINESE (LIGUSTRUN SINSENSIS) - Semi-DECIDUOUS shrub bearing small oval LEAVES (less pointed than on the common privet) and small white sumMEr blossoms, followed by purple/black berries on a "twiggy" BRANCH STRUCTURE.
STYLE : suited to informal upright, slanting, root-over-rock, clasped-to-rock, twin trunk, CLUMPand group styles.
WARNING : Does not like standing water. Ensure well drained.
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| Thanks to - Kaizen Bonsai for use of the image |
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PROPOGATION - The increase of plants by : seed, CUTTING>CUTTING, LAYERING, DIVISION, GRAFT>GRAFTing or tissue culture
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PROSTATE - The growth HABIT of a plant that is inclined to grow along the ground, rather than upright.
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PROVADO - A INSECTICIDE>SYSTEMIC INSECTICIDE to control VINE WEEVIL, Greenfly, Whitefly, Black fly, Scarid fly, Thrips, CATERPILLARS and SCALE INSECTs.
Provides up to 4 months protection.
Suitable for use indoors or out.
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| Thanks to - Bayer website for use of the image |
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PRUNING - In order to develop a BONSAI>BONSAI>BONSAI from an existing plant, branches will need to be pruned in order to establish the overall structure of the tree. This is referred to as the "subtraction" MEthod.
Pruning of established bonsai is also required to remove new SHOOTS and foliage, in order to maintain the overall SHAPE and design of the tree.
Pruning of the trees ROOTS is also required to maintain healthy bonsai (see ROOT PRUNING).
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PSEUDOLARIX AMABILIS - The Pseudolarix is often mistaken for a LARCH (LARIX) but tends to have larger LEAVES. Often also called the GOLDEN LARCH because of its autumn colours which helps lead to the confusion.
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| Thanks to - Wikipedia for use of the image |
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PUBESCENT - Covered with short soft hairs
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PULVINUS - The swelling on the shoot of soME CONIFERs to which the leaf is attached, formed by the basal section of the PETIOLE>PETIOLE.
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PUMICE - This very hard volcanic growing MEdium is not widely used in the UK yet. This product is very light & very free draining yet has the capacity to hold huge amounts of moisture within the structure of the grains. Far better than traditional granite or silica based DRAINAGE mediums, which do not dissipate water well. Neutral in PH with virtually no inherent nutrients.
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| Thanks to - British Bonsai for use of the image |
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PYRACANTHA (FIRETHORN) - Shrub with heavily spiked branches bearing small, oval LEAVES, white FLOWERS in spring/sumMEr and clusters of red/orange/yellow berries in the autumn.
STYLE : Suits informal upright, slanting, cascade, semi-cascade, root-over-rock, clasped-to-rock and CLUMP.
WARNING: Spines are lethal - tips can be trimmed. Branches are stiff and easily broken. Wire and bend when young and thereafter with great care.
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| Thanks to - SBA Image Gallery for use of the image |
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INSECTICIDE>PYRETHROID INSECTICIDE - Pyrethroid insecticides are a special chemical class of active ingredients found in many of the modern insecticides found on store shelves and used by pest manageMEnt professionals. The name pyrethroid means “pyrethrum-like” and refers to the origin of this class of pesticides.
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