Shohin

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the forum (not to the hobby). I used to frequent BonsaiTalk as 007 until it closed down (still dunno what happened, but I liked that place!). Hopefully bonsaichat will be a happy new home for my digital bonsai needs!

So I've recently accepted a position that will be taking me to the Los Angeles area (westside, near the coast). I'm currently in S.E. Michigan and obviously the weather is VERY different.

I'm wondering which tree's that I currently own will fare well there and which I should consider parting with to colleagues in cooler climates.

I have:

Shimpaku's
Tridents
Korean Hornbeam
Japanese Apricot
Black Pine

A bunch of tropicals, but I'm not worried about these . . . I know they'll do fine.

Thanks!

JLDoggett

Most of those should be ok in the L.A. area. The only one I might question is the black pine and its need for a cooler winter.

__________________
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And I further resolve to click on an ad, each time I visit, to help support the site and to be welcoming to lurking guests when you join! After all, you're already here.

Pup

G,day mate Japanese Black pines are grown in Brisbane in Queensland

Australia without any problems and they do not get a winter. As such they have the rainy and the dry seasons mainly.

Just be more diligent for fungus attacks in a humid environment.

Cheers Pup from Western Australia where we grow JBP as well with no cold winters.

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G, day I live in western Australia I have been trying for the last 20+ years with some success to grow Bonsai. I am a perpetual learner and an advanced beginner

M.B.

All of the above should do fine in the Los Angeles area. You're moving to arguably the bonsai capitol of California. There are numerous clubs down there. First thing I would do is find out the closest clubs and attend some meetings to get a feel for the club. Where I live (Sacramento) we have 4 clubs in the area and I find each club has little differences so you should check them out to see which ones are a good fit for you. Or do what I did and join almost all of them.
Check out Golden State bonsai Federation web site. They divided the state into districts and you should be able to find out what district you'll be in and the clubs in those districts. An added bonus on the website is that you can read "the Golden Statements" magazine, on line. Lots of info on shows, bonsai events, ect.
Also the American Bonsai Association (or Society, can't remember which) web site might have nearby club info. I've had a long day at work and a bonsai meeting tonight or I'd look the sites up for you.
Welcome to California!
Mary B.

artyanimal

Shohin,

I lived in L.A. for many years. Oddly enough, it's your tropicals that may react the most. Some types of ficus for instance, don't do so well in "winter" at all. These may even require some extra indoor effort since temps (especially at night) can get a bit low for them. Then again, bird of paradise bloom like crazy when planted year 'round right in the ground. In other words, just watch them carefully at first and yes, consult local clubs or nurseries until you're sure of where you/they stand.

As for the rest, you can plant trees like white birch and blue spruce right in your yard and they grow beautiflully. So, I see no reason why most, if not all of the others you mentioned would not do the same.

Cheers,

Arty

Michel

Hi,

First of all, welcome to our funnyfarm.

And now back on topic:
fact remains, that YOUR trees aren't used to the climate overthere;
This means that they should be given the time to adapt,
and that will probably take at least 1 year; so You better not plan
any "mayor surgery" for the nearby futur.

For the rest,
I suspect most acclimatising problems will occur with the conifers,
but who knows ?

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Greetz,
Michel

Shohin

Thanks everyone for the feedback, I appreciate it.

Yeah, the next year or so is going to be very busy for me so the tree's are going to take a back seat for a while. Before we move, I'm doing all the major work (repotting, trimming, wiring, etc.) as well as purging the collection of tree's that I've lost interest in. The other reality is that I'm going from 1/3rd of an acre yard . . . to an apartment

I had two tree's in the ground that went from 1/2" diameter trunk to over 3". I was just getting ready to chop them and start the next trunk section . . . now they have to be dug and potted until I get another yard . . . which could be years from now

Michel

Hi,

don't worry . . .
we're scheduled to move as well, in the autumn . . .

We 'll go from a 1st floor condo with a huge garage underneath
(same size as the appartment itself: our private warehouse)
and a fairly big garden (156 M²; that's BIG for a city garden)
to a 4th floor penthouse, with only 2 big terraces
(alltogether +-100m²). The storage facility in the new place still
has to be sorted out (probably one of the garage parking spaces),
so . . .

I'll have to downsize seriously as well then, with all my bonsai
and fishing globber, and I'm pretty sure that it 'll hurt !

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Greetz,
Michel

Jland

Shohin, I'm too much of a novice to comment on how your trees will fare the transition, but I think you should take the time to visit the Huntington botanical gardens (located in San Marino) when you get the chance, they have a Japanese garden that is simply stunning, and the bonsai they had on display the last few times I visited were exquisite.

dankone

speaking of Bonsaitalk, what is goin on with that site????? is it going to come back or what???? does anyone know???