Avoid This Common Mistake That Can Kill Your Bonsai Tree

Do you know what the most common cause of death for bonsai trees is? Believe it or not, it is improper watering.

Most people think that watering should be the simplest of matters when, in fact, for bonsai trees at least, it is the most important thing that you can do and not do it correctly can kill your tree. In fact, improper watering kills more bonsai's than anything else.

Bonsai trees root in special soil that is rather porous and has quick drainage. For this reason the bonsai must be watered frequently, however, care must be taken to not overwater as standing water can cause fungus to grow and contribute to root rot.

Here's some steps that you can take to avoid under watering or over watering your bonsai:

In order to determine if your bonsai needs water or not you must test the soil to see how moist it is. Touch the top of the soil with your finger and if it feels dry dig a little deeper to see how far the dryness extends. If you want a more precise method you can buy a moisture gauge which takes into the soil and will tell you what watering is needed.

It's a good practice to set the container you're bonsai is in into a buck of water so that water can be soaked up from the bottom about once every four weeks. let the water soak in for 20 minutes or so and then remove the pot. Be sure to always lift by the container and never by the trunk of the tree.

Your container should have a drainage hole in the bottom and a tray underneath to catch the excess water. If you find water pooling in the tray for too long you might want to make sure to remove the water so that it doesn't collect from the roots causing rot and contributing to the buildup of mold.

When the bonsai is growing during the spring and summer you want to water daily making sure that water flows through the entire container and out the bottom but not so much that it is standing in water. You may actually have to water more than once a day depending on the soil in your climate as well as the species of tree. In the fall and winter when growth has slowed you will not need to water so much.

Some types of bonsai like flowering and deciduous trees need more water and other types such as conifers need a bit less. You'll need to experiment to find out what the right amount of water for your bonsai is. Be on the lookout for wilting flowers and curled leaves which can indicate lack of water and adjust accordingly. 

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About the Author

Lee Dobbins writes for http://bonsai.garden-corner.com where you can learn more about bonsai trees.

Willow Tree Figurines - Hand Carved Sculptures With A Religious Theme

Willow Tree figurines are the perfect gift for someone who is suffering in some way. These figurines are hand sculpted and are designed to comfort and heal by bringing out emotions with each and every figurine. One of the Willow Tree figurines is called Generations and features a mother and father looking down on a baby. Although it is in the style of the Holy Family, this Willow Tree figurine also invokes memories of your own family. Willow Tree figurines are also perfect gifts for special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and births.

For the student or teacher, what would be a better gift than a Willow Tree figurine featuring a person reading a book. Entitled "Love of Learning", it brings the message of open books - open minds to the recipient. Other Willow Tree figurines include Birthday Girl, Hope, Friendship, Hero and Two Alike. The Promise figurine from Willow Tree features a man and woman dancing, as in the first dance at a wedding. This particular figurine is 9 inches high, but most of the figurines are only half that at 4.5 inches in height.

When you log onto the Willow Tree website to shop for Willow Tree figurines, you can shop by occasion, season, brand or new items added to the catalog. The selection of figurines that Willow Tree offers is quite large and the prices are reasonable. The idea behind the Willow Tree products is that the figurine is intended to communicate beyond words. It is supposed to be personal and allows the recipient to decide what the meaning behind the figurine is. 

Willow Tree has been in business for 40 years. It is part of the Catholic Supply Inc. of St. Louis. It is owned and operated by a Catholic family that serves many parishes in and around the area. Willow Tree figurines are one of the brand names of products offered by this company. In addition to buying a Willow Tree figurine, you can also purchase angels, keepsake boxes, nativity scenes, ornaments and plaques.

Willow Tree figurines hope to bring a message of peace and hope to all who buy and receive them. They enrich the recipient with warm and sympathetic thoughts. The love of people is embodied into each and every Willow Tree figurine with the hand sculpting. Willow Tree figurines are meant to enhance the d?cor of any room in the home and make ideal gifts at any time of the year. 

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Find out more about Figurines visit Peter's Website Angelic Figurines at http://www.angelicfigurines.com/ and find out about Crystal Figurines and more, including 

Shaping Your Bonsai - Wiring and Anchoring Techniques

An important part of the art of Bonsai is guiding the tree into the desired shape. If you follow the traditional Japanese style of Bonsai you will try to create a tree like one that can be found in nature, but you may exaggerate some of the elements for style purposes.

You will have to know what you want your tree to look like before you can start shaping it. You should be able create an image in your mind of exactly how you want your tree to appear. Once you have decided on the style and shape there are several methods used to guide your bonsai into the shape you desire.

Two very common and basic methods of shaping the tree are wiring and anchoring.

Wiring

When you wire a tree you use a metal wire to hold a section of the tree into the shape that you want. Wiring has the advantage of training the tree to the desired shape quicker than most other methods.

Since it is softer aluminum wire is used to wire most branches. When using aluminum wire you will need to use a thicker wire to hold the branch in place. The thicker wire is less likely to cut into the bark, which greatly reduces the risk of scarring. When training heavier branches or changing the shape of the trunk a stronger wire will be needed. In this case you will probably need to use copper or even steel wire.

To wire a branch you simply wrap the branch with wire and then gently bend it into the position that you want. You leave the wire in place to hold the branch until it is capable of holding that shape unassisted. Once you wire a branch you will need to watch it closely to be sure that the branch has not thickened to the point that the wire is cutting into the bark. You need to be especially vigilant with deciduous trees because they tend to thicken in spurts.

You should always start your wire on thicker branches and work your way up to the thinner ones. 

Your wiring job will be more stable if you use one wire to wire two branches.

If you notice your wire getting tight remove it to avoid scarring. If the branch still will not stay in position you can re-wrap it to accommodate its new size.

Anchoring

Frequently a branch that is several years old will be too thick, in this case wiring the branch will not be very effective. For branches like this anchoring will probably work better. Anchoring works by pulling the branch into the position you want and keeping it there.

You start by looping a wire or string over the branch you want to anchor. Any place that the string or wire touches the tree you will need to protect the bark by covering the wire or string with a soft rubber tube. The other end is secured to the container or another branch to hold the limb in the position you want. If you secure it to another branch be sure to use the protective tubing on this end as well, you also need to be sure that you do not pull the anchor limb out of it's position. 

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Steve Welker Owner & Operator of http://www.bonsai-trees.biz

The 10 Christmas Decoration Tips You Must Know

Decorating for Christmas is one of the best things about the holidays. The twinkling of lights, the sight of a perfectly trimmed tree and a perfectly placed wreath adorning your front door are all gentle reminders of the joyous Christmas season.

When decorating your home, you want the d?cor to reflect your own personal style while keeping the Christmas tradition always present. A few tips can help make this holiday decorating season even brighter.

Christmas Decoration Tip #1: Lights Out

With each year that passes, Christmas lights tend to burn out at some point. Unless you have a strand that burns with the exception of the troublesome light, it can be a real headache to find the faulty bulb. Consider investing in a light tester, which will check each individual light and detect the one that needs replacing. These can be found with the Christmas supplies at most department stores.

Christmas Decoration Tip #2: Angels Nearby

Whenever possible, decorate your home with angels. They add a touch of peace and tranquility to your home and we all need to know that there are angels watching over us. 

Christmas Decoration Tip #3: Be fruity

Prepare a fruit-filled clear glass bowl as a centerpiece for your dining room table. Nothing smells like Christmas as much as an orange or a nice fruit combination. 

Decoration Tip #4: Add a personal touch

If you hang Christmas stockings, consider personalizing them with your name, your spouses name and those of your children. These days, even pets have stockings, so don't forget to add Fido's name on a stocking. You can easily personalize a traditional stocking using a glitter pen, preferably one that writes in silver or gold. A personalized stocking is a nice idea and a special added touch.

Christmas Decoration Tip #5: Pucker up

Decorate your home with poinsettia and mistletoe, which are both holiday traditions. A nice artificial poinsettia plant will always be beautiful and is easy to take care of - no water required. A mistletoe is always a nice touch and especially if you just need one more reason to smooch.

Christmas Decoration Tip #6: Working with wreaths

.Don't forget to place a beautiful green wreath on the front door of your home. Make sure to add a red bow for a brightening touch! Artificial wreaths will last year after year, but real wreaths do have a wonderful scent. If you want to add wreath's to the windows in your home, consider purchasing a magnetic wreath hanger. This type of hanger comes in two parts - one goes on the inside of your home and the piece with the hook will go on the outside. These hangers have been around for years, but they are steadily beginning to gain in popularity. The magnets are so strong that they can work through doors and windows, which is ideal for hanging wreaths on the outside of your home without the fuss of a traditional plastic wreath hanger, which drapes across the top of your door.

Christmas Decoration Tip #7: A perfect fit

When choosing a Christmas tree, make sure to measure the preferred location from side to side and from floor to roof. You will want to make sure that perfect tree fits when you bring it home. Artificial trees are easy care, but a real tree requires plenty of water.

Christmas Decoration Tip #8: It's all about tradition

It's nice to start a family tradition by decorating your tree on a certain day each year. Perhaps after Thanksgiving dinner, the whole family can spend the evening dressing their home for Santa.

Christmas Decoration Tip #9: Shop smart

Make sure that all electric decorations are UL listed to ensure that they have been tested for quality and safety. Don't forget to unplug everything before you leave home or go to bed at night.

Christmas Decoration Tip #10: Say Cheese

Always remember to have plenty of film and batteries for the camera. Now that you have the perfect decorations, don't forget to capture them on film. 

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For more great Christmas decoration related resources check out http://decorations.christmashub.com

Christmas Tree- How To Choose The Right One

The selection and purchase of a Christmas tree is an annual tradition for most families. Today, selecting the perfect tree is one of the highlights of many families' pre-holiday preparations. There are many types of trees used as Christmas trees, some of the different types are, the Douglas fir, Scotch Pine, Blue Spruce, The North Carolina Fraser Fir to The Noble Fir.

The selection of your tree will depend on a number of factors such as your budget and the size of the space you will be hosting your tree in. For a house a tree of about 6 feet is ideal, for a small size apartment or office a tree of about 4 feet is adequate. How you decorate your Christmas tree is a matter of budget and personal taste. However; the purchase of your Douglas Fir or Scotch Pine or Blue Spruce kicks off your yuletide festivities in earnest. For many people, decorating the Christmas tree is a favorite part of the holiday season. In fact, the Christmas tree is one of the most recognizable images of the season.

The person more commonly credited with bedecking the first Christmas tree is Martin Luther (1483-1546). The tradition to decorate the Christmas tree is about 500 years old. A Christmas tree is considered mature and ready for harvest when it reaches 6 to 7 feet, the most popular height desired by consumers. The more visible and less expensive cut Christmas tree is the Douglas fir. The most popular Christmas tree is Scotch pine. When a Christmas tree is cut, over half of its weight is water this should signal the necessity of getting your tree home quickly and erecting it in a suitable stand. To prevent a fire hazard later fill the stand with water even if you are not ready to decorate the tree. Remember that you will most likely be putting color lights on your tree which is a source of heat and can ignite a fire with the dried needles.

Decorating the tree (trimming the tree) is as individual as each family, further each member of the family will have their ideas of what should go to make up the look of the final trimmings. Some people like the traditional star at the top of the tree others like other things at the top just for variety. Again the body of the tree can be festooned with anything from handmade ornaments to high priced Christmas items bought in the store. Remember this is a time of celebration, joy and togetherness of friends and family. Compromise is one of the keys to keeping the mood light, festive and in the spirit of goodwill to all.

What ever you buy some time needs to be spent learning which species you prefer, The Douglas Fir, The Scotch Pine, The Blue Spruce or another kind. Obviously your final choice will be determined by your budget and the size of your hosting space. The Christmas tree is a symbol of a living Yuletide spirit and brings into our lives a pleasant aroma of the forest. Like many other Christmas traditions, the universally-popular Christmas tree is derived from a fusion of Christian ideas with the older pagan traditions. Whatever its origin the Christmas tree has added much joy and pleasure to the festive tradition over the years. 

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Philip McDonald maintains http://christmas-alert.blogspot.com/

Christmas Tree Romance

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Christmas Tree Selection Guide

Before you select the perfect Christmas tree, consider a little planning to make room for your special guest. Choose the best area in your room for the tree, which would include a spot that is close to an electrical outlet. When you plug in your lights, you won't want a cord running along your floor, which could cause someone to trip and fall. There are so many things to think about when choosing a tree to celebrate your holidays. Do I want real or artificial? Should I buy pre-lit or plain? A few knowledgeable tips will guide you in the right direction.

Christmas Tree Tip #1: Artificial or Real

The first step is to decide whether you want a real or artificial tree. An artificial tree is beneficial to anyone who has allergies, but also if you just want to know that your tree will last for years. Artificial trees are nice because they do not have to be thrown out every year and they are always the same size and a perfect fit. On the other hand, there's nothing like the smell of a real Christmas tree. With real trees, there is a greater risk of fire and also the need to keep them hydrated regularly. A real Christmas tree requires a lot of maintenance and, if you're not up to it, an artificial may be the way to go.

Christmas Tree Tip #2: Will It Fit?

When selecting the perfect Christmas tree, choose one that will fit best in your home. Measure the spot for your tree before you go out shopping and keep those numbers close at hand. After you select an area in your home, measure the distance from your floor to the roof, along with the width of the space. Take a tape measure when you go to pick out your tree and make sure it will fit in the spot you chose.

Christmas Tree Tip #3: Is It Healthy?

If you're looking for a live tree, check the limbs to make sure they are nice and green. Also, look for any brown needles, which may be a sign of a tree that has not been freshly cut. A tree that is too dry could be a fire hazard, so watch out for any signs of needle loss or other symptoms of a damaged tree. You will want to choose one that looks healthy and full with beautiful branches, which will look festive when decorated. If you're planning to load the tree onto your car, place a protective sheet down on the top before adding the tree. This will protect your car from scratches, or sap, on the way home. Make sure that you choose a strong rope to secure the tree to your car.

Christmas Tree Tip #4: Picking the Right Color

If you are buying a real tree, they only come in one color. But, if you are buying an artificial tree, you have the alternate option of white. While white Christmas trees are not as traditional as the green, there is something to be said for their beauty. Consider a white tree with blue lights, blue ornaments and white garland. A white Christmas tree is classic and stunning, especially with the right combination of decorations.

Christmas Tree Tip #5: Prelit or Plain? 

Another advantage to artificial trees is that they are available in pre-lit designs. This saves decorating time and ensures that the lights are always perfectly spaced. Additionally, if you don't feel up to wrapping the lights around the tree yourself, a pre-lit tree allows you to enjoy the beauty of Christmas without the work of decorating. 

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About the Author

For more great Christmas tree and Christmas lights resources check out http://trees.christmashub.com and http://lights.christmashub.com