Bonsai in Isolated Areas and Harsh Climates
Growing Bonsai in the Hot Arid Regions
of Central India -- Our Experience
by Nikunj and Jyoti Parekh
Over the years while traveling across India, we have found varying environments and climates throughout India. During the summer, temperatures in central India soar to 100 to 115°F (45 to 48°C). These temperatures make growing bonsai a Herculean task for the hobbyist, but some students have found success by using a few simple methods. While the first seven examples listed below are inexpensive, the methods outlined in examples eight through 10 are more costly.
1. Arrange the bonsai nursery under a large, ground-grown shade tree;
2. Cover the bonsai soil surface with sun-dried grass (without any grass seeds);
3. Alternatively, pin spaghnum moss onto the bonsai pot's soil surface;
4. Grow hardy ground covers on the bonsai pot's soil surface;
5. Water and mist the bonsai twice daily;
6. Grow drought-resistant varieties of lawn grasses around the nursery;
7. Cover either or both the bonsai container's top soil or nursery ground areas with coconut husk fibers to aid in moisture retention;
8. Cover the nursery with a temporary structure made from woven palm leaf mats, which offers protection from the scorching heat;
9. Cover the nursery area with a horticultural netting structure that can reduce the sunlight by 50 to 75 percent; and
10. Installing an automatic misting or drip irrigation system.
Most bonsai hobbyists select bonsai that can bear the harsh central Indian summers. Some of these plants include varieties of ficus, bougainvillea, baobab, Portulacaria afra (purslane tree) and Adenium obesum.
To add interest around the nursery, some bonsai hobbyists hang earthenware pitchers or urns filled with water from large trees and grow colorful lilies or Pistia (water lettuce) Standing water in the pitchers can be a vehicle for breeding mosquitoes. To counter the mosquitoes, some people place small guppies in the water to eat the mosquito larvae.
Birds such as pigeons, sparrows and crows are can cause damage to bonsai.
Hobbyists have found ways to reduce this damage from birds. Placing scarecrows
in or around the nursery can keep birds away. Hanging black-colored, light-weight
vinyl tape above growing areas has been successful. As breezes cause the
tape to flutter, the birds are scared away. One student has found placing
broken glass shards into the topsoil of the bonsai container is useful,
while another student plays a recording of a gun battle or a honking train.
But none of the hobbyists will fire a gun to scare the birds away!
Indian bonsai hobbyists prefer to use natural fertilizers or insecticides
rather than chemicals. The natural fertilizers are made from either sun-dried
leaf mold, cow manure or the vermi-compost. Natural insecticides are made
from NEEM, ginger, turmeric, onion, garlic, tobacco leaves or holly basil
extracts. Even cow urine has been prepared as an insecticide! Surely, a
study of such naturally-occurring insecticides can save mankind from the
ill effects of chemicals on the environment. We are united in our belief
that we must all must vigorously pursue the use of natural fertilizers and
insecticides.