Page 46 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2014Q1

AiM is a collection of trees drawn from the stock used
to plant the Arboretum. Many of these are trees spe-
cies that have been used for bonsai and penjing for
many years, but other species have never been trained
as miniatures. The AiM project is also being used to
expand knowledge of the types of trees that are suit-
able for bonsai and penjing, reflecting the research
goals of the Arboretum.
All of the AiM trees are being tested and trained with
a view to creating miniature versions of those trees
planted in the Arboretum. Visitors in 50 years’ time
will have the wonderful experience of seeing mature
specimens from the same stock growing both on the
hillsides of the Arboretum and in pots. Already, some
of the great beauty of the Arboretum’s trees species
can be seen in bark colors and textures, as well as
seasonal changes in color of leaves. Trunks on some
species of eucalypts are developing so well that bonsai
Top; The site of the new enthusiasts would already cast an envious eye over
National Arboretum Canberra
showing the 90,000 litre water them. The AiM Collection is something to look for-
tank. ward to!
Middle; Main display area, seen As the NBPCA has become established and widely
from the back of house known, its reputation has been enhanced. It is ex-
Bottom; Main display area tremely pleasing that many of Australia’s best bonsai
finished and open to the
public. artists are willing to display their trees in the national
capital and trust that they will be properly cared for.
Grant Bowie, the interim curator of the Collection
deserves much of the credit for this. The new Curator,
Leigh Taafe, is ably carrying on in Grant’s footsteps.
The greatly expanded facilities available at the new
site have also provided opportunities to engage with
visiting bonsai experts from within Australia and in-
ternationally. Bonsai experts such as Yusuke Uchida
from Nagoya, Japan, have conducted workshops for
local bonsai enthusiasts while they work on styling
trees.
Looking after trees from across Australia has gener-
ated new knowledge. Anyone involved with bonsai
understands the importance of feeding trees to keep
them healthy and happy. But many bonsai enthusi-
asts will readily acknowledge that they do not follow
a strict feeding regime. Here at the Collection it is
followed strictly. Over a period of time, fertilizing
routine has been refined with a view to keeping the
trees in show condition all year round. Some interest-
ing observations have been made too.
For instance, deciduous trees are holding their foli-
age longer than previously. This is true for Japanese
maples, Chinese elms and the swamp cypress forest.
While some of this can be attributed to the micro-
climate of the Collection enclosure, minus 6 degrees
Celsius would normally have more impact on the
The strategies that support this overall goal include deciduous trees that observed. A careful feeding re-
providing the opportunity to build linkages between gime has helped the trees in the Collection delay their
viewing full-size trees in the National Arboretum winter ‘shut-down’. Obviously, other maintenance
and their miniature equivalents in the Collection. such as regular re-potting also helps. There is more
Central to this strategy is the Arboretum in Minia- information on this on the NBPCA website, www.
ture (AiM) project. nbpca.com.au.

44 | BCI | January/February/March 2014