Bonsai things to do in Cape Town - August

AUGUST

Month	Mean Rainfall mm	Rel.  Humidity %	Daily Sun­shine Hrs	Temp. Max Celcius	Temp. Min Celcius
August	73,7	79	6,7	17,8	7,4

POSITION	Still wet, cold, windy and dark but beneath the gloom sap is rising and potting is hectic. Finish potting deciduous trees this month and add acacias to the list.
WATERING	Little watering required but be wary of consecutive dry days. Check drainage holes in pots and if trees are not draining properly lift them up and place coarse gravel under them.
FERTILISING	It is still very early to apply feeds but growth stimulants such as Superthrive may be used. Once growth commences fertilisers may be used.
DISEASE CONTROL	Pests are waking up and whilst humans are still reluctant to go outdoors pests may be damaging little trees. Take the necessary precautions.
PRUNING	Pruning may now be carried out freely, stimulating growth by pruning on both deciduous and evergreens are useful.
POTTING	Deciduous trees may still be potted but take care with evergreens it is still too cold for them. Only pot when the onset of growth is obvious.
REMARKS	August days are longer but temperatures are still lower than in June. This area is still in winter, so take care not to do things best left to spring.

SUISEKI AND PENJING

The weather is conducive to collecting rocks as SUISEKI or for creating PENJING. It is also very healthy both physically and mentally to get outdoors and to enjoy a special closeness with nature.