Cyclones

[buddaboy]

To all our Mates in West Oz, and North Queensland. I hope you, your Families, and your trees stay safe if the cyclones come through.

Buddaboy

P.S. Dont be tempted to try any windswept styling at the moment.

[Ash]

Cheers Budda-

Greenhouses and nurseries are not all that compatible with cyclones. I have prepared the nursery through a few blows so here is some nursery cyclone preparation advice for the un-initiated:

1. Clear your growing area of all things that could come loose and fly eg: shadecloth, loose pots, decorations, that pile of garden rubbish you have been meaning to get too, tall potted plants, hanging plants, tools, flags. Pick in the washing off the clothes line- things with a big sail area such as sheets tend to catch the wind but things with a small sail area such as skimpy lacey underwear are less of a problem. You need to prioritise what could do damage. You don't need to worry about shifting heavy low profile things you have lying around the yard such as landscaping rocks and gold bullion bars.

2. Check trees around your house for branches that could act as a can-opener and lift your roof. Like the rest of your pile take it away to the dump. If you cant cut them up into as small a pile of bits as you can and jam it away somewhere like the boot of your car.

3. If the cyclone is going to be weak take plants off benches and plinths and put them on the floor, take hanging plants of wires and put them on the floor. If the cyclone is going to be big I bring all bonsai inside and pack 100 + hanging plants into cardboard packing boxes and stack them in a bedroom. It does not take nearly as long as you think. When bonsai are inside I set up a personal exhibition and name it after the cyclone. Monday's exhibition will be TC Anthony-Ten. I don't expect a crowd of attendees. Maybe just my wife and I.

4. Tie any plants that cannot be lifted (such as large landscape trees in pots) to something stable, or if they are likely to blow over lay them over gently beforehand and tie them down. Aluminum boats or anything hollow and light in back yard - fill with water.

5. Have a watering can and misting bottles ready inside. Sometimes the air inside is dry and you might need them to water or mist your plant. Bathroom is the best place for this. Bring your tool kit inside - you will probably end up trimming a tree anyway - you might as well use your bonsai tools and not your wife's hairdressing scizzors.

cheers

Ash

[Glenda]

Great advice Anthony. I already have some experience dealing with cyclones and bonsai - we had one last year that hit Airlie Beach, and we got enough of the side of that to unroof houses, uproot big trees, and snapped 20cm diameter koppers logs of our fence level with the ground. All my plants were taken into the garage. Problem this year is that I have a lot more plants! Upside is, we should be far enough away from this one not to have too much problem.

For any bonsai buddies around the Ayr - Townsville areas, my prayers are with you and your families.

Glenda

[Ash]

If you have not already done it - time to batten down the hatches. By this time tomorrow morning there are going to be a lot fewer big trees in north Queensland than there are right now.
Ash

[Pup]

Good luck to all in that area our thoughts are with you, as we did not have any problems with ours, may the Gods be that kind to you.

Cheers Pup

[craigw60]

Thinking of you Ash, Hope you have all your beautiful trees safely tucked away in the house.
Craigw