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Ya that makes total sense. Climate is very important I understand that, since I’m in South Canada I get 4 seasons and a lot of these bonsais are foreign so they don’t get all 4 seasons, so I have to accommodate that, I believe the Juniper is the only one that can handle the 4 seasons here??

Tropfrog wrote:

I have kept bonsai for almost 10 years now. Currently growing 300+ trees. And I have never had any issues with pest infestations. Trees that are healthy just do not get any infestations.

So focus on tree health not pesticides. Any unwanted bug on the tree can be removed by hand.?

I am not sure I envy the weather. We have insect issues just about constantly.? We used to get hard freezes every year but now we get weather cold enough to kill insects about every three years. Two years ago it dropped to 27F/-2C one night only.

Ants bring aphids, spiders build webs all year long, etc.

30 years ago they weren't real bad but global warming has really helped the insect population. I try to avoid chemicals but it is some work. Spraying the leaves hard with the jet setting on the sprinkler seems to help.

Ya that’s fair, I used a little bit of the Safers End-All which is mostly natural, but I’ve been using a neem oil base one called big leaf energy which has helped a bit plus gives some nutrients to the foliage for a good shine so that’s a plus. But yes the weather shift from even 15 years ago here is very different, this winter we just had was terrible but previous years for many years were very mild.?

I am frustrated that the quotations do not work on my phone:

Ivan: do not fight spiders. They are good for the tree.

Jater: There are many foreign tree species that work excellent in south Canada. Far more than foreign trees that work excellent in livingroom conditions. Check out The bonsai zone on youtube. Nigel that runs that channel is in South Canada, Stratford Ontario. He grows all kinds of trees from arctic to tropic and have it all set up to work good. Maybe, if not too far away, you can join the same club and learn from someone with experience?

I wish he was a bit closer to me, but it’s just over 2 hours from me. But yes maybe I can join his club online? I’ll have to check?