Summer is a tough time for many plants (especially with some areas across the nation forecasted to experience waves of extreme heat), so be sure to water your bonsai trees and lucky bamboo very often, maybe even twice a day, to ensure they won’t dry out. Be especially aware if you keep your plants outside that they are not being exposed to too much sunlight. Nevertheless, a good choice this summer would be the Sago Palm or Ponytail Palm bonsai tree. We here at Eastern Leaf recommend these palm bonsai trees because of their tendency to enjoy filtered sunlight. In fact, keep your palm bonsai tree in the shade for too long and it will refuse to grow! If your palm bonsai is indoors, be sure to place it somewhere near a window to ensure it gets ample sunlight. Sit back with a large glass of your favorite iced tea, open up a window, let that warm summer breeze flow, close your eyes and enjoy your summer!

What have your floors done for the Earth today?

A popular choice among modern homes today is the use of bamboo floors. Revered by bamboo floor manufacturers to be extremely strong and durable, as bamboo is known for, it is also recognized by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) as a green material. Since bamboo is technically grass, especially the Moso species typically used in American homes, bamboo flooring seems to be the new way to go green. It’s a renewable source that regenerates itself and is getting positive reviews from the eco-friendly and the homeowners; although we don’t recommend trying to flatten our bamboo arrangements to replace your wood floors.

• The Chinese Elm bonsai tree enjoys partial filtered natural sunlight. Prolonged direct exposure to intense sun may burn the plant and yellow the leaves.
• The Chinese Elm bonsai tree constantly rotates leaves and sprouts new buds as old ones fall. This occurs most frequently when acclimating to new temperatures.
• Although the Chinese Elm bonsai tree is quite hardy, avoid cold weather. Prune after the growth period in early spring.
• Water daily, keeping the bonsai tree and soil moist at all times.
• You can repot in early spring, every 1-3 years, but plan to repot the bonsai tree either a month before or after pruning to ensure that the bonsai tree sustains the least shock possible.

• The Juniper bonsai tree does best in filtered or shaded sunlight.
• Juniper bonsai trees can survive in cold weather and are extremely hardy but provide protection from freezing conditions in winter.
• To avoid browning of needles, prune by pinching off unwanted stems using fingers or shears. Foliage should be thinned to let in light.
• Water moderately, keeping the bonsai tree moist at all times.
• Fertilize your juniper bonsai tree once every two weeks. We recommend using a bonsai fertilizer.
• Juniper bonsai trees may be repotted throughout most of the year, although, the best times for repotting are in the spring and fall. After repotting, water thoroughly and keep the bonsai tree in a shady location for several weeks so that new roots may grow.