I develop software solutions for the faint of heart.
A Nevadan (Sparks) techno geek, in pursuit of great code, the photo shot, finding a wine that I don’t have to spit out, brewing the perfect hoppy ale and the sweet love of my wife!
As May arrives in the high desert, our bonsai are waking up fast — and so is our club. This month brought our second beginner class, along with a few make‑up sessions, and the energy in the Carson City Senior Center was energetic. Students continued shaping their trees, asking great questions, and building confidence with their tools and techniques.
Following the class, we held a lively club meeting where everyone jumped into hands‑on trimming, styling, and comparing notes on the season’s cooler temperatures. Members shared tips on fertilizers, discussed soil makeup for our unique climate, and worked together on spring maintenance tasks. It was one of those meetings that reminds us why this community is so special — learning, laughing, and growing trees side by side.
With longer days ahead and our trees pushing strong new growth, May is shaping up to be a wonderful month for bonsai in the Carson City-Reno region.
📰 Club News
🤩Remember that the club holds it monthly meetings on the first Saturday of each month at 11am at the Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City!
Pottery Class Announcement: Ogres-Holmes Pottery
May 16 & 30 (both Saturdays) are the dates for the sessions which go from 9 am to 12 pm each session. Cost is $85 total. The couple that co own Ogres-Holmes Pottery, Jo and Merrill Moore, will take a credit card over the phone 1 775 461 3616 at the time you call them to signup. Or you can stop by their shop at 1217 S Carson St in Carson City (inside the Carson Mall). The class size is 10 students so decide fast. They will start a wait list and may hold a second class if their is enough interest.
🌤️ May Weather – Carson City & Reno, Nevada
May is one of the most pleasant months in the high desert. Days warm into the 70s, nights stay cool, and rainfall is minimal — perfect for repotting, wiring, and moving many trees into full sun.
🌞 Carson City – May Weather Summary
Average High: ~71–75°F
Average Low: ~41–45°F
Rainfall: Very low — about 0.6 inches for the month, ~5 rainy days
Sunshine: ~84% of days are sunny; ~375 hours of sun in May
Snow: Essentially 0 inches in May (rare to none)
Weather Icons for Carson City (Typical May): ☀️ Sunny / Mostly Sunny — dominant ⛅ Partly Sunny — occasional 🌦️ Light Showers — uncommon but possible 🌙 Cool Clear Nights — frequent
🌞 Reno – May Weather Summary
Average High: ~72–76°F
Average Low: ~43–49°F
Daily High Range: 67°F early month → 76°F late month (trend upward)
Rainfall: Low — ~4 rainy days, very light precipitation
Cloud Cover: Decreases through the month; late May is mostly clear
Wire checks become important — May growth thickens quickly.
Repotting window closes for most species by mid‑May as temperatures rise.
Watering increases — soils dry faster with longer days and low humidity.
Fertilizing resumes for most trees now pushing strong growth.
Watch for sun‑scorch on recently repotted or shade‑grown trees as UV climbs.
🌱 Bonsai Tasks for May (Reno & Carson City – Zones 7a/7b)
May is when the high desert finally settles into warm days, cool nights, and fast growth. Trees wake up fully, roots are active, and pests begin to appear. It’s a month of momentum — and vigilance.
🌿 1. Watering Adjustments
Increase watering frequency as temperatures rise and winds stay dry.
Check soil twice daily on small pots or fast growers.
Avoid evening soaking — cool nights can slow root metabolism.
🌳 2. Fertilizing for Strong Growth
Begin regular fertilizing for most species (every 1–2 weeks).
Use balanced fertilizer for deciduous trees; slightly lower nitrogen for pines/junipers.
Newly repotted trees: wait 3–4 weeks before feeding.
✂️ 3. Pruning & Pinching
Deciduous trees:
Pinch back new shoots to maintain silhouette.
Trim overly long internodes early.
Junipers:
Pinch tips gently — no heavy cutting.
Elms, maples, hornbeam:
May is ideal for partial defoliation on strong, healthy trees.
🪢 4. Wiring & Structural Work
Rapid May growth means wire bite happens fast.
Check wired branches weekly.
Light wiring is fine; avoid heavy bends on species that are brittle in spring.
🌤️ 5. Sun & Heat Management
Move most trees into full sun now that frost risk is gone.
Protect shade‑grown or recently repotted trees from sudden UV exposure.
Watch for leaf scorch on maples during dry, windy days.
🐛 6. Pest & Disease Monitoring
Aphids, spider mites, and scale become active in May.
Inspect undersides of leaves weekly.
Treat early with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap if needed.
Keep benches clean to reduce fungal issues.
🪴 7. Repotting (Last Call)
Only repot late‑starting species now:
Junipers
Pines
Some conifers
Avoid repotting deciduous trees — they’re already in full leaf.
🌱 8. Growth Management
Rotate trees weekly for even growth.
Thin dense foliage pads to improve airflow.
Remove suckers and unwanted shoots at the base or trunk.
🧼 9. Display & Pot Care
Clean pots and remove algae buildup.
Refresh top dressing if it has broken down.
Check tie‑downs on recently repotted trees.
🪵 10. Outdoor Bench Setup
Ensure benches are level and stable after winter storms.
Increase spacing between trees to improve airflow.
Begin preparing shade cloth for June heat.
📚 Books We Love
This Month’s Pick: Bonsai Survival Manual: Tree-by-Tree Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Problem Solving If you want to grab a copy of the book we use, here are the details:
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