Hello Bonsai Friends,
Our July meeting has been moved to the 11th for the Fourth-of-July.
🌿 Summer Bonsai Haiku 🌿
Sun climbs without pause,
Leaves wait in quiet shadow–
Patience drinks the heat.
🌱 Zen Reflection for July🌱
July arrives with its quiet lesson: even in the fiercest heat, growth continues through steadiness, not haste. The sun presses down, the soil dries quickly, and our trees respond not with urgency, but with measured resilience. They do only what the season allows — no more, no less.
In this way, July reminds us that patience is not passive. It is an active choice to meet each day as it is. We water with intention, we shade with care, and we resist the impulse to force change. The tree teaches us that strength comes from pacing ourselves, conserving energy, and trusting that the right moment for action will return.
As the long summer days stretch on, may we practice the art of doing just enough. May we find calm in the heat, clarity in the stillness, and gratitude for the quiet work happening beneath the soil.
📰 Club News
Please read an interview of Ken Jones by Bill Macauley
At our last club meeting, Les Taylor performed an air layering on a Full Moon Japanese maple.
☀️ July Weather Outlook — Reno & Carson City
Reno – July Summary
- Average High: ~90°F (32°C–34°C)
- Average Low: ~56°F (13°C–15°C)
- Rainfall: Very low — ~8 mm over ~3–4 days
- Sunshine: ~424 hours; ~92% sunny days
- Humidity: ~36–44% (dry, typical high‑desert summer)
Overall: Hot, dry, intensely sunny. Evenings cool off nicely.
Carson City – July Summary
- Average High: ~88–96°F (31°C–36°C)
- Average Low: ~47–53°F (8°C–12°C)
- Rainfall: Very low — ~6–9 mm over ~2–3 days
- Sunshine: ~424 hours; ~92% sunny days (same regional dataset as Reno)
- Humidity: ~36–44% (dry, comfortable)
Overall: Hot days, cool nights, extremely sunny, very low chance of rain.
Weather Icons for Reno (Typical June): ☀️ Sunny ⛅ Partly Sunny 🌤️ Mostly Clear 🌦️ Light Showers (brief, occasional)
🌱 Bonsai Tasks for July (Reno–Carson City High Desert)
Watering & Heat Management
- Increase watering frequency; July heat dries soil rapidly.
- Water early morning to reduce evaporation and prevent leaf scorch.
- Use shade cloth (30–40%) for sensitive species like Japanese maples, freshly repotted trees, and shohin.
- Check soil twice daily during heat waves.
Fertilizing
- Continue balanced fertilizer for most species pushing summer growth.
- Switch to lower‑nitrogen formulas for pines and junipers if growth is strong.
- Avoid fertilizing stressed or recently repotted trees.
Wiring & Structural Work
- July growth thickens quickly—check wires weekly to prevent cutting in.
- Heavy bending is risky in high heat; do structural work early morning or postpone until cooler weather.
Pest & Disease Monitoring
- Watch for spider mites (common in hot, dry conditions).
- Increase humidity around trees with light misting (not during peak sun).
- Inspect undersides of leaves weekly.
Repotting
- Do NOT repot in July—too hot for safe root work.
- Only emergency repots if a tree is failing.
General Care
Mulch soil surfaces lightly (akadama fines, sphagnum strands) to slow evaporation.
Rotate trees to balance sun exposure.
Protect pots from overheating—use pot feet or place on shaded benches.
🚫 What NOT to Do in July
Reno & Carson City – Zones 7a / 7b
🔥 Things NOT to Do in July (Reno–Carson City High Desert)
🚫 1. Don’t Repot Anything
July heat is brutal on disturbed roots.
- Root work + 90–100°F sun = transplant shock.
- Only exception: true emergency repotting of a tree that’s failing.
🚫 2. Don’t Do Heavy Pruning
Major cuts stress trees when they’re already fighting heat.
- Avoid structural pruning on deciduous trees.
- Avoid big foliage reductions on junipers and pines.
- Light trimming only.
🚫 3. Don’t Fertilize Stressed Trees
If a tree is wilting, yellowing, or recovering from spring work:
- Fertilizer can burn roots in hot soil.
- Skip feeding until the tree stabilizes.
🚫 4. Don’t Water in the Late Afternoon
Hot pots + cold water = cracked pots, root shock, and fungal risk.
- Stick to early morning watering.
- Evening watering is okay only if absolutely necessary.
🚫 5. Don’t Leave Trees in Full Sun After Repotting or Heavy Work
Freshly worked trees cannot handle July UV.
- Use shade cloth (30–40%).
- Move sensitive species (maples, hornbeam, shohin) to filtered light.
🚫 6. Don’t Ignore Wire Bite
July growth thickens fast.
- Wire can cut in within days.
- Check weekly; remove at first sign of swelling.
🚫 7. Don’t Let Pots Sit Directly on Hot Surfaces
Concrete, dark benches, and pavers radiate heat upward.
- Roots can cook.
- Use pot feet or wood slats to lift containers.
🚫 8. Don’t Over‑Mist in Full Sun
Misting during peak heat can scorch leaves.
- Mist only in shade or early morning.
- Spider mites love dry heat, but misting must be strategic.
🚫 9. Don’t Overlook Pest Pressure
Spider mites explode in July.
- Don’t assume “dry air means fewer pests.”
- Weekly leaf‑underside checks are mandatory.
🚫 10. Don’t Push Weak Trees to Grow
July is not the month to “catch up” a struggling tree.
Save growth pushes for spring or early fall.
Focus on stability, shade, and hydration.
📚 Books We Love
This Month’s Pick:
“Illustrated Examples of Five-Needle Pine Bonsai Modeling” is compiled by Modern Japan Publishing Co., Ltd. It is one of the volumes in the “Green Finger Japanese Bonsai Master Series” series
📬 Stay Connected
Have photos, stories, or ideas for future newsletters? We’d love to include them.
Email us anytime at rainshadowbonsaiclub@gmail.com.
Rain Shadow Bonsai 
Leave a comment