Hello Bonsai Friends,
Our October meeting was on the 3rd @ Greenhouse Garden Center, Carson City. It looks like we may have meetings this winter. Ken has said that the Greenhouse Garden Center will have its new indoor area available and maybe our next gathering will be in there. We can’t wait.
There will be a post if and when the next meeting is scheduled.
🌿 Bonsai Zen Poem Reflection for October
October rain falls
where mountain shadows linger.
One leaf turns amber,
another crimson flame.
The bonsai knows no season,
yet wears them all.
Wind carries summer away,
branch by branch.
No leaf resists the change.
No color stays.
In the quiet garden,
the tree lets go of green
and discovers
how beautiful it can be.
📰 Club News
This last Saturday 10-3, we had a bonsai exposition and I think it went very well. We have quite a few people come by to view about 40 our our club’s trees. We also had a learning opportunity to a trim a juniper that Michelle had purchased.
Here are some photos of the event and the trimming.
☀️ October Weather Outlook
Carson City and Reno
October brings the full arrival of autumn to Northern Nevada. Across Reno and Carson City, warm summer days give way to crisp mornings, vibrant foliage, and the unmistakable beauty of the changing season. Aspen groves glow golden along the eastern Sierra, ornamental maples display shades of crimson and orange, and shorter days bring a calmer rhythm to the landscape.
October is often one of the most colorful months of the year in the high desert. Sunny afternoons remain comfortable, while cool evenings remind us that winter is slowly approaching. The contrast of brilliant blue skies against autumn colors creates some of the most striking scenery Northern Nevada has to offer.
October by the Numbers
🍂 Average High: ~68°F (20°C)
🌙 Average Low: ~38°F (3°C)
🌧️ Rainfall: Light — approximately 0.4–0.8 inches (10–20 mm), with occasional autumn storms
☀️ Sunshine: Approximately 250–280 hours of sunshine, with many clear, crisp days
💧 Humidity: Around 35–45%, maintaining Northern Nevada’s characteristic dry climate
The month begins with pleasant daytime temperatures, but conditions can change quickly as the season progresses. Afternoon highs commonly reach the mid-60s to low 70s, while overnight lows frequently drop into the 30s. The first frost often arrives in outlying areas, signaling the transition toward winter dormancy for many plants.
October is a season of transformation. Summer’s green canopy gradually yields to shades of gold, amber, scarlet, and bronze. Early mornings may reveal frost sparkling across lawns and gardens, while afternoons remain ideal for enjoying the outdoors beneath crystal-clear skies. As the sun sets earlier each evening, the surrounding mountains are painted in rich autumn light, creating unforgettable displays of color and shadow.
For bonsai enthusiasts, October is a month of observation and appreciation. Deciduous trees often reach their peak autumn color before beginning their annual leaf drop. Watering needs continue to decrease, growth slows significantly, and preparations for winter protection become increasingly important. It is a time to admire the beauty of change, recognizing that each falling leaf is part of the tree’s natural cycle and a reminder of the quiet wisdom found in every season.
“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” 🍁
🍂 October Bonsai Tasks for Carson City • Reno
USDA Zones 7a-7b High Desert
October brings the full arrival of autumn to Northern Nevada. Cooler nights, shorter days, and occasional frosty mornings signal the transition toward dormancy. Deciduous trees display their finest seasonal colors, while conifers begin settling into their winter rhythm. This is a month of observation, preparation, and appreciating the beauty of change.
💧 Watering
- Continue to monitor soil moisture carefully as water requirements decline significantly.
- Avoid watering on a fixed schedule. Cooler temperatures, cloudier days, and reduced growth mean trees dry more slowly.
- Water thoroughly when needed, especially before anticipated freezes.
- Do not allow trees to become completely dry, even as growth slows.
🌱 Fertilizing
- Continue light autumn fertilization early in the month for healthy trees.
- Use low-nitrogen fertilizer to encourage root development and winter energy storage.
- Discontinue fertilizing deciduous trees once leaves begin dropping.
- Pines and junipers may continue receiving autumn feeding as they prepare for winter dormancy.
✂️ Pruning and Trimming
- Limit pruning to minor maintenance and removal of unwanted shoots.
- Avoid heavy structural pruning on deciduous trees as they prepare for dormancy.
- Remove crossing, damaged, or dead branches as they become easier to identify.
- Focus on observation and planning rather than major styling work.
🍁 Peak Fall Color
- October is often the most spectacular month for autumn color in Northern Nevada.
- Enjoy peak displays on:
- Japanese Maples
- Trident Maples
- Amur Maples
- Elms
- Aspen and local collected species
- Resist pruning colorful foliage too early. Leaves continue storing energy for next year’s growth.
- Photograph trees at their peak autumn beauty for your records.
🌲 Conifers
- Clean old needles from pines to improve airflow and visibility of branch structure.
- Thin dense growth where appropriate.
- Inspect wire regularly, as branches may continue thickening.
- Avoid aggressive styling that could stress trees before winter.
🪴 Repotting
- Repotting remains generally discouraged for most bonsai in Northern Nevada.
- Use this month to evaluate root health and identify trees needing repotting next spring.
- Prepare soil supplies, pots, and repotting plans while observations are fresh.
🐛 Pest and Disease Monitoring
- Continue monitoring for:
- Spider mites
- Scale insects
- Aphids
- Fungal diseases
- Remove diseased leaves as they fall.
- Clean benches and growing areas to reduce overwintering pests and pathogens.
❄️ Frost and Freeze Preparation
- Monitor weather forecasts closely for the first hard frosts.
- Identify trees that require winter protection.
- Prepare cold frames, greenhouses, unheated garages, or sheltered locations.
- Have frost cloths and protective materials ready before temperatures drop unexpectedly.
🍂 Leaf Cleanup
- Remove fallen leaves from benches and pots regularly.
- Discard leaves showing signs of disease.
- Healthy leaves may be composted or used as mulch in appropriate garden areas.
- Clean surfaces help reduce pest and fungal problems during winter.
🏷️ Planning and Record Keeping
- Photograph trees in autumn color and after leaf drop.
- Record seasonal observations, successes, and challenges.
- Create winter care plans for each species in your collection.
- Inspect and remove wire that is beginning to bite into branches.
☯️ October Bonsai Reflection
- Autumn reminds us that change is not an ending but part of the tree’s natural cycle.
- Observe the colors, falling leaves, and emerging branch structure.
- This is the season to slow down, appreciate the year’s growth, and prepare for the quiet months ahead.
“
📚 Books We Love
This Month’s Pick: In a Japanese Garden – by Charmaine Aserappa & Akiko Naomura (Hardcover)
Another not quite a Bonsai book but people often have a Japanese garden and this book shows interacting with the creatures of nature. This book provides many thoughts of the Japanese garden occupants like butterflys and moss.
📬 Stay Connected
Have photos, stories, or ideas for future newsletters? We’d love to include them.
Email us anytime at rainshadowbonsaiclub@gmail.com.
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