13 phases · 37 species · 2469 seasonal notes · Pacific Northwest, Zone 8b
The Calendar
Bonsai keeps a different calendar — thirteen phases instead of twelve months, read from buds and weather instead of dates. Turn the wheel to any season; every species answers.
Happening now · day 2 of 31 · Late Fall in 30 days
Mid Fall
Color arrives. Structural pruning and wiring while the branches are honest.
165 notes across 29 species this phase
Watering
28 speciesBoxwood11 on the bench
Minimal watering; ensure slight drying between.
Japanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy'6 on the bench
Reduce watering as foliage falls.
Dawn Redwood5 on the bench
Water only when surface begins to dry.
Chinese Juniper3 on the bench
Further reduce; water only when necessary.
Colorado Blue Spruce2 on the bench
Water less frequently; keep soil just moist.
Coralbark Japanese Maple2 on the bench
Reduce watering as foliage falls.
Bigleaf Maple1 on the bench
Reduce watering as foliage falls.
Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench
Water less frequently but do not allow roots to dry out.
Copper Beech1 on the bench
Infrequent, soil drying tolerated.
Creeping Juniper1 on the bench
Water sparingly; allow surface to dry between waterings.
Engelmann Spruce1 on the bench
Reduce watering but don’t let dry out completely.
Ginkgo biloba1 on the bench
Monitor rainfall; reduce irrigation accordingly.
Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench
Reduce frequency with leaf drop.
Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench
Water only when topsoil dries out—avoid saturation.
Japanese Larch1 on the bench
Minimal, check weekly.
Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood'1 on the bench
Reduce watering as foliage falls.
Japanese Yew1 on the bench
Reduce further. Avoid root saturation from rainfall.
Lilac Sensation1 on the bench
Monitor rainfall. Water if dry spells persist.
Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench
Reduce frequency, especially with rain.
Satsuki Azalea1 on the bench
Monitor soil moisture closely. Roots still need hydration.
Trident Maple1 on the bench
Reduce water; prevent pot from staying wet as temps drop.
From the wider reference
Decrease slightly but do not allow roots to dry.
Water less frequently. Monitor based on weather.
Water only when dry to depth. Avoid wet feet.
Minimal watering; ensure slight dryness between.
European Smoketree, AKA Venetian Sumach
Water sparingly; do not let soil dry out fully.
Minimal watering; soil should be slightly dry.
Reduce frequency but do not let dry out completely.
Feeding
10 speciesDawn Redwood5 on the bench
Discontinue feeding.
Chinese Juniper3 on the bench
Cease feeding by mid-month.
Creeping Juniper1 on the bench
Finish all feeding by mid-month.
Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench
Stop fertilizing by mid-October.
Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench
Final feeding early in this window—slow-release is ideal.
Hinoki Cypress1 on the bench
None.
Japanese Larch1 on the bench
Stop all feeding.
Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench
Final feeding of the year early in this phase.
Trident Maple1 on the bench
Stop feeding once leaves fully color/fall.
From the wider reference
None.
Repotting
3 speciesCreeping Juniper1 on the bench
No.
Hinoki Cypress1 on the bench
Not advised.
From the wider reference
Not advised.
Pruning
15 speciesDawn Redwood5 on the bench
Remove dead twigs and unnecessary growth.
Chinese Juniper3 on the bench
Structural cleanup only; no hard cuts.
Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench
Finish any major structural changes before hard frost.
Creeping Juniper1 on the bench
Finish structural and silhouette work.
Engelmann Spruce1 on the bench
Remove dead or damaged needles/branches.
Ginkgo biloba1 on the bench
Clean up dead branches, but avoid major cuts.
Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench
No heavy pruning—tree preparing for dormancy.
Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench
Remove weak or unproductive shoots. Shape for silhouette.
Hinoki Cypress1 on the bench
Light clean-up only; no heavy cuts.
Japanese Larch1 on the bench
Remove residual weak shoots.
Lilac Sensation1 on the bench
Finish clean-up pruning.
Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench
Deadwood and cleaning only—avoid pushing growth.
Satsuki Azalea1 on the bench
Remove suckers and overly vigorous shoots.
From the wider reference
European Smoketree, AKA Venetian Sumach
Remove dead twigs only.
Remove dead twigs; clean up interior clutter.
Wiring
16 speciesDawn Redwood5 on the bench
Wire coniferous portions for winter setting.
Chinese Juniper3 on the bench
Begin fall wiring now.
Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench
Monitor wire placement; remove tight wires.
Copper Beech1 on the bench
Set basic wire if needed for structure.
Creeping Juniper1 on the bench
Continue wiring; ideal window for structural bends.
Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench
Wire visible lignified growth for winter hold.
Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench
Ideal time to wire or adjust existing wiring without growth pressure.
Hinoki Cypress1 on the bench
Fall structural wiring; leave loose enough for winter.
Japanese Larch1 on the bench
Can wire lignified wood.
Japanese Yew1 on the bench
Finish any last wiring before hard dormancy.
Lilac Sensation1 on the bench
Complete any wiring before bark sets fully.
Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench
Ideal time to wire lignified branches.
Satsuki Azalea1 on the bench
Continue wiring as needed before dormancy sets in.
From the wider reference
Continue structural wiring.
European Smoketree, AKA Venetian Sumach
Apply wire to lignified shoots for overwintering bends.
Ideal time for structural wiring.
Defoliation
2 speciesJapanese Larch1 on the bench
Not needed—larch will drop naturally.
From the wider reference
European Smoketree, AKA Venetian Sumach
Natural process; support leaf drop.
Buds & shoots
5 speciesCreeping Juniper1 on the bench
Monitor for dormant bud positioning.
Hinoki Cypress1 on the bench
None.
Japanese Larch1 on the bench
Observe bud health.
From the wider reference
European Smoketree, AKA Venetian Sumach
Observe terminal buds for winter survival.
Done.
Pests & disease
20 speciesBoxwood11 on the bench
Clean up fallen leaves.
Dawn Redwood5 on the bench
Clean around base to prevent overwintering pests.
Chinese Juniper3 on the bench
Preventative fungicide applications if needed.
Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench
Remove fallen leaves to prevent overwintering pests.
Creeping Juniper1 on the bench
Clean and treat soil to prevent overwintering pests.
Ginkgo biloba1 on the bench
Check for fungal issues with falling leaf litter.
Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench
Remove fallen leaves; clean soil surface.
Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench
Spray with dormant oil or neem to clean lingering pests.
Hinoki Cypress1 on the bench
Clear debris from the pot surface; watch for blight in wet weather.
Japanese Larch1 on the bench
Final pest check before winter.
Japanese Yew1 on the bench
Final checks for fungal or pest issues.
Lilac Sensation1 on the bench
Clean around roots. Remove fallen leaves.
Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench
Inspect before winter dormancy—treat any pests.
Satsuki Azalea1 on the bench
Clean bench and soil surface to minimize pest carryover.
From the wider reference
Final clean-up and pest monitoring.
Rake and remove all leaf litter. Prevents overwintering fungi.
Clean fallen leaves to avoid disease.
European Smoketree, AKA Venetian Sumach
Sanitize soil surface to prevent overwintering pests.
Remove fallen leaves to prevent disease.
Sanitize soil surface and remove leaf litter.
Winter protection
23 speciesBoxwood11 on the bench
Prepare winter protection measures.
Dawn Redwood5 on the bench
Move to cold frame or sheltered location soon.
Chinese Juniper3 on the bench
Begin setup of cold frames or move to sheltered locations.
Colorado Blue Spruce2 on the bench
Move to sheltered cold frame or prepare mulch beds.
Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench
Begin planning protection setup.
Creeping Juniper1 on the bench
Begin mulch or cold frame setup for root protection.
Engelmann Spruce1 on the bench
Set up wind protection or move to cold frame.
Ginkgo biloba1 on the bench
Mulch roots lightly in preparation for winter.
Hall's Crabapple1 on the bench
Begin preparing mulch or protection.
Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench
Set up winter location, especially for container insulation.
Hinoki Cypress1 on the bench
Stage wind and freeze shelter.
Japanese Larch1 on the bench
Set up cold frame or mulch protection.
Japanese Yew1 on the bench
Move to sheltered location before frost.
Lilac Sensation1 on the bench
Begin planning storage for dormancy.
Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench
Set up wintering structures or mulch bed.
Satsuki Azalea1 on the bench
Prepare wintering shelter. Avoid root freeze.
From the wider reference
Begin moving to protected area if early frost threatens.
Begin moving tree under protection. Avoid freeze-thaw exposure.
Start transition indoors or to protected space. Move indoors before first frost. Target 45–55°F with bright light and ventilation.
Begin winter protective measures.
European Smoketree, AKA Venetian Sumach
Position tree for cold protection (mulch, cold frame, etc.).
Begin preparing winter protections.
Start wind protection prep and shelter planning.
Wound care
8 speciesChinese Juniper3 on the bench
Avoid major work now.
Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench
Keep cuts dry. Fungal prevention sprays may be applied.
Creeping Juniper1 on the bench
Seal larger pruning wounds as growth ceases.
Hinoki Cypress1 on the bench
Use cut paste on larger cuts.
Japanese Larch1 on the bench
Ensure all cuts sealed.
Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench
Cooler temps are good for wound sealing.
From the wider reference
European Smoketree, AKA Venetian Sumach
No open wounds—healing minimal.
Use cut paste if pruning.
Deadwood & jin
11 speciesChinese Juniper3 on the bench
Final window for carving before winter sets in.
Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench
Last chance before winter.
Copper Beech1 on the bench
Safely carve while dormant structure is visible.
Creeping Juniper1 on the bench
Lime sulfur dry wood for winter.
Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench
Finish dry wood work before rains begin in earnest.
Hinoki Cypress1 on the bench
Very good window.
Japanese Larch1 on the bench
Good time for carving before freeze.
Procumbens Juniper Nana1 on the bench
Good period for stable work.
Satsuki Azalea1 on the bench
Best time for jin and uro work.
From the wider reference
European Smoketree, AKA Venetian Sumach
Possible while sap is low.
Very good window for carving.
Propagation
5 speciesCreeping Juniper1 on the bench
End of viable cutting season.
Hinoki Cypress1 on the bench
Protect cuttings from first frosts.
Japanese Larch1 on the bench
Stratify seeds if collected.
From the wider reference
European Smoketree, AKA Venetian Sumach
Sow seeds outdoors for natural stratification.
Not applicable.
Development
11 speciesDawn Redwood5 on the bench
Document seasonal changes.
Chinese Juniper3 on the bench
Wind down; no new interventions.
Colorado Blue Spruce2 on the bench
Observation and note-taking; no active styling.
Canyon Live Oak1 on the bench
Tree enters dormancy; minimize intervention.
Creeping Juniper1 on the bench
Final visual refinements before rest.
Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench
Secure all structural features before winter.
Hinoki Cypress1 on the bench
Step back and plan spring changes.
Japanese Larch1 on the bench
Halt refinement.
From the wider reference
Observation only. Growth has ceased.
European Smoketree, AKA Venetian Sumach
Dormancy preparation complete.
Step back—observe development areas for spring plan.
Display
8 speciesCanyon Live Oak1 on the bench
Possible short-term display indoors only.
Copper Beech1 on the bench
Fall color display ideal.
Creeping Juniper1 on the bench
Beautiful blue or green foliage makes fall display attractive.
Himalayan Juniper1 on the bench
OK for display, especially outdoors in fall color.
Hinoki Cypress1 on the bench
Attractive; foliage may take on a light bronze tone.
Japanese Larch1 on the bench
Final autumn show.
From the wider reference
European Smoketree, AKA Venetian Sumach
Showy fall color if still present.
Attractive phase for foliage contrast.