Somebody told me that I should begin growing my bonsai in the peel of half an orange, before planting it into the pot. I can't find anybody mentioning this in the litterature. Is it true? And if so, what do I do?

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), May 28, 1999

Answers

This is the most silly thing I ever heard! Why on earth would you do such a thing??

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), May 28, 1999.

The orange theory comes from the Orange School of Bonsai, which originates in south Japan (Kyushu). The acid of the orange peel slows down the growth process considerably. However it is a rather complicated process and the only literature that I know of, is in japanese. If you read japanese you can send me a mail, and I will return some references.

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), May 28, 1999.

I forgot to say in the above answer that the orange HAS to be a Japanese orange. The peel is only half as think as a regular one, and contains less acidity. A regular orange may kill the tre

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), May 29, 1999.