Boxwood - Buxus sp.

Kusamura Club Calendar
September 2007
• Tree styling workshops (more soon)

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Collecting Nursery Material
Article compiled by Jerry Carpenter

With the bus trip coming up in August, it is a good idea to think about what we want to add to our collections from nursery stock and growing grounds. For many of us, this is where our collections begin. Sometimes we can purchase a bonsai that has already been trained for years by going to shows, auctions, and special sales but as we are patient people who like to learn the art of bonsai and have patience to watch them grow, the nursery is our heaven. So what do we look for in that plant material?

Our first premise is species. What species are best suited for our collection and bring us joy. I, for example, like deciduous trees like Trident Maples, Beech, and Elm. I have a special fondness for Olives but I dabble with Junipers as well. This means that when I approach a nursery or growing ground that I RUN to the maples! I am prepared to get dirty then because it will take much lifting of pots, turn trees, removing old leaves and sometimes getting down on hands and knees to view the material.

Next we look at the nebari, which is the crown and surface roots of the plant. It is the hardest thing to find; roots that spread, have substance and are radial round the trunk of the tree. We do not want roots that wrap around each other or grow strong in a circular pattern.

For me the trunk of the tree is the next goal. Looking at thickness of the trunk, movement, health, bark, height, and taper are key.  Once you have the trunk, you move to examining the branch structure. Find the ultimate apex and then find the number one and two branches. Look for a front and if the tree provides for good back branches. The number one branch is usually one third the height of the tree and not as heavy as the trunk. The branches should be thicker at the bottom and thinner at the top. Thick top branches will most likely have to be sacrificed. The number two branch should not be directly opposite the number one or directly behind the trunk. You may have to choose a branch that will take many years to grow out. 

Look for trees with small leaves and considerable branching. Some trees can be trained to develop smaller leaves but some species cannot and you must choose the species carefully. After choosing your material, bring them home and sit with them for awhile. You can trim braches, remove leaves, do some basic wiring but wait until the winter months to repot and cut roots. This will require patience. I like to begin removing branches to reveal the trunk, plan the movement and design that will be when the time is right.  Let’s go hunting and enjoy the bus trip.

Other Events
August 4 - San Francisco, California
San Francisco Suiseki Kai: 26th Annual Exhibit at the Union Bank Hospitality Room in Japan Center (Post Street between Laguna and Fillmore Streets).  Hours are 10AM-5PM both days.  For further information, call Janet Roth at (510) 530-1577, or email at janet@jtroth.com.

August 25 - Santa Rosa, California
Redwood Empire Bonsai Society: 24th Annual Bonsai Show at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Ave.  Hours are Saturday 10AM-5PM and Sunday 10AM-4PM.  Demonstrations by Kathy Shaner at 1:30PM both days. Large sales area with plants, pots, books, tools & related items.  Door prizes and Benefit Drawings.  For information, call Bob Shimon (707) 884-4126 or email shimon@mcn.org.  Web page: www.rebsbonsai.org.

No Regular August Meeting - See note below

August Bus Trip is Canceled!
Kusamura has canceled the annual bus trip due to a lack of advanced payments. However, we are organizing a car pooling process for the August 25 event. We are searching for a passenger van to carry 8 people. We will keep you posted on our progress. We also suggest you consider driving up with other to the Redwood Empire show and the growing grounds with us if we can coordinate arrival.

Programming Suggestions
The Board is soliciting members’ ideas for programs for the coming year. Please see a board member to express your ideas for workshops.

Show Chair
We thank Sandy Planting for a wonderful job as Show Chair this year and now as for a candidate to accept the position of Show Chair for the ’08 show. The position needs to be assigned so that booking and design steps can be taken soon. Please contact John Planting if you are interest this month.

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