Photo taken at the Northern Collection located in Oakland, CA at Lake Merritt

June Care Instructions

Pine Candling (Sandy Planting)
 

Kusamura Club Calendar
June 2007
•June 15 Meeting - Lonnie McCormick on Care and Training of Black Pines
July 2007
• Board meeting (old and new combined)
•July 20 Meeting - Stephanie North on Care and Training of Boxwood
August 2007
•Special event bus trip in planning stages, no regular meeting
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Growing Black Pine for Bonsai
by Brent Walston

I am always giving this subject a lot of thought. I consider the training of black pines, Pinus thunbergii, to be one of the most difficult aspects of bonsai, as well as one of the slowest goals to achieve. After over fifteen years of playing with them, I am only now beginning to get to the ramification stage, and I emphasize 'beginning'. Of course I am not talking about one inch trunk Shohin here, but full blown three inch trunk monsters like you see in the books. Most of the finest ones I have had the privilege to see have been in training for approximately fifty years or more. This seems to be the general minimum age for really fine trees. I think it can be done faster than that, but it is still a long term struggle, not the least of which is the learning curve.

I have now classified the techniques into three basic categories. These are based on the physiology of the plant's growth response to pruning. Understanding the response to pruning gives you the tools to design and train your tree.

> CONTINUED

Other Events
June 23-24 Oakland, California
California Suiseki Society: 13th Annual Suiseki Exhibition “The Japanese Art of Stone Appreciation,” at the Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave.  Hours are 10AM-5PM both days.   Free Admission.  Sales of suiseki, stones, stands, books, and related items.  For information, call Toby Trezona (925) 895-9793, email at ttsolar@eathlink.net or Felix Rivera (510) 527-6255, or email at felixr@dnai.com.

June 30 - July 4  San Rafael, California
Marin Bonsai Club: Bonsai Show at the Marin Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, Marin County Fairgrounds, Highway 101 (exit N. San Pedro Rd.).  Hours are 11AM-10PM daily. Demo on at 1:30PM on 7/1 and 7/3.  Admission to the Fair is $11 adults, $9 seniors over 65 and children 4 to 12.  Free for children under 4.  For information, call Craig Thompson (415) 472-6685.

June 15, 2007 MEETING
Demonstration and Workshop 7:00– 9:30 Lonnie McCormick will lead a workshop and session on the Care and Training of Black Pines.

Show and Tell will feature your Black Pines as well. You are encouraged to bring a Black Pine species that you may need feedback on and Lonnie and team will help with personalized information.

News

Special Sale Announced - 1 DAY Only
Larry Wittman of 1286 Main (cross street Harrison) in Santa Clara is having a small collection sale. His collection has been tended for 30 years. He has 25 Bonsai and various starter plants, pots, and book for sale. The event will be Saturday, July 7, from 9 AM to 12 Noon. South bay clubs have be notified so if you are curious please arrive in the early hours of this short sale.

August Bus Trip !
Kusamura is collecting fees for the annual bus trip now. The Bus trip will be on August 25th starting at 8 am, gathering at St. Mark's and buss leaves on time, to 6 PM arriving back at St. Mark's. We will visit Sumigawas nursery and growing grounds then go to the Redwood Empire  Bonsai Show where Kathy Shaner will be doing a demonstration, see the large sales area, and enjoy refreshments, door prizes, etc. Bring sun screen, hat, and your bag lunch.  Price of bus is $45 a person and this year must be paid by August 4th. We need 26 prepaid on or before August 4th. If there are not enough people paid then you money is returned. Please contact Barbara Murray  who is collecting the money for the bus trip both at the two meetings and via mail. She will also answer question by phone at 650.321. 7241.  
 
St Mark’s Hall Setup and Clean Up - UPDATE
We want to let you know that we must take extra care at St. Mark’s. Cleaning up carefully is very important. We paid an extra fee to the Church because after our last meeting we left dirt on pews and floor, scuffed up the floor by dragging tables, and not leaving the area broom clean.  

Remember to bring a box and plastic to work in when you bring trees to the meeting.

New Kusamura Board for the ‘07/’08 Season
Kusamura welcomes the new Board of Directors members: Jane Iki, Barbara Murray and Barbara Shahinian. They join President- John Planting, Vice President - Lonnie McCormick, Recording Secretary - Charlene Fischer, Corresponding Secretary – Jerry Carpenter, Treasurer – Paul Thompson, Past President – Stephanie North and returning board members: Helen Reist, Bill Scott and Bang Vo.  The new Board will be installed at the June meeting and take over July 1, 2007.

July 18 will be a Board Meeting combined boards old and new will gather for the transition.

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.

Shed
People with item that need to be taken to the shed should contact Lonnie McCormick for transportation coordination.

New Members and Interested Prospective Members
We extend an invitation to all those who are receiving this newsletter to come and check out our meetings and consider joining our club. We are sending a series of newsletters via USPS mail or electronically to interested people who visited our show. We welcome you all. There are many educational and fun events planned and you can help us make them complete with your continued support.

Special Events
GSBF Collection-North FUN-RAISER
Featuring:
YASUO MITSUYA, Bonsai Master from Japan
Kathy Shaner, Bonsai Master and Curator
June 11, 2007 - June 17, 2007

Pond outside the Northern Collection

The Bonsai Ring

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