Special Meeting
March 11, 2005
7:00-10p.m. Jim Gremel
This will be a two-part meeting presented by Jim Gremel. The first part will be a demonstration on a cascade cedar illustrating techniques for severe bending of older material. The demo tree will be part of the benefit drawing.
The second part will be a workshop session for those who have one of Jim's Yamadori style trees. He will show next steps. Jim will also have pots and wire for sale. His wire prices will go up with his next shipment, so this is a good time to buy wire from him.
April Meeting
This will be our annual meeting on show preparation of plants, pots, and how to set up your display.
This year we will again have assigned display spaces. There will be maps at the March meeting with sign-up sheets.
By now you should have a good idea of what trees you want to show and have been grooming the tree, the pot, and the "landscape" surrounding your plant. Yes, I do understand that something could pop out the week before the show that is just too wonderful not to show. If you must present one of these, make sure it looks as complete as possible. We do have an in-progress room for newly styled trees and those trees beginning to show their potential.
Book Sale
Kusamura Bonsai Club would like to announce a
sale of wonderful old bonsai books and magazines.
We have some rare books, several first editions,
a few signed.
All were donated by former members Joe Clepp,
Tom Refvem and Pete and Amy Sugawara. This sale is
raising funds for our club.
To see the collection click
here.
February Meeting Recap
The club put a good dent into styling junipers that were donated to the club last year. We had a good turnout. All the donated trees went home with assorted club members. Some returned the following Sunday at the potting party to either continue styling or to be potted.
Last Potting Party
The last potting party is March 13, 2005 again, hosted by the ever-so-gracious Plantings. We need to do set up and clean up for them to show our gratitude. Anyone who participates in a club potting party gets a raffle ticket for each attendance. At the April meeting there will be a special drawing for this prize.
Show Logistics
We still need someone to take charge of the kitchen and in-progress room. Also volunteers to sell raffle tickets. If I have already twisted your arm for these jobs, please let me know, memory is the first thing to go.
Please sign up for a table. There are 41 formal display areas, the stump display, and the in progress room. Sign up at meeting.
Other Info
Adapted from Golden Statements articles by Mitsuo Umehara
(Translated by Hideko Metaxas)
See also--
From A Year of Bonsai Tips by Jim Ransohoff
SPRING -- RENEWAL TIME... REACTIVATE EVERYTHING!
By Marty Mann
Spring is the time of renewal. It's time to take stock of your trees, whether in pots or still in training stages. Review their future. It's time to resume a regular schedule of fertilization since the nutrients in the soil have been leached during the dormant winter months. Bud swelling, the sign of spring awakening, begins to show and repotting time is upon us.
Last month was the time to ready repotting supplies -- a well-drained soil mix, clean pots, supplies of insecticides and fungicides, etc. etc. Now is time for a repotting schedule -- before the buds really open up. Finish your activity before the leaves begin to show. This timing applies primarily to deciduous and flowering trees. Evergreens and conifers such as junipers, fir, spruce, and pines can follow. If the tree has begun to flower or develop fruit, delay repotting until after blooming. Until the plants become re-established, water cautiously
Don;t overdo your fertilizing. It's a common mistake to consider the idea that a little good is better if more is applied. Repotted plants may be fed as soon as signs of new growth are apparent. A suggested standard mix is 75% cottonseed meal/ 25% bone meal. Trees may also be given an interim push by using a liquid food like Miracle Gro(R) between regular monthly feedings.
Winter dormancy is over. Bring your trees out of their winter protection from cold winds. Deciduous trees may show the first signs of bud breaking. Keep an eye on any fast-growing branches that quickly create elongated internodes. Light pruning of growing tips is in order to control this situation, however do not do any serious trimming until the new growth has hardened. Maintain the shape of the tree as the branches begin to grow. Twiggy branching will be the benefit of regular pinching. Watch for wire scars that may have developed during the past few months.
As each new shoot develops, determine if it is to play a part in your overall design plan. If you need a longer branch -- let it grow. If you need more twiggyness or fullness, cut the shoots back to two or three sets of leaves. New shoots develop from the cut areas. Don't allow the tree to spend its energy growing unwanted shoots.
Some transplanting and repotting activities may have begun last month but do most of the traumatic replanting work before the growth develops. As warmer weather arrives, the root systems will begin to push new hair roots. Repotting at this time prevents excessive damage to the existing root ball.
Newly potted trees should be shaded from direct sun until new growth begins. By moving your trees into sunny areas you stimulate the growth of foliage. Newly potted trees should be allowed to develop new fine rootage that support new foliage. When new growth is evident it's time to begin light fertilization. Full sun encourages smaller leaves and shorter internodes.
Take the opportunity in March to change from training pots or oversized pots to appropriate display pots suitable to the finished bonsai. Determine the best size, shape, color, and style to complement your tree. Showtime is coming!
A bonsai, to be ready for repotting, should be somewhat dry. This makes it easier to remove the root ball from its previous home where it became root bound. When repotting a healthy plant be sure to remove heavy roots that have circled the old pot. If roots are cut back, some of the foliage can be trimmed to compensate for the tree's inability to move nutrients to the branches and leaves. Don't allow exposed roots to dry out. Keep them misted and, if possible, cover them with a slurry of soil dust as a protective coating.
Plan your repotting activity around the following guidelines:
- Very old trees (15 years or more) -- repot every 3 to 6 years
- Younger trees (5 to 20 years) -- repot every 2 to 4 years
- Young trees (less than 5 years -- repot every 1 or 2 years.
In every case, the decision to repot should be governed by the health of the tree, the condition of its root mass, and its growing conditions.
Remember,
The early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese.
For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism.
Doesn't this seem to apply to bonsai? The best way to escape your problem is to solve it.
Marty Mann
Ode to a Bonsai
I take liberties with you
That would frighten a lover
Using my fingers to probe
Your very roots
Shortening and holding your arms
In place with wires
I step back
And admire your beauty
Copyright 3-2-05 by the Poetess Kitsune Miko
