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BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 JANUARY 2015
Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
Bonsai Society of Dallas
Message from the President
Happy 2015! Here we are at the start of a fresh new year. For our
household it has been a very busy non-stop turn of events from
December 12th to January 4th. We will miss out on the January meeting
as we will just be settling back home after a long drive from Disney
World; a little tired but a much needed family break!
That doesn't mean we've forgotten about you! This month we will have
an interesting grafting program with Se Sihongheune. Our annual
buying trip to Dallas Bonsai was to happen right after our program, but
now it will be an online event. Please see details further in the
newsletter. Later in the month on the 24th, we have our club dig. It is
the only one scheduled this year so you won’t want to miss it. It is a
busy January and a great way to start off the New Year with lots more to
come; so don't forget to renew your membership to participate.
I’m also happy to share that we have our dates for our upcoming bonsai
show. We will have it the weekend of March 14th
& 15th
at North Haven
Gardens. Please mark your calendar as we will need a team effort for
set-up, staffing throughout the two days, and tear down on Sunday late
afternoon.
So, what's my New Year's Bonsai Resolution? Education and
Refinement! Howard and I have been busy updating our personal
workshops and club study groups. As a board member, I can report that
our Board has been busy making sure we have a full year of excellent
programs. I hope you'll be happy with the results and educational
opportunities that your Board has put together for 2015. Keep reading
your newsletters for the latest!
So, what's your New Year's Bonsai Resolution? How will you improve
your bonsai in 2015? Food for thought my bonsai friends.
See you in February!
Sylvia
Monthly Member Newsletter January 2015
IN THIS ISSUE:
Message from the President
March Program
Club Rio Vista Dig in Review
Upcoming Events
Events Elsewhere
March Bonsai – Tips and
Advice
January Meeting in Review
LSBF Convention Update
BSD BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sylvia Smith, President [email protected] Paul Muraida, Vice President, Program Chair [email protected] Chuck Talley, Treasurer [email protected] Diane Lowe, Secretary [email protected] Jerry Riley, Member Relations [email protected] John Miller, President Emeritus [email protected] Les Porter, Newsletter Editor [email protected]
Mary Polk, Member at Large [email protected] Hiram Quinones, Member at Large [email protected]
Board of Directors
Sylvia Smith, President [email protected]
Greg Brewer, Vice President, Program Chair [email protected]
Diane Lowe, Secretary [email protected]
Jerry Riley, Treasurer [email protected]
John Miller, President Emeritus [email protected]
Kyle Downing, Membership Chair [email protected]
Todd Hang, Newsletter Editor [email protected]
Mary Polk, Member at Large [email protected]
Bill Muto, Member at Large [email protected]
Howard Smith, LSBF Delegate [email protected]
In This Issue
Message from the
President
January Program
Upcoming Events
January Bonsai – Tips and
Advice
Club Dig – How to Dig
December Program in
Review
January To-Do List
Link of the Month
Beginner’s Bulletin Board
BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 JANUARY 2015
Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
January Program
Grafting Techniques
January 3rd
, 9:00 – Noon
Improving bonsai takes
time, but what if you could
speed up the development
of your tree or improve its
quality and value? That's
exactly what this month's
meeting will cover.
The techniques for grafting
can be used to introduce
new branches to your trees, improve the look and girth of the
nebari, grow weaker trees on stronger root stock and improve the
growth and life of your tree. It can also be used to propagate bonsai
via air layering or veneer grafts.
Our guest artist Se
(pronounced "Say")
Sihonghuene has been
grafting well over ten years,
so don't let his young age fool
you, he really is an expert! Se
has worked for many years
with our local maple nursery,
Metro Maples, grafting hundreds of maple varieties. He grafts
Arakawa pine yearly in his back yard and can often be seen
working with Ray Hernandez at his bonsai nursery. He was last in
Dallas in 2009 and we're glad he's back to teach us more about
grafting.
Members are encouraged to bring trees to
add grafts or they can buy a seedling to graft
at the meeting. Bring your own tools or just
come in and learn about grafting.
Experienced members are encouraged to
stick around and help our newer members.
Upcoming
Events
Saturday, January, 3rd
, 9 – Noon
Grafting Techniques
Saturday, January, 3rd
, - 24 hour
online sale
Saturday, January 24th
Club Dig – Campbell, TX
Saturday, February 7th, 9 – Noon
Study Group with Bonsai Smiths
Saturday, March 7th, 9 – Noon
Forest Planting Demo
March 14th Weekend
BSD Exhibition
February 1st – 18
th
Kokufu-ten
Tokyo, Japan
February 14th – 15
th
Noelander’s Trophy
Brussels, Belgium
May 9th – 10
thh
Michigan All State Bonsai Show
Grand Rapids, MI
May 16th – 17
th
Midwest Bonsai Society Show
Chicago, IL
May 21st – 24
th
Brussels Rendezvous
Olive Branch, MS
June 11th – 15
th
ABS Symposium
Washington, DC
July 18th – 19
th
Columbus Bonsai Society Show
Columbus, OH
September 26th - 28
th
Artisans Cup of Portland
Portland, Oregon
Events
Elsewhere
BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 JANUARY 2015
Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
Club Buying Trip
January 3rd
– Online 24 Hour Discount
We are sorry to say that our friend and long time
club member Fred Meyer is ‘under the weather’
with the flu. Our group is a bit too large for his
able assistant Brandon to handle all by himself, so
instead they will accommodate us by using their
very successful online business model. They are
extending to us a one-time 24 hour discount code
to get 20% off your order. This only applies to
January 3rd
and only to current BSD club
members; yet another reason to get your 2015
club dues in by the first of the year.
If you would like to pick up your purchase, they
can have it ready on the following Monday or
they can ship your items to you under their normal
shipping terms, which are $5.95 for purchases up
to $75.00 and no charge for orders above that.
The Coupon Code is BONSAICLUB2015.
So sit back and relax while you shop for all your
bonsai tools supplies. The code will only be
active 24 hours on January 3rd
.
As always, thanks Fred and Brandon! Hope you
feel better soon Fred.
Club Dig – 2015
Saturday, January 24th
at 8:30 a.m. (weather delay Feb 21st
)
Campbell, TX
Our 2015 dig is fast approaching and hopefully the weather will cooperate. What you will find are some
nice deciduous trees, especially cedar elm and a few other species. Many are growing in small groups that
will make excellent forest material. The address is 2412 State Hwy 50, Campbell, TX (it is also called State
Hwy 24 sometimes). While that is the physical property address, access to the property is from the back, so
follow these directions.
Go east on I-30
Take exit 101 towards Commerce
Drive approximately 4 ½ miles, then turn left onto 2736
Go a little over 1 ½ miles, and turn left of 4205
Continue on this gravel road for .6 miles - turn left just past the large yellow farm house
Go .8 miles and the gate will be in front of you at the bend in the road
Drive through the gate and go up the dirt road until you reach the house/barn. We will have a warm spot for
a midday break so be sure to pack a lunch and water. If you plan to attend please RSVP to Diane at
[email protected] by January 22nd
. In case of bad weather or any last minute details or change of
plans an email update will be sent.
BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 JANUARY 2015
Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
January Bonsai
Tips and Advice
By John Miller
You should be looking at the blog of Jonas Dupuich
at bonsaitonight.com. Starting in November Jonas
has been doing articles on pest control with some
great pictures. Be sure to click on the major
references he gives. The latest (Dec 16) is on the
spider mite and his cousins. The next 5 weeks
should be good for dormant oil and lime sulphur
dormant sprays, especially so if you had any
problem last year. Kill the over-wintering eggs,
pupae, or adults. Be sure what you use is labeled for
your species of tree and to follow label instructions
carefully.
It would be nice to be able to put your trees into 2 or
3 groups--outdoor trees, indoor trees, flowering
trees. But nature has not done anything so simple.
Some outdoor trees survive a lot of cold and others
want to go dormant but can’t have their roots frozen
at all. Your job is to learn their foibles and work
around them.
In general, you start by knowing that deciduous
trees will go dormant and stay that way until
something awakens them. Some are temperature
sensitive, they go dormant when the temperature
drops in the fall and awaken when they get warm.
These should be kept in a shady area to keep them
cool. Others are sensitive in the change in day
length: they go dormant when daylight gets short
and will break buds when they sense the days
getting longer. These are not so hard to care for.
Evergreens do not go fully dormant. They slow
their processes but still use sunlight and some
nutrients. However they still need their roots
protected to prevent alternate freezing and thawing.
All outdoor trees, both deciduous and evergreen,
need to have their soil moisture maintained and their
roots protected from deep freezes. Since their sap
flow is diminished, they cannot replace moisture lost
to winds so they should be protected from a lot of
wind. The plants can be protected by using ground
heat to minimize the low and high temps. Set the
pots on the ground and cover with mulch.
For those with tropicals care at this time depends on
your facilities for giving them heat and light, the two
things usually in short supply in January. I merely
try to keep mine alive with the greenhouse at 50
degrees. Be sure to monitor them for aphids and
other problems. They do not get enough light to
actively grow anyway. When the mame size shohin
elms have had a month of dormancy I bring them
into the greenhouse before the temperatures get to
the lower twenties. They respond by starting growth
so I have them for ’soul food’ through January.
Styling can be done at this time but no repotting
unless you are going to keep the tree from freezing
after that. Repotting initiates new root development
which is usually not very hardy.
A better approach would be to study one or two
thoroughly each day making notes on what needs to
be done. January is an excellent time to start any
remodeling projects that may be necessary. While
the trees are dormant you have a better view of the
branch structure. Do any need to be moved or
removed? Do any coarse branches need to be cut
back to a smaller side branch for refinement? Do
any long straight branches need wiring to give them
motion? Does the tree really need a drastic
redesign? You can also trim the twigs back while
you have them there. You can also decide if that
tree will need to be repotted this spring, is the
present pot good or should you find a more
appropriate pot for it.
Tender or tropical trees that are kept indoors will be
using more water to offset the lower humidity. Soil
will also be losing water faster through its surface.
Be sure to watch the indoor trees for insect
problems. Most plant insects love a controlled
atmosphere like the indoors. Spider mites seem to
get the most attention here because they do great in
a low humidity and the lack of foliage spraying.
Scale can be an easily overlooked source of trouble.
The flat green kind can be hard to spot on the
underside of leaves or tight against the stem. Indoor
trees need to be fertilized regularly and will require
periodic trimming as they continue to grow through
the winter.
Again bonsaitonight.com will help you understand
what to do. Jonas prefers the organic approach but
covers other methods as well.
BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 JANUARY 2015
Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
.
December Program in Review
Bonsai Exhibitions and Display
There was a loud round of applause after Sylvia
finished her program. It was with good reason,
because we were treated to an excellent presentation
on this topic. However we left with so much more.
By teaching us how to evaluate and judge trees for a
bonsai show, she inspired us to develop our eye to
evaluate our own trees, and more importantly potential
trees we might add to our collection.
In her own words, let’s gain a new perspective about
bonsai shows. Sylvia says “I often have people ask
me why we make such a fuss about putting on a show.
Sure, it's pretty and it's a good social gathering time
but it's a lot of work! I often hear comments like:
I don't have anything worthy of being in a show, so I guess this doesn't really pertain to me.
Why all the fuss about doing this the ‘Japanese way’.
Seems a little bit haughty-taughty to have stands and companions and perfect moss.
Well, I'll help but it's not for me, I like my trees the way they are.
She goes on to say, “If you look at a show for its bottom line purpose,
it's just a means to an end. Perhaps your perspective is you have been
growing trees for X amount of years and now you want to share one
of your trees to show it off. But even beyond that, how about
inspiring others with species ideas or a new found love for growing
bonsai because of the beauty of your trees? Or further, what if it
inspires you to improve your tree(s) or collection because you were
inspired by someone else's tree or ideas about your tree? Here is how
I see bonsai shows: As a format to inspire ideas to others, to share
those ideas and improve your trees and art form year after year. Just
like all things in life, if you stop learning you stop growing and even
old dogs can learn new tricks if we're open minded! So why not make
it a goal to have at least one show ready tree? Why not learn the
aesthetics of putting on a good semi formal show inspired by Japanese culture? Why not have an artistic venue for
display that creates that peaceful feeling that we all enjoy when working on our trees?”
“I've been in bonsai for 20 years now and if I still did trees they
way I did them when I started, I wouldn't have much of a
collection or many live trees. We all start via trial and error but
we don't have to perpetuate that kind of bonsai care. Here is what
I think of when putting on a show: Trees are set up in a show to
create a feeling and inspire others. Judging trees is not meant to
inspire competition but to improve our eyes to see structure and
not just silhouette or flowers. In turn this helps us choose better
trees when we buy or collect them. This also requires us to learn
more about our tree species so that we are able to achieve better
taper and development. In turn this inspires us to learn more
about development techniques and then by default our new found
knowledge helps our trees look better. Then suddenly we ALL
Todd assists Sylvia set up the presentation
BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 6 JANUARY 2015
Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
own at least one show ready tree. Now
imagine your collection just after 5 years of
that kind of thinking and learning…….all
inspired by putting on a bonsai show! Food
for thought…….”
Speaking of food, the board members came
together and treated us to an abundant spread
of coffee, tea, and all kinds of goodies.
Thanks to everyone who pitched in and help
bring us our annual holiday cheer. We all left
with a satisfied sweet tooth, a better
appreciation for bonsai shows, and an
eagerness to come together to create a great
one.
And now we have the date: March 14th
and 15th
. Mark your calendars, spread the word, and think about how you
will participate.
Tip of the Month
Securing a Tree in a Grow Pot
Terracotta pots are a great choice for a grow pot. It
is much better than plastic or mica because it
naturally allows the passage of air so that moisture
can penetrate and evaporate. However most only
come with a single hole at the bottom so it can be
difficult to secure a tree properly. A masonry drill bit
may allow you to create extra holes without it
breaking, but another way is to use a ‘dead-man’.
Copper wire is your best choice as it is strong
without being too thick. Form a similar shape to the
picture then secure multiple #2 aluminum wire to it
to tie your tree in securely.
L to R – Howard, Diane, Kyle, John, and Jerry share a little holiday cheer
Photos Courtesy of Lance Williamson
BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 7 JANUARY 2015
Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
Club Dig – January 24th
How to Dig / Keeping it Alive
In last month’s newsletter you can read all about the
tools and supplies to bring on a dig. This month we
will review the best way to dig a tree as well as the
aftercare to give it the best chance to survive. One of
the best ways to begin is to pair up with a fellow club
member and help each other. Teamwork makes it
easier for both of you.
We start by looking patiently for just the right tree. As
our friend John Miller always tells us, try to only look
at the bottom six inches of the tree as you consider if it
will make a good bonsai. For the most part, the rest
will go away and be replaced with new branches as
you develop it. Resist the urge to rush to dig early and
dig often. That will result in a lot of work and very
little to show for your effort in the coming years.
Perhaps as you look you may find one of interest.
Look down below the soil line and evaluate the root
flare. Does it still hold your interest? Tag it and keep
looking until you have several to consider and pick
from. It is better to go home with one good tree (or
none at all) than several mediocre options dug hastily.
While you search for your tree, also look at the ground
for nice companion plants. This is the perfect time to
collect them, especially with our show coming up in
March.
Digging Once you have decided on your tree, start by clearing
the area around the root base as well as your work
area. You will be bringing a lot of soil up and out of
the ground so you need plenty of room. Prune back
the long branches to get the tree into a manageable
size and loosely
secure remaining
branches to protect
them. Visualize it as
a balled and
burlaped tree you
would find at a
nursery as that is the
end goal. The most
important thing is to
get it dug and
secured for transport
without breaking the
root ball. This will ensure the greatest chance of its
survival.
Determine the radius of
the root ball and begin to
dig straight down and
outward, never getting
any closer to the trunk
from that radius line as
you dig. Keep going
down and create a wide
trench all the way around.
It needs to be wide so that
when you reach the right
depth, you have enough
room to begin to excavate under the root ball. During
the time you are digging down never dig toward the
trunk or in any way try to lift the root ball. This will
cause the root ball to fall apart and you might as well
fill the hole and start somewhere else.
Once you have it at the right depth, turn your shovel
backwards and begin to round out the base of your ball
toward the trunk. Work all the way around until you
have the shape of a ball, never trying to lift the tree.
At a certain point
you will want to
shift to hand tools to
figure out what
stands in your way
of freeing the ball.
It most likely will be
a large root or two
in which case you
will reach for your
loppers or hand saw
to make the cut. But
first, secure the ball
with cellophane wrap or duct tape to hold it together.
Have burlap, tarp, or a strong plastic bag handy to use
as a sling to roll the root ball onto to get at the root still
holding it to the ground.
Once severed, roll it back further, wrap more tape
around it to incorporate the bottom of the ball, then
spread the burlap fully underneath and lay back into
BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 8 JANUARY 2015
Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
the hole. This will allow you and a buddy to grab each
end of the burlap and lift the root ball out of the hole.
Now that you have it up and out of the ground secure
the root ball for transport by wrapping it as tightly as
possible so it does not break apart. Twine over the
burlap is the way the pros do it. Backfill the hole with
all the loosened soil and tamp down to restore the area
close to its original condition. We want to make sure
we don’t create a hazard for something or someone
who comes walking along after we are gone.
After Care / Keeping it Alive
Once home it is important to get your new tree
settled into a container or box and surrounding it
with good bonsai soil. Be sure the container has
good drainage holes. Line the bottom with
several inches of bonsai soil and lay the root ball
inside to be sure it is deep enough for the root
ball. Unwrap and expose the root ball. If any of
the exposed roots have jagged cuts from your
shovel or mattock, a clean sharp cut with a bonsai
tool would be good. Any exposed roots need to
get settled into soil and insulated from the cold.
Fill in around the root ball well, tamping down
gently as you fill. Be sure that plenty of branches
have been cut back to off-set the loss of roots.
Think in terms of balance; you removed a lot of
roots when you dug the tree, so be sure to remove
the above ground growth with equal proportion so
the remaining roots can sustain the tree’s future
growth. If necessary secure the tree with guy
wires to keep it from moving.
Once planted find a shady spot near ground level,
preferably out of the wind, and water well. Be
sure the pot is elevated sufficiently to allow for
drainage. After that, keep it watered but leave it
alone and let the tree recover throughout the next
growing season, only moving it in the spring to a
suitable location into appropriate light for that
species. In the following year’s repotting season
you can begin to work the root ball down in size
and incorporate good bonsai soil; half in the first
year and the other half in the second year.
Patience is a virtue to ensure its long term
success!
Diagrams and content provided by Mark Bynum
LSBF Updates
For the first time, states outside of the LSBF have joined our federation. Lake
Charles and Baton Rouge Bonsai Societies are now members of the LSBF.
Owen Reich will be our traveling artist in 2015. Exact dates should be available in
the next 1 - 2 months.
LSBF is moving forward to have a symposium in the fall of 2015 in Houston, since
this is now the new approximate geographic center of the LSBF. We will have one
special headliner giving lectures and demos on the topics of bunjin and bonsai
display.
BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 9 JANUARY 2015
Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
There are no ‘dumb’ questions when you are a beginner at any new endeavor. However sometimes beginners are reluctant to ask a question in a monthly meeting. Got a question? Send it to Diane at [email protected] for an individual response. Your question may also appear anonymously here in a future issue so that others can learn.
Question: What is raffia and when do I need to use it? Answer: Raffia is a grass-like plant material commonly found in most craft and garden centers. It is often used in bonsai to assist
with the bending of large branches. It is wrapped tightly around the branch before the wire is applied and it helps to minimize the possibility of breaking the branch. It also helps to prevent the tearing of the bark tissue during the bending process. The raffia is typically soaked in water for about 30 minutes to soften it. This creates some elasticity to the raffia. Several strands are then grouped together and carefully wound tightly in a single flat layer around the length of the branch. As the raffia dries, it will also shrink and tighten slightly, giving the branch more support. Wire is then applied, typically multiple lengths, to ensure a strong bend is possible. The dampness of the raffia also helps to heal any small fissures created in the bark as a result of a drastic bend.
Jonas Dupuich is a Northern California bonsai enthusiast. He studies and writes about bonsai with guidance from Boon Manakitivipart, and is a founding member of Bay Island Bonsai. His blog called Bonsai Tonight is an alternative to mainstream bonsai media and he typically posts twice a week with interesting information. Check out his recent post on pests which John Miller cites in his article above.
http://bonsaitonight.com/?s=pests
Could it be aphids????
Link of the Month
Are you a Facebook user? Our club has a Facebook page. Let’s get active and let more people know about our great organization.
January’s To-Do List
This is a simple monthly checklist for those enthusiasts who have the knowledge and skill required to perform the tasks listed. It is intended to tell you ‘what’ to do, not ‘how and why” to do it. Want to know more? Send in any questions you might have or come to any monthly program to discuss further.
All Species
Water as needed and keep from freezing
Deciduous
Only repot trees whose leaf buds are beginning to
swell; protect from freezing thereafter
Light pruning can be done now (use sealant); delay
heavy pruning until spring
Evergreen/Conifer
Repotting can begin now, but protect from freezing
thereafter
Delay fertilization until 4 – 6 weeks after repotting
Flowering/Fruit Repotting can be done now while trees are still
slightly dormant; avoid if currently in flower
Trimming should be done after flowering (use
sealant); buds can be sacrificed every other year to
achieve better ramification
Tropical Winter precautions still in effect – no repotting
Boost humidity if kept indoors
Beginner’s Bulletin Board
9, 8, 7, 6
BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 10 JANUARY 2015
www.benttreebonsai.blogspot.com
www.bonsaismiths.net
Howard and Sylvia Smith
www.BonsaiSmiths.net • Cultivators of fine trees [email protected] • Collection maintenance Tel# (972) 754-9883 • Private instruction Fax# (972) 661-0694 • Classes, lectures & demos
www.hfimports.com
www.dallasbonsai.com
www.timeless-trees.com
www.benttreebonsai.blogspot.com
www.hfimports.com
BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 11 JANUARY 2015
Bonsai Society of Dallas www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
Membership Form
Please mail to:
Bonsai Society of Dallas
P.O. Box 836922
Richardson, TX 75083-6922
Or bring to any club meeting
Bonsai Society of Dallas meets on the first (1st) Saturday of each month.
Time: 9:00 AM
Place: North Haven Garden Center
7700 Northaven Road
Dallas, TX
Name(s): ______________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
City: ________________________________ State: ___________________ Zip: ___________________
Telephone: _________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________________
Date: ______________________________
New Membership Individual Membership: $25.00
Renewal Membership Joint Membership: $30.00
Include me in the membership roster Exclude me from the membership roster
Do Not Cut: For Treasurer Use
Member Receipt
Name: ________________________________________ Membership Year _____________________________
Amount Paid: ______________ Date: ___________________ Received By: __________________________
For the convenience of our membership a roster is published for members only in March of each year.
Please check the appropriate box if you do not wish to be included