toronto bonsai society - founded january, 1964...
TRANSCRIPT
Schedule of eventsMeetings are held at the TBG (Toronto Botanical Gardens), at 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, in the lower auditorium on the west side of building, unless otherwise noted.
Beginner sessions: 6:30 – 7:20
The beginner sessions are held in Studio #2 upstairs. All beginners should take a look at the new TBS Journal section, beginner corner, and visit the BEGINNERS section, under ARCHIVES on the TBS web site.
February: no beginner session - silent auction. (Bring wallet, get deals!)
March: suitable trees for bonsai; how to manage your bonsai collection.
April: essentials of repotting, pruning, wiring, root development.
General meetings: 7:30 – 10:00
February 14: TBS meeting: silent auction. Bring in your donations, help support the club, and clear out the excess in your garage and shed! Since the bidding starts at 7:30, try to arrive by 7:00, and set up your donations with bidding sheets, and please bring in snacks.
March 14: TBS meeting: elm presentation. Workshop: shohin dwarf elm (Ulmus x hollandica 'Jacqueline Hillier'). Cost: $28. Sign up with Cheryl or Linda, (listed on back cover).
April 11: TBS meeting: white spruce forest demo, presented by Norman Haddrick. Workshop: bring your own tree (club wire provided).
May 9: TBS meeting: Marco Invernizzi critique. Got a tree that needs expert attention to become a better bonsai? Bring it in to the master for advice and adjustments.
May 22, 23: TBS spring show. TBG, 8:00: bring in your bonsai, or bonsai in development, accent plants, viewing stones, for display. Contact Mike or Otmar to volunteer your help.
June 13: TBS meeting: Workshop: Shimpaku, Blaauwi juniper workshop. Cost: $30. Contact Cheryl & Linda to register. Bring your own tree workshop, (club wire provided).
Backyard workshops/garden parties: contact your TBS executive, listed on the back page, to offer your backyard for a get together.
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On the cover: stone tree, seen at the January meeting - please send details. Photo by Greg Quinn.
Not a chore, but a pleasureby Mike Roussel
While I have been known to say that I enjoy the “vacation” from my bonsai hobby during the winter, when all my trees are away, the truth is that I really don’t. I would much rather be caring for and working on my trees year-round. That is why I have a few tropical trees (I’d have more if I had the space) and have expanded my cold room in the garage, so I can go in there and do some winter pruning and wiring of my more temperate trees. To me, bonsai is one of the greatest pleasures in my life, never a chore. Well, there is early spring repotting and lately, coming up with a new theme for my president’s messages ...
During the winter, I do a lot of reading, to keep myself engaged in my hobby. Lots of reading! I find myself reading books, magazines and web sites practically every day. My father asked me last weekend if: “I really learn from those magazines? Is there anything much different?” My response of course was that there is always more insight to draw and plans to formulate from what I have read. It never gets boring or tired, even when I read articles I have read numerous times. As Keith Oliver, our TBS librarian, knows, I have been rapidly consuming our newly bound full collection of International Bonsai magazines and look forward to when our Bonsai in California set is bound. One other huge reading event is going to be when Jorge Pereira, our new TBS web master, finishes digitizing every TBS Journal ever produced and makes them available to the club membership via the TBS web site. Putting that together is no small feat! Thanks to Dierk and Sandy Neugebauer, who spent months lovingly assembling and storing the TBS Journal archive for us. There is tons of gold nuggets to be found in those old journals - I just can’t wait to start digging through them.
One such gem I found recently in an old copy of another publication, The Journal of the American Bonsai Society. In the Summer, 1985, Volume 19, Number 2, issue, was an interview of John Naka on the subject of watering bonsai. On the topic of automatic watering systems, John said:
“I definitely don’t like them. If someone has to be away from home for an extended period and doesn’t have someone to water, there might be some redeeming reason. Like I said earlier though, what if it is a day when the trees need more water, or less water? What if the system fails and doesn’t come on? I think it must be an absolute last resort.
For anyone to have an automatic watering system to water routinely when they are not out of town is, to me, ridiculous. Ask that person why they even took up bonsai as a hobby.”
Now here comes the gold:
“Psychologically, watering bonsai is the most pleasurable time of the day. Before or after a hard day’s work you get to see your loving bonsai as you water them. Don’t ever think of watering your bonsai as a chore. It is your pleasure! It is my happiest time of the day. You should water them with your own hands. This is where some of your love is connected to the tree and the tree will return that love to you and show the positive results of your tender care. Many times I come home at midnight from a hard day and am happy, even then, to go out and water my trees.
Wow, how that struck a chord in me and made me wish spring would come sooner. I really couldn’t agree more! Even though I have to get up early in the morning every day before work to do my half hour’s worth of watering, I love it. As John says, it is the best time of day. It is so calming and enjoyable; a great time to meditate and contemplate life too.
My friends and family say bonsai is a lot of work with the watering, wiring, unwiring, transplanting, winter storage, etc., and that it takes me away from other things. I repeat to them that I want to do bonsai and that it is a labor of love, never a chore but my pleasure!
Dierk Neugebauerby Mike Roussel
It was with sadness that I accepted the resignation/retirement of Dierk Neugebauer from the TBS executive in January. Dierk held the office of TBS Journal editor and web master for more than 10 years, positions he carried out with great distinction. The executive will miss his passion for the club, insights and wise recommendations. We greatly appreciate Dierk's many years of dedicated service to the TBS. He most certainly grew to the challenge during that time and now finally gets a chance to spend more time with his bonsai hobby and other pursuits.
Thanks for everything Dierk! See you at the next meeting.
As you read in my president's message, Jorge Pereira has taken over as web master, and already has many ideas on how to improve our web site and the club in general.
Welcome to the fold Jorge! We are glad you decided to become more active in the club.
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Tightening loose endsby Art Hewitt, reprinted from The Journal, October, 1993
There are treatises on bonsai that stress the occult nature of it. For example, you must never have a four-trunk grouping in a grove of bonsai - it's bad luck. I know of several members who actually do have four-trunk bonsai, and nothing (touch wood) untoward has happened to them. Too, the triangular shape of the ideal bonsai foliage silhouette is deemed to represent the symbols of heaven, man and earth - whereas the triangular shape is actually the simplest two-dimensional shape mathematically possible, and Japanese art stresses simplicity.
No, bonsai has nothing occult about it. In fact, if you consider the practitioners, the materials and the audience involved in bonsai, you find that kindness, cooperation and assistance are the watchwords. Are you having difficulty deciding how to style a tree? Ask anyone involved in bonsai, and you will get willing, friendly assistance. Having difficulty with the care of a tree? Ask any bonsaiist about it, and you will be given detailed instructions or be directed to someone who can. Are you a stranger in a strange land? Find a local bonsaiist and make yourself known - you will find instant friendship and a kindred spirit.
Well, there are limits, you know. Ask a bonsaiist where he collected a tree, and he (she) will wave vaguely northwards to an area bounded by Ottawa and Winnipeg, and say, "up north". But, if you ask how to collect, you will get a detailed response, complete with the hand gestures of an accomplished charades player.
You see, there is no competition between bonsaiists. Bonsai are not given red, blue and white ribbons. It is understood that if a tree is not quite presentable this year, then it will be better next year, and even better than that the following year.
You see, bonsai isn't an occult rite: it's a philosophy of life. Of helping your friends. Of giving pleasure to the beholder. Of recognizing character. Of slow, gentle, constant improvement. Of discarding the bad (pruning) and encouraging the good (wiring). Of nurturing (watering, fertilizing). Of providing a healthy environment (light, humidity).
Wouldn't it be nice if everyone were bonsaiists?
All emphasis mine - editor.
Beginner cornerby Greg Quinn
TBS beginners are encouraged to visit the BEGINNERS section, listed under ARCHIVES on the TBS web site, and read the articles written by Bob Wilcox introducing you to the bonsai hobby here in Toronto. For seasonal care advice, the TBS web site has specific monthly care advice for your Toronto bonsai, in the MONTHLY section, also listed under ARCHIVES.
It is worthwhile learning some English bonsai terms, Japanese bonsai terms, and general terms. (Follow the links.)
TBS beginner spring check list:1. Trees: do you have some to practice on? If not:
i) Sign up for workshops with Linda and Cheryl (listed on back cover.)ii) Check for a tree collection this spring, reading Norman Haddrick's "Collecting Trees from Nature"iii) Visit the nearest bonsai nursery (see 'VENDORS' on the TBS web site and Gim Retsinas's article, "Bonsai is Close
Enough to Purchase", from the November, 2006 TBS Journal.iv) Visit your local nursery, after reading Norman Haddrick's "Bonsai From Nursery Stock - Reduction Building", and
Reiner Goebel's demonstration of "Potting Up a Nursery Boxwood", if ready for bonsai treatments. v) Volunteer to help and attend our twice annual TBS Show, and purchase trees in the vendors section.vi) Speak to any TBS member about acquiring trees suitable for bonsai.
2. Bonsai soil: did you know that most people make their own bonsai soil, using various materials and screens for eliminating fine particles? See Mike McCallion's article on this subject, "What is Bonsai Soil?"
3. Tools: do you have what you need to create bonsai? Speak to Robert Dubuc, who runs the club tools desk. He can also advise you about general care, and oiling and sharpening of bonsai tools. There's also a useful carving demo article, by Dierk Neugebauer and Jeff Shortt, "Carving Demo & Clinic."
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TBS beginner spring check list (cont.):
4. Research: have you read the TBS books and looked at pictures of bonsai to know what you like? If not, see our club librarian Keith Oliver to edify yourself. There are a number of bonsai magazines bound, and soon the TBS book list will be on line.
5. Style: have you decided which style your trees will be in? Explore bonsai design using software, see Bob Wilcox's "Creating virtual foliage".
6. Growing seeds and cuttings: a good background activity. Remember that there are no "bonsai seeds", and it takes about 10 years for a tree to get to the size where it will be useful as bonsai. Making cuttings is a good activity when you are pruning your trees, to make a clone, or exact genetic copy, of your tree. Once again, it takes a long time to grow a tree from scratch, and still longer to make it a bonsai. Dierk Neugebauer wrote "Multiplication", and "Propagating Cuttings", dealing with this practice.
7. Bonsai pots: you need to own a number bonsai pots to get the right one for your bonsai. John Biel's article, The Right Pot?, explores that all important decision.
8. Bonsai stands: yes, you need these too, if you intend to show your bonsai in home or at the TBS Show. Some of the Sean Smith black walnut bonsai stands are still available for purchase from the club.
9. Shitakusa/Kusamono: these are herbaceous plants for the bonsai show, or to be enjoyed on their own. Shitakusa are accent plants, to complement your woody bonsai, and kusamono are meant to contrast. Jean Charing has written an excellent article on the subject, after her trip to the Symposium in Rochester, "Shitakusas, or Complementary Plants". They have their own pots, too. Ask any senior or executive member for guidance.
Editorialby Greg Quinn
Less is more in bonsai, especially in suiseki. But we did get a lot more than we bargained for when Arthur Skolnik and Jeff Shortt rocked us with their presentation on suiseki at the last TBS meeting.
Dealing with several cultural histories, Japanese art theory and aesthetic terms, eastern philosophy, and the problems westerners have appreciating eastern arts, Arthur brought us high on the understanding curve. The understanding of some suiseki terms, in particular, is important: yugen (profound grace and subtlety); wabi (transient and stark beauty); sabi (the beauty of natural patina and aging); shibui (simple and subtle beauty); mono no aware (awareness of transient things). My favourite was "shibui", since it deals with the beauty in ordinary everyday objects.
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Arthur Skolnik and Jeff Shortt examine this suiseki.
In the critique that followed, Jeff and Arthur held up and demonstrated some of the features to look for when appreciating stones. Shape, colour, movement, texture, and your own gut feeling all decide the worth of the stone. Since the planet we are living on is mostly stone, with a thin layer of organic material, their arguments for the appreciation of stone carried some weight.
Suiseki can suggest mountains, lakes, waterfalls, animals, huts, and trees - almost anything. And the dynamic relationship between the viewer and the stone is important. What you see in a stone, and what a stone reveals to you is completely unique.
Thank you to everyone who made the effort to bring their viewing stones in to the meeting, and to Arthur and Jeff, who generously donated their time and effort presenting, displaying, and imparting their passion for suiseki.
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Outside the club:
June 16 - 19: ABS/BCI Symposium: bonsai in the bluegrass, in Louisville, Kentucky.
November 17 - 27: BCI Grand Bonsai Tour Japan. Osaka, Kyoto, and Taikan-Ten, western Japan's most prestigious show.
TBS announcements
Thanks, Arthur and Jeff
Arthur Skolnik and Jeff Shortt put a great deal of effort into their presentation on suiseki (soo-i-seh-ki), and it showed. As if we didn't think that stones make the scene! Thanks for all your efforts getting us into the viewing stone mood. We'll never look at mountains, huts, waterfalls, animals and minerals in the same way again.
Good bye, and thanks, Dierk
Our web-master, and former editor of the TBS Journal, Dierk Neugebauer, is leaving his position, to be replaced by Jorge Pereira. Thanks Dierk, for all your dedication and hard work over the years! It was Dierk who set up our TBS web site.
Welcome, Jorge! Please forward your ideas for our web site by email to Jorge (email address listed on back page.)
The return of the TBS tokonoma
Our very own club tokonoma is back in action, after being re-furbished by Robert Dubuc and Lilly Tsirulnikov. Who will be the first to have their bonsai displayed there at the spring show?
Thanks Robert and Lilly for sticking with this project.
TBS elections
This is an election year for us, so consider entering your name for a position on the TBS Executive. This need not be an entire portfolio, but just some involvement. Please let Greg Quinn know of your interest by the end of February. The vote will be held in June.
Bonsai - not for profit
The TBS has decided to go the route of a "not-for-profit" corporation in order to get discounts and sponsorship money. The benefits are that we will have more money and resources for shows, guest speakers, better materials, pots, and everything that our club funds.
In this matter, we need guidance from members who have a legal or accounting background, or know from experience what kind of support would be useful to make our application successful. Contact Mike Roussel or Otmar Sauer if you can make a contribution.
Finished bonsai stands available for purchase
There are several finished walnut bonsai stands, from the Sean Smith workshop, available for purchase from the club for $100.00. Contact Linda or Cheryl to purchase.
Tree collection
If you know of any sites where club members can get permission to dig up trees suitable for bonsai, please let anyone on the TBS executive know.
One easy indicator is when you see a rezoning application sign on a property, which means that it will soon be developed, or, in lay terms, totally dug up. The owner will often give permission for tree digging ahead of the excavation crews.
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Walnut bonsai stand, 10.5"x14.5".
Regular TBS meetingsMeetings take place on the second Monday of every month, except July and August, at the Toronto Botanical Gardens, located at 777 Lawrence Avenue East, at Leslie Street, in the auditorium on the west side of the building at 7:30 p.m. The general meetings frequently include: demonstrations of bonsai techniques, critiques of bonsai trees, and workshops, in which each participant styles a tree with the help of an experienced member. These meetings are preceded at 6:30 p.m. by the Beginner sessions, held upstairs.
A small fee is charged for workshops, and a tree, wire and instructor are provided. To participate in workshops, it is necessary to register in advance of the meeting so that materials can be provided.
Members are encouraged to bring in bonsai to show and work on during the meetings. Wire is provided at no charge. Non-members may attend a meeting at no charge to see if the club is of interest to them.
Library hours and policyThe library is open to members at the beginning of our regular meetings. Members may borrow books free of charge for one month. Late returns cost $2 per month with a minimum charge of $2. Please return all materials the next month, and before summer.
Membership deskThe membership desk will be open at all meetings. The opening time may be extended for the first fall meeting to assist with renewals. You may also register for workshops there.
Tools & suppliesTools and supplies are sold by the club at most meetings. It is a good idea to contact the executive member in advance of the meeting for specific tools and supplies.
TBS executive:President:Mike [email protected]
Vice-president:Otmar [email protected]
Web-master:Jorge [email protected]
Treasurer:Jean [email protected]
Editor/publisher:Greg [email protected]
Tools & supplies:Rob [email protected]
Membership secretary:Linda Chevrier, Cheryl [email protected]
New member host:Karen [email protected]
Recording secretary:Barbara [email protected]
Past-president:Mike [email protected]
Librarian:Keith [email protected]
Members at large:Bob [email protected]
Lilly [email protected]
Rick [email protected]
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The JOURNAL was founded in January, 1964, is published monthly, except July & August, and exists to further the study, practice, promulgation, and fellowship of bonsai.
Visit the Toronto Bonsai Society’s website at:
www.torontobonsai.org
Toronto Bonsai SocietyP.O. Box 155Don Mills, OntarioM3C 2S2