It has been a slow start to spring, with frequent rain (not unusual this year) and cooler temperatures. However, be mindful that watering should now be done daily, unless rain occurs. Check after a downpour that the soil is moist and the rain has penetrated the soil, as showers combined with wind may mean that […]
Don’t we all have pots like this or am I just weird? One of the downsides (?) of being a bonsai enthusiast is the tendency to collect pots for which you have no tree, not now, often never. This translates to a pot collection greater than the number of trees you have. Still, you won’t
The most commonly asked question that I get asked everywhere I go is how to grow azaleas. Here is a repeat (a revised edition) of the things that I do, with success, on how to grow and get these beautiful shrubs to flower and keep alive. I keep hearing, ‘I had an azalea but it
What a fantastic demonstration from Brenda Parker last month. An expert on azaleas, Brenda explained everything one needs to know, from history to care to surprising facts, about this beautiful flowering species. Did you know that all parts of the azalea is poisonous? Kindly Brenda has allowed us to publish her excellent and detailed article
Joe Margan-Payler: Nichigo Bonsai
Well know as national demonstrator, Joe Margan-Payler brings a deep knowledge of bonsai and great creativity to all he does.
During August, we have finally had a break from what has seemed like constantly wet or cloudy weather. Your deciduous trees will be coming in to leaf (if they haven’t already) and you should have enjoyed some blossoms from such plants as prunus, crabapples and flowering quince. Hopefully by now, you will have completed (or
Once again, our show will be held in the large Harvey Lowe Pavilion, so this is a reminder to get your trees ready for show. There is no show without trees, YOUR TREES! So please consider showing a tree or two. The Show Committee invites all members to be involved regardless of experience. Start now
Last month was one of our focus workshops for the year, working on group plantings. Two of our members participated in this activity, creating their first group settings. There was also an existing setting repotted into a handmade cement pot. This month isn’t too late to repot deciduous trees, so long as they aren’t yet
Last month, Clinton Nesci was our demonstrator and his topic was forests. He brought two old settings, one a liquidambar group of seven trees and the other a large Japanese maple forest of eight trees. Both needed repotting and restyling. While forests are fun for all skill levels, Clinton believes they are trickier than most
This month, long term member and bonsai maestro, John March will explain how to best prepare our trees for show. Whether a club show or competition, there is a lot more to presenting a tree than a nice pot and good foliage. John will walk us through all the steps necessary to show your tree
