Program:
Mike Flanagan will make a presentation on the Weyerhaeuser Exhibit.

June Meeting Notes

• The meeting began with Peter Aradi’s description of the BCI Convention in Washington. Peter said that over 900 people attended the convention. He continued voicing his criticism of the tree displays, which he felt did not equal our own club's efforts in show display. There were other challenges to enjoyment: poor sound quality, an ungainly layout that required lots of walking to negotiate, and expensive, but mediocre food. However the vendors were good and had a nice selection of items that sold early. Roy Hayes continued, emphasizing that it was expensive, and that he could not find a soft cushy armchair for napping in the whole place.
• Another event of note was Michelle Gray’s 4th place award in the BonsaiTALK Forum’s 2005 styling contest with her boxwood, which placed 4th out of 31 trees. BonsaiTALK Forum is a web site that, as its name indicates talks about bonsai culture. Congratulations EarthgirlOK!

Show and Tell

• Charles Sitter brought a Ponderosa Pine, styled at Brussels Rendezvous with the help of the work shop instructor.
• George Gray displayed an Elm he collected up around Grand Lake.
• Steve Sanders brought a dwarf hosta in bloom.

Roy Nagatoshi told me that the best time to repot my ficus was July. Tropical tree growth is generally not as affected by the warmer temperatures. However, most temperate climate trees should be repotted by now. Repotting can still be done, but root growth slows in the heat and extra vigilance is required to insure a successful repotting.

What is in full swing now is pinching and pruning. If your trees are well fed and watered they will be putting on a prodigious amount of growth now. Plant growth is more rapid at the apex, which should be trimmed back to allow more light and nutrients to be distributed to the lower branches. Pinch second-growth candles on pines and pinch back conifers. Deciduous trees may benefit from Leaf trimming, leaving only one pair of leaves. Spring flowering bonsai should be pruned now, unless the bloom is leading to fruit displays.

Pests and weather are a constant challenge, and in June the hose becomes a life support mechanism unless we scald trees with hose heated water at midday. We may also occasionally overlook the sunscreen for our own skin, but we need to protect our trees from overexposure. Shade protects from overheating, UV levels of 10 on a scale of 10, and slows photosynthesis to a reasonable transpiration / photosynthesis rate, i.e. less stress. Even in a shady location remember that they all grow towards the light. Rotate your plants for balanced growth.

References:
http://www.arboretumfriends.org/gsbonsai/care.htm http://www.american-bonsai.com/catalog/care.php
http://www.geocities.com/cfbonsai/months.htm
Gustafson, Herb L. Keep Your Bonsai Alive & Well

Upcoming Events:

July 16, 9:00am to 4:00pm Member's Work Shop
Bring your tools, trees, and experience for a fun and productive day.