May 2005 Newsletter

Program:
As a precursor to the organization of a mentoring program within the club, you are invited to bring specimens to share an evening of advice, technique, and horticultural experience.

Hiromi Franklin with her trident maple

May Meeting Notes

• We had one visitor, Jackie Fountain of Catoosa, who heard about the Green Country Bonsai from the television interview Pat Coen did on the news.
• Thanks to all the members who helped with the spring show, things went smoothly. Brent Phillippe’s energy made a positive impact on the show. The show received one of the highest turnouts ever with an estimated 480 people that attended the show. Hiromi Franklin won Show master’s choice and Member's choice with her trident maple. Tom Howard won the popular vote for his green mound juniper with 72 votes. Frank Kroeker received 64 votes for his bald cypress forest and 56 votes were cast for Chuck Cockman’s satsuki azalea. The winners will receive certificates towards the next work shop. The show had 80 trees on display and made about 580 dollars in sales and commissions.
• Resumption of newsletter mailings will begin in May to those who do not have Internet access or prefer a paper copy. Those members with an email address will be assumed to have internet access. If you still want paper mailings contact President Dan Bonnett or Editor Andre Chenault. This month’s mailing will include copies from January to present.
• The board met and began drafting program content for the rest of the year. The list will be published in the upcoming news letters as it becomes available.
• A former member Tony Billings will be having a Bonsai Sale. He has pots, tools, magazines, books, rocks, and accessories. The sale will be May 14th 9am to 4pm. At 6767 East 114 Place. If you want more information, call Tony at 688-8669.
• Chuck Cockman has bamboo in tubs that needs division. He has four varieties if you are willing to go to Chucks and divide it, you can have a division. He also has trees for sale.

  
  Tom Howard and his green mound juniper

  Show and Tell
  Justin Lovelace brought a Bald Cypress that he is air layering. Tom brought his winning Green mound Juniper. C.K. presented some pots in different glazes and sizes made by a McAlester potter. The potter will also make pots in the sizes and colors you want. C.K. can get in touch with him if you are interested. The pots are priced at about $25 for small pots and $50 for the large. C.K. also brought a holly where he had carved the trunk. Heromi brought her trident maple that was the show winner. Mike Flanagan had an elm he collected in 2002 and a maple with 3 to 4 years of development. George Gray brought a shimpaku. Steve brought a rock from California. Justin also brought in his tree on rock, sans rock. Chuck brought an azalea in bloom. Andre had some photos he took on Mount Scott in Lawton to illustrate examples in nature of what we attempt in cultivation.

Program Notes
Peter Aradi gave a nice presentation on viewing stones. His presentation was about differences in artistic focus between East and West. Just as bonsai can be considered art, so can viewing stones. Quite literally, since many are developed by human hands—by Peter’s estimate over 90%. However, the aesthetic differences between Asian and Occidental expressions were the key points of his talk. Where in the West art imitates nature, in Asia artistic expression is the ideal that cultivated nature imitates.

Since bonsai is an Eastern practice, Peter points out that the study of Asian paintings will sharpen the eye for styling bonsai. The practice of painting develops one's eye even more, which brings even greater engagement with the object as we move from simple viewing stones to appreciation at the level of meditation. As Peter states early in the presentation, knowledge adds to enjoyment.

The Bonsai in May
This column is something that I have been thinking about and Dan wanted to start this month. This month’s information is based on “General Rules of Thumb” from the Sacramento Bonsai webpage at http://bonsaisacramento.org/monthly.html . Obviously the climactic differences make suggestions for specific months less pertinent. So poised for a new season of growth, have we considered:

• As Dana Quattlebaum pointed out repeatedly in our workshop, each tree has individual horticultural requirements. Learn them.
• Microclimates occur everywhere, not just at California wineries. Be aware of your yard’s thermic differences and use them to your tree’s advantage.
• Water until it flows from the drainage holes. More plants die from poor drainage than from over-watering. Lack of proper drainage can mean the soil has broken down into finer materials or the root mass has overgrown the pot, both of which impedes drainage; repot. Also, from my training in geology I can tell you that the free flowing water will also carry off excess mineral salts that damage root growth. Try to water in the early morning or late afternoon. A strong spray of water directed at the foliage helps discourage insects and mites. On extremely hot or windy days make an extra check and water your plants and the area around the plants for added humidity
• Inspect your tree daily for problems; it’s just good Feng Shui. Turn trees at least once a month for even growth. Avoid overcrowding; trees need air circulation and light.
• Control new growth by pinching for desired shape. Do not let moss cover exposed roots or grow on or around the trunk.
• Give deciduous trees full sun in winter, but in our southern summers, most do best if given only full morning sun and filtered afternoon sun.
• The best time for repotting any tree is when new growth is just starting. The plant has the most growth hormones at this time and is better able to overcome shock. After transplanting, Do not fertilize for at least four weeks.
• Remember that we all loose trees. It is natures way of teaching us to pay closer attention next time.

  Future Programs Planned
  July: Mike Flanagan will make a presentation on the Weyerhaeuser Exhibit.
  August: The topic of fertilizers will be discussed in addition to holding the annual swap meet.