NEWSLETTER April 2003
TIME: Every third Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm
PLACE: Adult Recreation Centre - Corner of King and Allen Sts., Waterloo
SUBJECT: Bonsai for Beginners - Presented by Eldon Leis
Beginners’ Workshop - Bonsai Basics – April 16
Be prepared for a hands-on workshop as well as a lecture and slides. Eldon recommends that beginners who wish to get their hands dirty (others may prefer just to listen) should bring a tree to work on, along with some wire and basic tools (pruners, pliers, wire cutter, etc.). More experienced members may wish to bring trees to work on as well. Eldon will have a few trees for sale provided he is able to dig them out of the ground (could be problematic, the way our weather is behaving)!
I would like to thank our new executive for volunteering their time and effort to keep our club running smoothly for the 2003 year. We have a very full and interesting agenda for the months ahead.
We have two shows this year, one at the Conestoga Mall in Waterloo (late August) and the second at the Guelph University (October). These shows are important in attracting new members to the club. I hope every club member can display and talk to the public about their creation in progress.
If you are thinking of displaying a tree you should have the “perfect” pot on hand for repotting in early spring. Replant at the desired height, pick the front of the tree and position it in the pot so it looks comfortable. Water and fertilize carefully, and give your show-tree the best spot on the bench. If you need to remove large leaves, give the tree enough time to re-grow new leaves for the show.
Keep in mind that we are not displaying 300-year-old Japanese masterpieces. We are displaying the trees our club members are working on. I find it just as interesting to look at young trees in training, as it is to look at mature designs. People thinking of joining our club will enjoy talking to new members displaying their first trees.
For this month’s meeting Eldon will be demonstrating the basics of Bonsai This will be a great demonstration for new members starting their first trees. For anyone interested in bonsai, this would be a great start. All are welcome! Nigel Saunders
Notes of Appreciation:
Thanks to Jimi Chin and his son for creating a great website for our club. Check
it out at
www.kwbonsai.tk
Thanks to Tony Lanetti for an engaging demo that was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
Tips from Tony Lanetti of Bonsai Discovery
While Tony completed a beautiful group planting of shimpaku junipers with the help of his assistant Chris Bradley, he shared many of his professional tips and techniques with us. Some of them are as follows:
*Shimpakus are very hardy; they do well in both sun and shade.
*Try to replicate nature when you create a bonsai.
*Jinning - Take a little bark each year; don’t try to do it all at once. Cut away from yourself!
*Wiring- Train yourself to use a thin gauge, e.g., I mil. You will find using thinner wires less frustrating.
*Mica trays are useful for temperature regulation.
*Trees grown from cuttings have a much better root ball; there is much more ramification and you do not have to deal with lengthy taproots. Removing taproots from trees grown from seed can be a long-term process.
*Group planting - use an odd number of trees with different trunk sizes. Make sure you can see each tree from all directions - this can be tricky to accomplish.
*Memories of the trees that you work on may become very meaningful and important to you.
Bonsai Discovery is located at 8485 Highway # 9, Schomberg, Ontario. They sell trees, supplies, and tools and have a busy schedule of workshops. Their toll free phone number is 1-877-767-7702.
May - Ficus repotting by Nigel Saunders. He will also discuss aerial root pruning.
June - Workshop with new trees. (Club trip to Northland Nursery the week before). For those of you who want to visit Northland sooner, Vel has kindly given us directions.
Northland Nursery- 722, 5th Concession West. Go south on Highway 6 from the 401; turn right (west) onto 5th Concession West. Drive approximately 4 kilometers. Watch for the big yellow sign on the south side of the road. Open April 15-November I, daily. Their website is www.canadiangardener.com/northland