NEWSLETTER                                                                              January 2004

TIME:            Every third Wednesday of the month (except July, August and December)

PLACE:       Adult Recreation Centre - Corner of King and Allen Sts., Waterloo

SUBJECT:  Poinsettias as Bonsai               

President’s Message

This month's meeting will focus on the Poinsettia as bonsai material. Please save all the Christmas Poinsettias you can find and bring them to the next meeting.

We will focus on the care and styling of these wonderful plants. I will bring along my nine-year-old tree to give you some long term styling ideas. I have a handout that describes general care and flowering tips.
Most nursery Poinsettias can be repotted straight into a bonsai container, as they have many fine roots. Bring some loose, good draining bonsai soil and a pot, or you can wait until spring for repotting and just work on styling at the meeting.

This is a good tree for beginners because the plants are inexpensive (especially this time of year) and they are very easy to care for. When the leaves begin to droop, it needs water, when the leaf tips start to turn brown, its had too much water. If the leaves are getting lighter in colour, it needs fertilizer. I have tried to find pictures of Poinsettia bonsai, but have had no luck. I have found some pictures on the Internet of Poinsettias growing in Mexico that are nine feet high and shaped like a bush and are in full flower, but the pictures are of poor quality. Remember to bring plastic for the tables.

We have not set the agenda for this year yet, so bring along your ideas for workshops, guests and field trips.

Thanks to everyone who donated items for the silent auction and thanks to everyone who purchased items also! I would encourage any one with items and plants for sale to bring them to any of the meetings; our members always like a bargain!

I have found some pictures of last year’s Guelph show on the Internet- the site is http://members.rogers.com/bonsaicanada/gallery.html

I will see you all at the next meeting; with all the Poinsettias it will seem like Christmas again.

Nigel

Notes of Appreciation

Dave Hooper has been lugging our portable library to each meeting as well as keeping the records for many months now. Don’t forget to thank him next time you see him.

Upcoming events

Sunday, January 18, 2004 –Galt Hort Society’s annual Dream Garden Conference (always well run). There still may be tickets left. Call Myrna at 740-1006 for details. Remember- Arthur Skolnik will be the first speaker.

Reminders

Bring plastic for the tables.
Return library materials.
Society fees are due.
Bring thinking caps- meeting topics needed.

Happy New Year folks- may all your trees grow strong and true, Lynn