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January Meeting/Workshop
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January Meeting/Workshop
Before we know it, the Philadelphia Flower Show will be opening. This month we're holding our Flower Show workshop, to prepare trees for the show and to informally review the criteria necessary for a good bonsai display. We'll be doing some trimming, wiring and grooming of trees as well as getting some advice on our trees.
Not all trees will be ready for exhibit, but if your tree falls into this category, bring it to the workshop anyhow for evaluation. You'll get some useful advice on development, styling, wiring, or preparation.
Please bring stands, scrolls, and accents that you plan to incorporate.
January's meeting should be lots of fun, informative, and productive. Please join us to work or to observe.
PBS Workshop
Date: Saturday, January 16
Location: Greater Plymouth Community Center
Time: 10 am -1pm
December Meeting
Lots of holiday goodies, good friendship, some lively raffles , and a short program on Bonsai display, highlighted our December Holiday Celebration. Jim Gillespie gets our thanks for furnishing (and wrapping) all the great raffle gifts. Our brief program demonstrated some do's and don't of bonsai display utilizing a PowerPoint presentation and some live setups.
While the turnout could have been better, nobody could have improved on the warmth and fellowship of the evening.
Congratulations to John McGowan, winner of the full registration to the 2010 MidAtlantic Spring Festival.
Future Meetings
February 19 - Lecture/Demo - Pines - Bernie Gastrich
February 28- March 7 - Philadelphia Flower Show - Exhibit Sitting
April 23 - Lecture/Demo - Charles Ceronio (tenative)
Workshop Hints
If the soil of your bonsai is frozen, bring it into an area that is slightly above freezing several days before the workshop to allow the soil and branches to thaw out. Return it to freezing temperatures gradually following the workshop.
Tropical trees should be protected when taken out to travel. Cover the foliage and avoid cold drafts. Warm the interior before loading the tropical into the car.
Be sure to bring what you'll need for the morning - tools, wire, cut paste, etc.
Unfortunately, PBS is not allowed to bring in a coffee pot, so be sure to stop along the way for some warm refreshment. There are vending machines available in the lobby area.
President's Notes
I hope that many of you come to the workshop on January 16th. Even if you are not entering a bonsai in the Flower Show or working on your own tree, watching others and listening to the suggestions that are given to them is a valuable learning experience. When I take workshops, I seldom get a lot of work done on my own tree because I like to listen to what the workshop leader has to suggest to others. I can always go home and work on my own tree later, but I can not hear valuable styling and growing information from experts at home.
With Flower Show time approaching I always start to think about the questions that are asked of us there. The most often asked question has been, "How old is that tree?" Since the age of the bonsai is rarely known, even by the owner, this has been a difficult one to answer. Several years ago Randy Naftal, Flower Show Chair, tried to provide information that would solve this. On the label for each tree, he added the category, "Time in Training". For some, this has only added to the confusion. First be aware that for most trees, the age is approximate. Few of us know the exact age of the tree. We may buy a "15 year old juniper" from a nursery, but is it exactly 15 years old? Trees are also collected or purchased from others, again age is approximate. We usually do know how long we have been working on a tree. If you buy a 15 year old juniper from a nursery as raw material and work on it as a bonsai for 5 years, then its age is approximately 20 years and its years in training would be 5 years. If you should purchase an existing bonsai try to find out how long the previous owner worked on it.
This brings up the matter of "owner" vs. "artist". If you have done all of the bonsai work on a tree, then you are the artist. If you buy a pre existing bonsai then you are only the "owner" for at least the first 3 years. This allows time for you to put your efforts into maintaining and restyling the tree; only then are you considered the artist. In Japan some owners never become artists. They purchase the trees but always have someone else work on them. Many bonsai "purists" say that you should never exhibit a tree unless you have owned it for at least 5 years.
I hope that more members of PBS will be willing to exhibit trees in the Flower Show. Displaying a tree is very rewarding after all the hard work and time that it takes to get a tree ready.
PBS has already raffled off one registration to MidAtlantic at the holiday meeting. In the upcoming meetings (January and February) there will be two more ongoing raffles for MidAtlantic registrations: one for PBS members who have never attended MidAtlantic and one for all PBS members. You will be able to buy tickets at the January and February meetings. The two drawings will be held at the February meeting. You do not have to be present to win, just make sure to put your name on the back of the tickets.
See you at the January workshop.
Linda
MidAtlantic Festival
The 2010 lineup for the MidAtlantic Spring Festival features an international cast of bonsai masters; Michele Andolfo from Italy, Charles Ceronio from South Africa, and Michel Phaneuf from Canada. These artists will be conducting lecture/demos, critiques, and workshops over the weekend.
Our focus this month will be on Charles Ceronio.
Charles Ceronio started growing bonsai in 1968. He is the President and was co-founder of the Pretoria Bonsai Kai. In 1981, Charles and a small group of South African bonsai growers attended the 25th Anniversary of the California Bonsai Society on the invitation of John Naka. Charles was Mr. Naka’s assistant in Pretoria during his numerous visits to South Africa. Charles has been a John Naka disciple ever since. Other great masters who had an influence on Charles are Ben Oki and Roy Nagatoshi. Charles gave a talk on "The Winds of Change to Indigenous Bonsai Styles for South Africa" at the first bonsai convention held in Cape Town in 1980. At that convention, he introduced South African bonsai enthusiasts to six new African styles that he had created. Charles' favorite bonsai style is, surprisingly, not the Pierneef or Baobab styles, but rather forest plantings. In 1999, he published his book Bonsai Styles of the World. Regarded as the bonsai bible on styles, a second edition was published in 2004. During 1999 and 2000, two of Charles's trees were selected as being among the 100 best trees in the world in the JAL World Bonsai Contest held under the auspices of the Nippon Bonsai Association. He was a headliner at the 2005 World Bonsai Convention in Washington, DC. At present, Charles is working on a book on indigenous plants suitable for bonsai in Southern Africa. He will present two lecture/demonstrations, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Also on Saturday, Mr. Ceronio will conduct a critique of the exhibit trees, and on Sunday he will conduct a bring- your- own tree workshop.
This year, the Festival will be hosting the Joshua Roth New Talent Contest. Wouldn't it be wonderful if one of the entrants was a PBS member? Information will be available at our monthly meetings.
Every year MABS features a great exhibit of trees from member clubs. PBS members have some great trees. If you'd like to exhibit yours at MABS, contact your MABS reps, Jim Gillespie, or Jim Brant for details.
Dates for the Festival are April 16-18, 2010 , at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa.
Registration folders should have arrived. If you didn't receive yours, please contact Jim Brant. Again this year , first time registrants and non-bonsai spouses may register for half price. Don't forget to register early, especially if you want to sign up for a workshop or critique.. MABS is a very good experience and a real value.
Flower Show Notes
Linda is always looking for volunteers, new or experienced, to help act as docents for the exhibit. A brief three hour period is all that is needed. Tickets to the Show are provided for you and a guest (have you checked the cost of admission this year? $24-$28!!!). We have to cover the exhibit for the entire show, so lots of help is needed. Contact Linda by phone (610-948-6380) or email (lbrant@comcast.net) to volunteer.
Seasonal Notes
Let's hope that December's weather is not a harbinger of things to come. We've had record snows, some very low temperatures, and tremendous windstorms. Of the three, the wind is the thing that can be the most harmful to our trees in winter storage. The wind can cause a great deal of dessication, or drying, if adequate protection is not provided. Some form of windbreak is beneficial if your trees are exposed to winter winds.
Should you worry about snowfall? Probably not, as long as the snow doesn't become too heavy and cause branch breakage. Actually snow provides some insulation for roots. Melting snow is a good source of moisture for bonsai.
Trees in indoor storage need to be kept as cool is possible, so as not to break dormancy. They will need frequent checking to avoid drying out. If you can make snowballs, they are an excellent way to get moisture into the trees in indoor storage. Misting is also beneficial is temperatures are above freezing.
What can we do while waiting for Spring? Now is a great time to catch up on all those articles in bonsai magazines you haven't has time to read. Check your tools for rust and sharpness - be ready to start work when it's time rather than spending precious time getting things organized - the trees can't wait. Check through your records (you do keep records of your trees, don't you?) to see which trees need repotting in the Spring. Too often a tree's health declines because it was not repotted in a timely manner. My guidelines are to repot maples, azaleas, and other deciduous trees every two years and larch, pines and junipers after three or more years, observing each for signs that repotting is needed.
Joshua Roth New Talent Bonsai Competition
The Joshua Roth New Talent Bonsai Competition, sponsored by The American Bonsai Society, will be held at MidAtlantic in 2010. This competition is open to any person who resides in North America and who has been involved in the art of bonsai for less than 10 years. Details of the competition are available on the ABS Website. The deadline is March 26 .
The Pennsylvania Bonsai Society will sponsor any PBS member who reaches Stage Two of this competition by paying for 2 nights lodging at the Hudson Valley Resort (Thursday, April 15, and Friday, April 16) and the cost of the banquet at which the winner will be announced. If the contestant should wish to attend the MidAtlantic Convention, he/she will have to pay for registration and for Saturday night lodging.
Weather Related Meeting Notification
Over the years, we have had very few cancellations due to the weather, but sometimes we get caught in a storm. If we are faced with a cancellation, the following procedures will take place.
A. If you are on the email list for newsletters - you will receive cancellation notice by email.
B. If you are not on the email list, then check the web site. Cancellation notice will be posted prominently on the home page.
C. If you do not have computer access, a board member will attempt to contact you by phone.
D. We will also try to place a notice on KYW radio.
If you are in doubt about a meeting taking place, be sure to check before leaving home.
Directions to the Greater Plymouth Community Center
From Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276)-Take Exit 333 (Norristown - old exit 25). At the end of the ramp, turn left onto Plymouth Road. At the light, turn right onto Germantown Pike West. Continue approximately one (1) mile, through five (5) traffic lights. At the sixth light, turn right onto Jolly Road. The Community Center is on the right at 2910 Jolly Road.
From Blue Route (I-476)-Take exit for Germantown Pike West (Exit 20). Continue on Germantown Pike west for approximately one (1) mile, through six (6) traffic lights. At the seventh light ti right onto Jolly Road. The Community Center is on the right at 2910 Jolly Road.
From Route 202-Follow Route 202 to Germantown Pike. Travel EAST on Germantown Pike, through five (5) traffic lights. At the next traffic light, approximately half a mile, turn left on Jolly Road. The Community Center is on the right at 2910 Jolly Road.
February Meeting
This month's program will feature a discussion on pine development presented by Berni Gastrich. Dr. Berni Gastrich created his first bonsai, a mugho pine, in 1971. It is alive and well and he will bring it to his lecture. He was a student of Yuji Yoshimura and has made several trips to Japan. Pine has always been a particular interest of his, and his lecture will focus on choosing, maintaining and developing pines of all kinds. He will particularly focus on how to create pines with short internodes and good density. This of course involves the development of short, dense needles, appropriate to the size of the individual tree. He will bring trees showing the progress of needle reduction over a period of years.
The development of pine bonsai is often a major stumbling block for the beginning or intermediate bonsai enthusiast, so Berni's program could go a long way toward helping leap over the block that many of us have or will encounter in deveoping our pine bonsai.
This month's drawings will complete our two special MABS raffles. You could be the lucky winner of a full registration to the MidAtlantic Festival in April!
No members' exhibit this month - no double raffle tickets.
Guest Artist: Berni Gastrich - Pine Program
Date: Friday, February 19
Time: 7:00
Location: Greater Plymouth Community Center
MidAtlantic Festival
The 2010 lineup for the MidAtlantic Spring Festival features an international cast of bonsai masters; Michele Andolfo from Italy, Charles Ceronio from South Africa, and Michel Phaneuf from Canada. These artists will be conducting lecture/demos, critiques, and workshops over the weekend.
Our focus this month will be on Michel Phaneuf.
Michel Phaneuf, born in the Montréal area, studied sculpture and painting at the Montréal Fine Arts School. He graduated from UQAM University with a degree in graphic concept and design. He has his own marketing company. Michel started bonsai in 1992. After a few years of training with David Easterbrook, he worked with many bonsai specialists from Europe, Japan and the USA. His involvement in the Société de Bonsaï et de Penjing de Montréal includes serving as a teacher, eight years on the board of directors, and four years as president. Michel has travelled to Europe to continue his training and give lectures with French and Italian masters, such as François Jeker, Michele Andolfo, Salvatore Liporace and others. Michel was one of the founding members of the Karamatsu Study Group in 1998 which meets in Montreal. He was a featured teacher at the American Bonsai Societies’ 2008 Learning Seminars in Texas. The titles of his lessons at this event were, “Shape and Movement (creating a bonsai),” “Initiation to Dead Wood for the First- Timer,” and “Dead Wood Tools and Techniques.” He has also given lectures and demonstrations to many United States bonsai organizations. In bonsai design what Michel loves most is creating bonsai with a lot of expression. He will present two lecture/demonstrations, one on Friday and one on Saturday. Also, on Saturday Mr. Phaneuf will conduct a critique of the exhibit trees; Sunday he will conduct a workshop utilizing Shimpaku junipers.This year, the Festival will be hosting the Joshua Roth New Talent Contest. Wouldn't it be wonderful if one of the entrants was a PBS member? Information will be available at our monthly meetings.
Every year MABS features a great exhibit of trees from member clubs. PBS members have some great trees. If you'd like to exhibit yours at MABS, contact your MABS reps, Jim Gillespie, or Jim Brant for details.
Dates for the Festival are April 16-18, 2010 , at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa.
Registration folders should have arrived. If you didn't receive yours, please contact Jim Brant. Again this year , first time registrants and non-bonsai spouses may register for half price. Don't forget to register early, especially if you want to sign up for a workshop or critique.. MABS is a very good experience and a real value.
Future Meetings
February 28- March 7 - Philadelphia Flower Show - Exhibit Sitting
April 23 - Lecture/Demo - Charles Ceronio (tenative)
May 21 - Lecture/Demo - Sean Smith
President's Notes
As I write this, Jim and I are looking forward to a California trip to attend the Shohin Convention held there every other year. We have been to some outstanding conventions in California and have been hearing about this one for several years. It is held at an out of the way hotel to keep costs down, but is noted for its excellent educational value and also for being a good time. Since this winter is not even half over, it will be wonderful to go somewhere warmer (hopefully) where we can actually work on trees. We are both taking workshops so that we can get warmed up for working on our trees come Spring.
Soon after our return , it will be Flower Show time. I always look forward to that week, especially seeing bonsai trees. It is amazing to see deciduous material that arrives at set up with bare branches and then leaves 10 days later with leaves emerging. Of course, we then have to worry about keeping the tree protected until Spring actually arrives. Hopefully Mother Nature will cooperate with us.
The January workshop was very productive. Several trees were prepared for the Flower Show. Some other bonsai were styled or refined with the help of PBS's more experiences members. Several members attended to watch and learn. If you were unable to attend, but think that you have a tree that is ready for display in the Flower Show, please contact Randy Naftal, Flower Show Chairman. His can be contacted by email at: randallnaftal@yahoo.com. He will need to see the tree or a photo of it. I also have some openings on the sitting schedule. If you want to help by manning the PBS Exhibit, please contact me. My thanks to all who helped at the workshop.
Don't forget that raffle tickers will be sold again at the February 19th meeting for the MidAtlantic drawings. One raffle is for first time attendees to MidAtlantic, the other raffle is for everyone. The drawings will be that evening, but you do not have to be present to win. We are encouraging as many members as possible to attend MidAtlantic. You will benefit from the bonsai knowledge that you will gain and our club benefits financially from our members' attendance. All PBS members should have received their registration material. If you did not get them or need replacements, contact Jim Brant.
See you at the February meeting, We will all learn more about developing pine bonsai!
Seasonal Notes
In checking back over previous newsletters, I came across a Seasonal Notes section where I related my New Year's Bonsai Resolutions. We often times make New Year's resolutions. Some we even keep. Here are a few that Linda and I made along with the results four years later.
2006 - We will cut down the size of the collection. Too many trees, too much to do. Fewer trees mean less variety, but the trees will be better maintained. Pruning and wiring won't be so overwhelming that the jobs may even get done on time. 2010 - The collection has been cut down from over 100 trees to about 75. Most trees were donated to auctions. It was difficult to see some trees go that we had worked on for many years, but it was necessary.
2006 - We will repot trees more often. I had been letting most of my maples go for three years before repotting. Those that have been repotted at two years (or even every year) look much healthier and far more vigorous. 2010 - I'm pleased that the deciduous trees have improved by a significant amount with the more frequent repotting. An additional benefit of more frequent repotting, is that the trees are looked at more critically as to pruning and styling during these repotting sessions.
2006 - We will keep better records of my trees. Every Spring during repotting, we make mental notes on a tree's root condition, pot selected, degree of pruning, and so on.. Actually writing down those thoughts on a permanent record often didn't get done in a timely manner. 2010 - Our bonsai notebook is now much more complete. We can review notes from previous years before beginning our repotting season and work far more efficiently. What has worked well is using Post-It notes during the actual repotting, then placing them in the appropriate page of the notebook, transferring the information to the permanent record when time permits.
2006 - Also, I need to take more pictures of the trees - 2010 - It's amazing how much development can take place in three or four years. Photos provide proof that the tree is improving. Most trees in the collection now have an "after" shot taken immediately after repotting. The shots are not anywhere near studio quality, but give us a good handle on our progress with each tree.
With a little persistence and some mutual encouragement, we've done a fairly good job of keeping to these resolutions. The effort has paid off, at least in our minds.
We all resolve to do a better job of maintaining our trees - the execution sometimes isn't quite as good as intended. The trees we have deserve to be kept in the peak of health - after all, we want them to be here for the next generation of bonsai lovers.
Joshua Roth New Talent Bonsai Competition
The Joshua Roth New Talent Bonsai Competition, sponsored by The American Bonsai Society, will be held at MidAtlantic in 2010. This competition is open to any person who resides in North America and who has been involved in the art of bonsai for less than 10 years. Details of the competition are available on the ABS Website. The deadline is March 26 .
The Pennsylvania Bonsai Society will sponsor any PBS member who reaches Stage Two of this competition by paying for 2 nights lodging at the Hudson Valley Resort (Thursday, April 15, and Friday, April 16) and the cost of the banquet at which the winner will be announced. If the contestant should wish to attend the MidAtlantic Convention, he/she will have to pay for registration and for Saturday night lodging.
ADDITIONAL PRIZES FOR THE ABS SUPPORTED JOSHUA ROTH NEW TALENT CONTEST
ABS just announced that the family of Ron Martin will again provide scholarships to honor their deceased Father and ABS board member. In 2010 the two scholarships will be given to the two top scoring New Talent Contest winners at the MABS festival. Each Scholarship will cover the registration fee and banquet for the weekend. This will be in addition to the normal prizes for the contest.
The Grand Prize for the Joshua Roth New Talent Bonsai Competition is an exclusive course of study with an approved bonsai teacher and hotel accommodations if the teacher is not in the winner’s home town. The winning artist will also be profiled in the Journal of the American Bonsai Society under the title of “Best New Bonsai Talent of 2010.”
Directions to the Greater Plymouth Community Center
From Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276)-Take Exit 333 (Norristown - old exit 25). At the end of the ramp, turn left onto Plymouth Road. At the light, turn right onto Germantown Pike West. Continue approximately one (1) mile, through five (5) traffic lights. At the sixth light, turn right onto Jolly Road. The Community Center is on the right at 2910 Jolly Road.
From Blue Route (I-476)-Take exit for Germantown Pike West (Exit 20). Continue on Germantown Pike west for approximately one (1) mile, through six (6) traffic lights. At the seventh light ti right onto Jolly Road. The Community Center is on the right at 2910 Jolly Road.
From Route 202-Follow Route 202 to Germantown Pike. Travel EAST on Germantown Pike, through five (5) traffic lights. At the next traffic light, approximately half a mile, turn left on Jolly Road. The Community Center is on the right at 2910 Jolly Road.
see April