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P.O. BOX 614 WestBALLARAT 3350

President: Murray AlpenSecretary: Heide BoehleTreasurer: John BunnNewsletter: Murray Alpen

BALLARAT BONSAI SOCIETY

ballaratbonsai@gmail.com

NEXT MEETING:

3rd September 2015, 7:30pm

Alex McKee

Forest

2015 ACTIVITIES: OCT 1st : Workshop Oct 31st - Nov 1st: Exhibition NOV 5th: Diedrerik Haneveld DEC 3rd: Christmas BBQ Buy Swap Sell JAN: No meeting

CLUB MENTORS: Greg Block 5332 1074 Alex Mckee 5345 1074 Heide Boehle 5345 3214 Tom Cockram 5472 1096 Grant Hubbard 5334 3172 Barry Eastwood 5339 5750

Japanese Black Pines

In Japan, the black pine is a favourite of bonsai enthusiasts. It grows in the south along the coast and on the islands of the inland sea in any kind of soil, and is resistant to alkalinity.The following guide will help to develop your black pines.

Spring:(Sept - Dec)Feed HeavilyLet grow uncontrolled

Summer:Xmas(December10 - 25ish)Cut all newly extended growth back to base of growth.Remove needles to balance foliage mass. (five pairs) (3 if very strong)Stop and remove fertiliser.

Autumn: Once the second flush of growth has formed and hardened off (can’t easily pull out needles), resume moderate fertilising.Prune new growth back to two shoots at all junctions.Remove some new needles in overly dense areas.Remove last years needles so that 5-7 pairs remain on each shoot. (can be done in winter)

Winter: Light feed (optional). Re-pot just prior to spring.

Wiring:Wire in autumn, winter and after cutting candles in December to avoid damaging new growth.

Soil: Young trees in training should grow in sandy loam. Transplant every three years. When the tree goes into the bonsai pot, use a good open medium.

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Last meeting we had a very informative talk on Black Pines by Joe Morgan Payler. I met with Joe a few days after the meeting and he put on paper the following time line.Thanks very much Joe.

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Fertiliser: Cottonseed meal, blood meal, fish emulsion. Give plenty of food in the springtime. If the tree needs iron, iron chelates is a temporary solution. It is better to use soil sulphur before summer. Use sparingly. Iron in the soil in the form of FeA1 never goes into the roots. Iron in the form of Fes04 does go into the roots.

Water: Let soil dry, then give plenty of water. Then allow to dry again before watering.

Any member wanting a 2016 Beautiful Gardens Australia calendar $10.00,Let Heide know and so they can be ordered.

Tree in development Small black pines in the early stage of development.

Joe discussing what he going to with this pine

Pruning notes

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Ballarat Bonsai Society 2015 Exhibition

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October 30th - November 1st

Robert Clark Centre Ballarat Botanical Gardens

Admission $4.00

Bonsai plants and pots for sale