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The Bonsai News of Houston A Monthly Newsletter of the Houston Bonsai Society Inc.
Volume 50 Number 2 February 2019
Simon Haddon of Suteki’s plants and accent pots. (Photo: Swindon-bonsai.co.uk)
The Houston Bonsai Society meets on the first Saturday of the month at Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road, Houston, TX 77055. Board meeting at 9 AM, refreshments at 10 AM, program at 10:15 AM.
February 2 Program: Convention pots with Andy Sankowski. Members are invited to create the kusamono or grass centerpieces for the upcoming convention on March 6, but first, we make the pots so Andy can fire them.
Upcoming Events More in Calendar of Events
February 9 Saturday Study Group at Quality Feed & Garden 9AM – Noon. Bring your trees, tools, wire and soil. Free, refreshments provided. February 9 Bonsai Basics #2 - Styling and Wiring at Timeless Trees,12 Noon - 4 PM, $60 includes a Ficus, Boxwood, or Podocarpus, wire cutters, hand-out and wire. Everyone goes home with a styled tree. No re-potting in this class.
February 16 Japanese Black Pine Study Group with Scott Barboza - Timeless Trees, 9AM – 3PM, $60. Focus: Winter work, re-potting, pruning and wiring.
February 23 Cedar Elm Trees, Timeless Trees, 9AM - 1PM - $80 includes a Texas Native Cedar Elm, soil and class. These collected elms with great movement and rootage will be re-potted, pruned and wired.
March 2 HBS Monthly meeting Annual Auction. Get your donations ready.
March 9 Saturday Study Group at Maas Nursery in Seabrook, 9AM – Noon. Bring your trees, tools, wire and soil. Free, refreshments provided.
March 16 Convention kusamono workshop at Quality Feed & Garden 9AM – Noon. Refreshments provided.
March 22-23 LCBS Annual Exhibit #30 at The SWLA Garden in Burton Coliseum, Lake Charles, LA. Details in Calendar of Events.
IN THIS ISSUE
Upcoming Events
Convention pots workshop with Andy Sankowski
Showcase of the Month
Camellias
February Bonsai Care
John Miller
President’s Letter
Jonas Dupuich on Japanese Black Pines
Preparing Bonsai for Display at 2019
LSBF-ABS Exhibit
Anatomy of a
Shohin Display
Call for
Sponsorship & Raffle Donations
March
Club Auction
Camellia blossoms
February Bonsai Care What happens when you miss a turn in removing wire from your bonsai? You get a large swelling in the branch that destroys the smooth taper you were trying to create. The only rule for removing wire is to start with the end of the wire and work down the wire completely to the other end. No jumping from wire to wire. To do this you have a choice: You can untwist the wire or you can cut each loop. If you cut, it is very easy to miss a loop. The only sure way is to develop a routine. Hold the tip with pliers while you cut the next loop, remove the cut loop, lay it aside keeping your eye one the cut end. Hold the new cut tip and repeat. Do not get distracted and do something else. Following a routine keeps you on that one job.
February is the start of the active cycle for bonsai. Repot when new growth is first evident, then the refinement process starts as soon as the green comes, all the while pay attention to watering, feeding, and pest control.
Spring is a long drawn out affair and each species has its own time table. To be really successful in bonsai, you must know what each species needs and how it responds to the climate in your backyard. If you have kept your trees from freezing, they will want to start growing much earlier than those kept outside all winter. Typically, in my collection which stays outside, the elms will be first, foliage showing about the end of February or the first of March depending on the winter, along with the earliest maples. Then later in March, the rest of the maples and most of the others. The deciduous oaks will come out around April 1. Out here in the country, everything starts 2 or 3 weeks later than when I was in town, only 30 miles away. You will need to adjust the timetable by watching your trees. All bonsai functions should be done when your trees tell you the time is right.
Repotting ‘can’ be done at any time during dormancy but new roots are susceptible to freezing, so you prepare some place to protect them after repotting. If not repotting this year, you can help weed control by removing the top ¼” of soil and replace it with new soil. The best time to repot the deciduous temperate zone trees is when the buds are just beginning to swell but before green is showing. Generally this will be before the last of the freezing weather. Trees that leaf out early, maples and elms, can withstand a few degrees of frost but if just repotted, protect the new roots. Sometimes this means setting them on the ground. Some species such as the oaks and willows are naturally programmed to wait much later so that they have very little chance to get nipped.
The newer wisdom on azaleas is that you repot them at this time. The roots will be reestablished by blooming time. This is much easier on the tree than waiting until after bloom, when the temperature may be too hot Before blooming starts, you will be removing a lot of excess buds anyway, which will reduce the stress on the tree at that time. Remove enough buds to allow the remaining flowers to have enough room to fully open. This should be done in late February or early March on the early blooming .
species (Karume) but you may wait till March for the Satsuki.
Refinement is the process that makes a well styled tree look great, with fine ramification and smaller leaves. Part of the refinement starts as soon as new growth appears. Keep it pinched so you keep the internodes short and develop a compact set of twigs with small leaves on the branches. On alternate leaved species (e.g. elms) pinch when the shoot grows to 4 or 5 leaves. Finger nails or shears can be used. Long twigs may be tough, so use shears. On opposite leaved trees (maples), pinch the central shoot as soon as it can be distinguished from the two leaves. To do this right, use tweezers with a dull point.
Development pruning is difficult for beginners since the sacrifice branch needs to grow wild, which temporarily destroys the look of your bonsai. You may have long internodes which will not produce buds at the right places, especially on the opposite leaved species. You need to do refinement pruning the first couple of times to get some short internodes before letting the tips go wild.
Spring flowering plants set their buds on last year’s growth, so pruning them will remove some flowers. Those that bloom later in the year will generally bloom on this year’s growth. Tip pruning of old branches of some trees such as crepe myrtle, will result in no flower at all. In these cases, decide which is most important, ramification or flowers? A compromise would be to prune the branch shorter than you normally would and then let it bloom on new growth, at least for the first flowering of the season.
When the growth starts, the tree will need fertilizer. However, use one that has a small amount of nitrogen (the first number). The tree is naturally programmed to grow rapidly at this time, so you don’t need to encourage it further. Feed lightly to maintain a healthy green foliage. Ideally, use an organic fertilizer which provides nutrients slowly when the weather is cool. Trace minerals should be added to help with both the foliage color and the color of blooms.
If you have not used an horticultural oil, the time is running out fast. The oil would be used to kill scale and overwintering mites and other insects. Oil may damage tender foliage when new growth starts.
Problems to look for are the mentioned mites but especially aphids and mealy bugs. An organic spray can control insects and at the same time provide the required fertilizer by using 1 tablespoon each of liquid kelp, liquid fish emulsion, apple cider vinegar (5%), and molasses in one gallon of water. Or use a commercial mix like Garrett Juice. All these are available in any organic nursery. If leaf spot, mildew or any other fungal problems appear, use a baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), potassium bicarbonate spray, or a commercial fungicide.
An important job which many neglect with the simple excuse that they will show any of their trees is to detail their trees. This makes them look their best and that helps give you incentive to follow other good practices. Start by checking the branches. Prune any out of place or too long twigs. Remove any unneces-sary wire, that is wire on limbs that have set in place. Treat any jin and shari that needs it. Then move down to the pot. Be sure it is clean and all lime deposit is removed. Steel wool works great to clean pots. A coating with a very light wax polish such as leaf shine will make the pot look good and helps keep the mineral deposits from forming. Then check the soil. It should cover the outer roots. The surface of the soil must be clean of any fallen leaves or other debris. Now that it looks so good, you might as well take it to a show.
John Miller
John Miller, who writes a monthly column for the Bonsai Society of Dallas and Fort Worth Bonsai Society, has agreed to share his column with us. We need to make adjustments for our warmer and damper climate, with earlier springs, longer summers, late fall and erratic winters.
President’s
Letter Don’t forget that, our February meeting will be held on February 2 at 10:00 AM at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center. The center in located at 1414 Wirt Road which is about a mile north of I-10 and about ½ miles outside the 610 loop. For
information on the center, see their website at http://www.pct3.com/Community-Centers/Mendenhall-Community-Center
Not too much on my mind this month other than the convention. As I write this, we are 77 days from the opening day. The bonsai community is responding in a big way to what we are offering, but that also means that we have a lot to do between now and then, and there will be a lot to do at the convention itself. To give you a little reference, if we closed registration today, this would be the largest bonsai convention ever in Houston. By the time it actually arrives, it will far exceed anything we have put on before.
If you haven’t registered yet, you should take some time to get on the HBS website and do so. The planning committee has put together one of the best programs I have ever seen at a bonsai convention, but you need to get registered to ensure that you can participate in the events that most interest you. Work-shop spots in particular are filling up fast.
At the February meeting, we will be asking you to sign up to help with the convention.
The following areas need help: Registration – Gale Childers Artist logistics – Scott Barboza Workshop and seminar logistics – Dean Laumen Exhibit and photography – Hoe Chuah Raffle – Maria Grissom Vendors – Hurley Johnson Goodie Bags – Eldon Branham Publicity, signage and special events – Ken Cousino Banquets, auction and awards – Pete Parker
Dr. Hoe recently updated the exhibit entry form to include requirements for the prestigious John Naka award. The entry form is on the website and ready for you to begin submitting your trees for the exhibit. Along
with the bonsai, we will also have exhibits of viewing stones and kusamono.
Another difference this time around is that we are planning to publish a book of exhibit trees, so you will definitely want to get your trees submitted soon. I look forward to seeing everyone at the February meeting.
Pete Parker
Jonas
DuPUICH on
Japanese Black Pine
Here are a few photos from HBS first Saturday monthly meeting at Trini Mendenhall Community Center. A lot of the older members who could no longer at night showed up. The head count was over 70.
Jonas brought Japanese Black Pines all grown from seeds at different stages of development to illustrate the key techniques and methods he practices.
The lecture explained every single step in details and on how each stage of growth determines the final style of the pines.
These two pines are the same age but their individual training regiments make them appear very different. The lecture was filled with much more information than anyone else had ever revealed, for the simple reason that Jonas has always been interested in growing bonsai from seeds, especially in Japanese Black Pines, for over two decades.
After the meeting at Trini, the afternoon workshop continued at Timeless Trees in Rosenberg. Photos contributed by Anthony Cutola
At the regular meeting of the HBS on April 2, 2008, Buddy Allen, Hurley Johnson and Donald Green gave a presentation on displaying bonsai. Following is a summary. 1. Trim the tree. Give the tree its last serious trimming about three to six weeks before the show, depending on how fast the species grows. It’s best if the tree shows new growth at the time of the exhibit. On needled evergreens such as pines, pull all needles growing downward. Just before the show, do
any necessary touch ups: for example, clip any down growing sprouts or shoots that have grown too long.
2. Clean the tree. Cut damaged and oversized leaves. Remove dead twigs and leaves. Do not show a tree with insects. If it has aphids, spider mites, mealy bugs or such, eliminate them before attempting to show the tree. This is not only for the health of the tree but out of consideration for other trees in the show. Remove any other insects or spiders.
3. Clean the surface. The tree should be potted high in the pot, such that only about 1/8 inch of the inside rim of the pot is visible. Remove dead twigs and other debris. Cut small roots growing straight up. If you wish, remove a thin layer of soil and replace it with finely sieved Akadama, Haydite, pine bark or such.
4. Be careful with moss. Moss can draw too much attention and distract from the tree. Use it judiciously and consider removing it after the show because moss can interfere with proper watering.
5. You can show a tree with wiring. The wire must be neat and inconspicuous. It should not detract from the appearance of the tree.
6. Clean the pot. Remove any unsightly calcification with a superfine sanding sponge, Sandflex or chemicals such as lemon juice or vinegar. Be EXTREMELY careful using chemicals such as Lime-a-Way on a pot with a tree in it.
7. Oiling the pot? Disagreement exists on the question of oiling a bonsai pot before an exhibit. Without question, a thin coat of light oil will improve a pot’s appearance and cause many discolorations and imperfections to disappear, temporarily. Some schools of thought, however, hold that a venerable old tree should be shown in a venerable old pot. John Naka held this view.
Kathy Shaner has gone so far as to recommending storing pots in your compost pile or under your benches where run-off water and collected dead leaves can improve the pot’s patina. She also recommends a bath in rice water to take the edge off glazed pots.
Regardless, if you choose to oil the pot, do it at least two days before the show so the oil has time to soak in and is not conspicuous and distracting. Oiling it early is especially important if you use oil with a potentially distracting smell, such as baby oil.
8. Place the tree on an appropriate stand. The pot should be 2/3 the size of the stand; that is, 1/6 of the stand should be exposed on each side of the pot. If you plan to buy a stand, take your tree with you. HBS has a large selection of stands and can usually provide something appropriate.
9. Figurines? The use of figurines also raises debate. The Japanese do not use figurines on the theory that they distract from the tree, which is itself a complete work of art. On the other hand, if figurines have charm and attract particularly younger visitors, where’s the harm? Maybe attracting a younger audience is a greater good. This article was originally published in The Bonsai News of Houston September 2008
We have Alan Raymond to thank for this submission. He even took the time to retype the entire article in Word from a scanned copy.
If you plan to participate in the Shohin category, here is a very helpful article posted by Jonas Dupuich on Bonsai Tonight website not long after he left Houston. This award winning Shohin display was from Gafu-Ten exhibit, one of the most prestigious exhibits in Japan.
Anatomy of a Shohin Display by Jonas Dupuich
One of the first displays to catch my attention at this year's Gafu-ten exhibit featured six trees and an accent plant.
Award-winning display at the 2019 Gafu-ten held Kyoto, Japan
Unlike the display of larger bonsai, shohin display entails complex relationships among all of the trees
in the composition. As the number of trees in a display increases, the complexity of the display also increases. A lot of this complexity arises from the convention of providing contrast in a display. Displaying different species together is one of many forms of possible contrast. A list of the most basic forms of contrast in a shohin display might include:
1. Different species 2. Different styles 3. Different pot colors 4. Different pot shapes 5. Different stands
Black pine in a tiny unglazed pot
The arrangement of display elements offers another layer of complexity.
1. Aim to display trees that are relatively equivalent in size
2. Aim to display each tree at a different level 3. Aim to display trees without leaves next to
trees with leaves 4. Ensure each pair of trees on a shelf point
toward each other 5. Ensure the top tree and the tree off to one
side point toward each other
The display above does a great job meeting each of these criteria. On top of that, each tree is a great example of its species.
Chojubai with swirling exposed roots
Dwarf jasmine with full silhouette and dense branching
Kinzu full of ripe fruit
Trident maple with incredible branch ramification and interesting roots
Shimpaku with dynamic movement and delicate deadwood
An attractive accent to denote the season - selaginella and pyrrosia After spending a few minutes studying this display, I reminded myself that I was in a room full of such displays. More highlights from the 2019 Gafu-ten coming up next week. This article is reprinted with Jonas Dupuich’s permission. For more information or to read more of his great blogs on bonsai, please visit Bonsai Tonight at: https://bonsaitonight.com/2019/01/25/anatomy-of-a-shohin-display/
Creative bonsai display at the 30th Kokubunji Bonsai & Green Festival (Photos: Pinterest) Go to Timeless Trees’ website and subscribe to weekly Current Events to stay in the know about events and classes offered locally. We have bonsai gifts of all kinds, trees, pots, supplies, soils, tools and books as well as Christmas gift certificates for your bonsai lovers and you.
Call for SPONSORSHIP
of the 2019 convention
We thank you for supporting the American Bonsai
Society 2019 National Convention Bonsai on the
Bayou: An American Bonsai Summit. Help HBS
support the art of bonsai while promoting your
business at the same time. HBS has several levels
of sponsorship to fit your business needs. The four-
day convention offers several opportunities to get
your business in front of bonsai lovers of all ages
AND all visitors to the hotel!
For more information visit:
http://houstonbonsaisociety.com/sponsorship/
_____ Imperial Sponsor $5000
_____ Grand Sponsor $2500
_____ Noble Sponsor $1250
_____ Regal Sponsor $600
_____ Excellence in Bonsai Award Sponsor $
__________
_____ Ad-Only Sponsor $ __________
For more information, to return a photo-ready logo,
donated items, and all additional materials, contact:
Peter Parker American Bonsai Society Chair P.O. Box 540727, Houston, TX 77254-0277 Phone: 832-656-0208 [email protected]
Call for RAFFLE DONATION
for the 2019 convention
Dear HBS members,
One of the significant income sources for
conventions like the one we are having in April
is the raffle. At the convention, we will be
holding 5 raffles, 2 on Friday, 2 on Saturday and
a final raffle on Sunday. At our state
conventions, the raffles have always been highly
popular with the attendees and a lot of fun.
We are asking for your generous support with
donations of bonsai related items (books,
magazines, pots, tools, stands and viewing
stones) and healthy bonsai or pre-bonsai. Asian
artworks, clothing, or any other suitable items
will be appreciated as well.
So please start your Spring cleaning of your
bonsai studio, library and bonsai collection a bit
early this year.
I am really short on storage space at my house
and have no room to take extra plants, so please
bring your donated items directly to the Marriott
Westchase on Thursday April 11, beginning at
noon.
If you have to have your donation stored
somewhere, please contact:
Pete Parker (832-656-0208).
Thank you in advance for your generous support
to make this event a huge success.
Best wishes to all in the new year.
Maria Grissom
Raffle chair
713-628-5842
Houston Bonsai society
Proudly presents our
Saturday March 2, 2019 Preview starts at 9:30AM Auction starts at 10:15AM
Donate generously and bid generously!
This is the best and fun way to add to your collection new bonsai, pre-bonsai and bonsai related items of surprisingly great values, whether you are beginner
or a seasoned bonsai aficionado. HBS Annual Club Auction is our one and only annual fundraiser, the main source of revenue for the club to bring in artists and masters for lecture-demos as well as provide foods and drinks for our meetings.
Please donate generously and also bid generously. Donated items of all kinds are accepted, such as healthy trees, pots, books, stands, tools, etc. They will be included in the Live Auction.
There will be another kind of auction, the Silent Auction for "better" trees, pots or stands. The bidding on these items would be start at $100, with a minimum reserve. If it’s not met, the items don’t sell. HBS will split the proceeds with the owners: 80% to the owners, and 20% to the club.
Only HBS members can receive a number for bidding. New members can join right before getting a paddle for bidding.
Don’t forget to bring cash or your checkbook. HBS is not set up to take credit cards or Paypal. Note: Please don’t bring the donations destined for the 2019 State Convention raffles on the same day, unless all items are put in a sealed box and clearly marked for the convention and delivered the to the Raffle chair or Pete Parker for storage.
Calendar of Events
2019
FEB 2 HBS monthly meeting Convention pots with Andy Sankowski. Members are invited to make the kusamono or grass centerpieces for the upcoming convention dinners on March 6, but first, we make the pots.
FEB 9 Saturday Study Group at Quality Feed & Garden 9AM – Noon. Bring your trees, tools, wire and soil. Free, refreshments provided. FEB 9 Bonsai Basics #2 - Styling and Wiring at Timeless Trees, 12 Noon - 4 PM, $60 includes one Ficus,, boxwood, or Podocarpus, wire cutters, hand-out and wire. Everyone goes home with a styled tree. No re-potting in this class.
FEB 9-10 “Best Of” 20 Years Trophy hosted by Bonsai Association Belgium. Details on their FB site at https://bonsaiassociation.be/trophy/.
FEB 16 Japanese Black Pine Study Group with Scott Barboza - Timeless Trees, 9AM – 3PM, $60. Focus: winter work, re-potting, wiring and major cuts. Soil provided.
FEB 23 Cedar Elm Trees, Timeless Trees, 9AM - 1PM $80 includes a Texas Native Cedar Elm, soil and class. These elms have great movement and rootage will be re-potted, pruned and wired. Bring your own 12-14 inch pot or purchase one from the studio. Larger trees are available.
MAR 2 HBS Monthly meeting Annual Auction. Please donate generously and also bid generously. Donated items of all kinds are accepted, such as healthy trees, pots, books, stands, tools, etc. to be included in the Live Auction. A separate Silent Auction will be set up for better trees, pots, viewing stones or stands.
MAR 9 Saturday Study Group at Maas Nursery in Seabrook, 9AM – Noon. Bring your trees, tools, wire and soil. Free, refreshments provided.
MAR 16 Convention kusamono workshop at Quality Feed & Garden 9AM – Noon. Refreshments provided. You will have greater appreciation of accents, how they are created and used to enhance the bonsai tree on display
MAR 22-23 LCBS Annual Exhibit #30 at The SWLA Garden Conference & Expo 2019 Show and Sale in Burton Coliseum, 7101 Gulf Hwy. Lake Charles, LA 70607, from 9 AM – 5PM. Set up will be on Thursday, 21 March 2019.
APR 11-14 Bonsai on the Bayou, the Lone Star Bonsai Federation and American Bonsai Society’s annual convention. Details on https://www.facebook.com/ HoustonBonsai/
Stop by and enjoy Phil’s weekly bonsai show & sale, and a study group on Saturday morning, 8AM-12 Noon, at the Urban Harvest Eastside Farmers’ Market, 3000 Richmond. Make appointments to see pre-bonsai and large bonsai at Cabrera Farm Nursery.
Quality Feed & Garden and Ken stand ready to help you with bonsai trees, basic tools, pots and soils like Akadama, Lava, Pumice, Kanuma, and “Dr. Ken’s Special Bonsai Soil mixes in 10 lb. & 50 lb. bags. Free Bonsai Study classes for HBS every 3 months. Ask for 10% HBS discount.
Come stock up on bonsai soils, pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and other supplies. The plant doctor is always on duty, so bring your unhappy or unhealthy bonsai for a free check-up. Don’t forget to ask for a 10% HBS discount.
The Lunar or Chinese New Year is upon us. JRN II is ready to bring in the year of the Pig with kumquat trees, flowering plants, orchids, narcissii, quinces and mai to decorate your home with. Flowering camellias and evergreen, tropical bonsai as well as supplies can make great gifts for families and friends.
Visit artist Andrew Sankowski at the Mossrock Studio & Fine Art Gallery for the finest gifts and most uniquely beautiful bonsai pots in every shape, form and color. Personalized pots or gifts can be commissioned year round. Weekly pottery classes are also available.
Andrew Sankowski 26002 Oak Ridge Drive Direct (281) 684-4411
The Woodlands, TX 77380 Fax (281) 363-9032
For high quality daizas for viewing stones, Suiseki, bonsai stands and Shoji screens in any shape, form, style, wood, dimensions and colors, please visit artist Jerry Braswell. Send him your designs and specifications for custom wood work. For more info: www.artofthedaiza.wordpress.com
Houston Bonsai Society, Inc. P. O. Box 540727, Houston, Texas 77254-0727
www.houstonbonsaisociety.com
HBS Board Members
President Pete Parker [email protected]
1st Vice President Scott Barboza [email protected] in charge of Education 2nd Vice President Hoe Chuah [email protected] Secretary Maria Grissom [email protected] Publicity Ken Cousino [email protected]
Treasurer Eldon Branham [email protected]
in charge of Membership Webmaster Anthony Cutola [email protected]
Member at Large - O Gale Childers [email protected]
Member at Large - O James Kelly [email protected]
Member at Large - O Ryan Vollert [email protected]
Member at Large – E Soon Cheah [email protected] Member at Large – E John Williams [email protected]
Delegates Past President Hurley Johnson [email protected]
LSBF Delegate Hurley Johnson [email protected]
LSBF Alternate Pete Parker [email protected]
BCI Ambassador
TTSBE Representative Alan Raymond [email protected]
Refreshments
Website/email Gary Teeter [email protected]
Newsletter editor Shawn Nguyen [email protected]
The Bonsai News of Houston is a monthly publication of the Houston Bonsai Society, Inc. Copyright © 2011. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the editor or a member of the Board of Directors. Exceptions exist, however, for certain not-for-profit and non-profit bonsai organizations or associated bonsai and bonsai nursery newsletters, including without limitation the American Bonsai Society. HBS participates fully with reciprocation of contents and material between other LSBF member organizations and others. Authors who submit articles for this newsletter thereby give permission to such organizations to reprint, unless they expressly state otherwise.
Space for advertising in The Bonsai News of Houston can be requested by contacting the newsletter editor or a member of the HBS Board. The rates for a business-card-size ad (approximately 3 1/2" x 2") are $10 per month, and $75 per year (12 issues). A full-page ad is $50 per month. Rates are subject to change without notice. 3½" x 2" classified ads are run free of charge for one month once per 12-month period for non-commercial members. For special requests or questions related to The Bonsai News of Houston, contact the newsletter editor or a member of the HBS Board.
