February 2016 Newsletter

 In Newsletters

Our January meeting started out with planning our 2016 program and activities calendar, and we then had our workshop. A number of club suggestions were expressed and discussed, but not finalized. Let’s complete the program planning at our February meeting.

One of the possibilities we discussed was a spring trip to Muranaka Bonsai Nursery, which is in Nipomo, CA. Although this is a long drive, we have done it before and it is a fun daylong outing. There are trees that can be selected from George Muranaka’s growing fields as well as trees in nursery cans and pots. Give this some thought and can we firm up the date at this month’s meeting.

The California Shohin Society Seminar was held the first weekend in February in Santa Nella, CA. In this issue, Ken Martin reports on the weekend (see page 5). It is a very casual and fun convention. It is held every two years, so give it some thought for the future. If you can go, you will enjoy it. In addition to demonstrations, workshops, and an exhibit of shohin size trees, you will find a vendor section full of items tailored for small trees.

The 20th annual Bonsai-A-Thon is the last weekend of February at the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA. This is the annual fundraiser to support the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s collection at the Huntington, so please come out and support this worthy event. (For more details, see page 6.)

In addition to the usual hall of vendors this is a great chance to stock up not only on trees but also on all things related to bonsai—there will be a sale of trees, viewing stones, and supplies from two estates that have been donated to the GSBF. This promises to be a unique opportunity to acquire first-class material. Also, the organizers are looking for help on Saturday morning to work with students in classes for beginners. If you are available, please let me know.

A number of club shows will be coming up this spring. Keep an eye on our newsletter schedule and the GSBF website for details. It is good to see what our fellow bonsai enthusiasts are showing and how they display their trees.

If you have not already renewed your membership, please do so at our February meeting. This newsletter is only sent to members so please keep your membership current.

Have you started your repotting program yet? With this warm weather, my elms are really popping out. It is time to start your juniper-repotting program. The deciduous trees that are budding out should have already been repotted. (For more about potting, see Barrett’s Bonsai Tips, page 3).

See you at our meeting on Thursday the 18th of February.

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