May 2021 Bonsai Newsletter
Following a very successful online demonstration in April, the Conejo Valley Bonsai Society is planning to cosponsor another virtual event in June. As before, we will join the Bonsai Club of Santa Barbara for this demonstration, which will feature Jonas Dupuich on the development and refinement of black pines.
Be sure to note the special date (June 8) for this program. Remember, the Zoom link will be sent be-forehand to CVBS dues-paying members only, so if you haven’t paid your 2021 dues yet, now’s the time to send in your check (see Membership, page 3). Many thanks to our friends in the BCSB for handling the details of arranging and presenting this event. (For the de-tails see page 2 of the newsletter.)
The April Zoom demonstration with Sergio Cuan was excellent. (See Ken Martin’s report on pages 4 — 7.) The first of two points that stood out for me was the ease and frequency he did grafting for both branches and roots. It really makes you think about developing your tree. The other important point I found was the branch ramification he did. The better the ramification, the older the tree looked, which certainly enhanced the beauty of the tree.
For paid-up members who missed the demo, let me know and I will send you the link to the recorded session, which will remain avail-able until the next event on June 8. I recommend watching it.
In other news, May 30 is the deadline to apply for the California Bonsai Club’s annual Ben Oki Scholarship. As they did last year, CBS is offering two $1,000 grants for “anyone in the bonsai community to be used to attend classes, workshops, study with a pro or other bonsai related educational activity.” To apply, the applicant should contact us. “In that email, explain what you intend to do with the money to improve your bonsai skills, and what you will commit to doing to give back to the bonsai community. Be creative!” CBS said in its announcement.
“Applicants who receive scholarships agree that, in return for these funds, within 15 days of completing classes (or whichever activity they put this scholarship to-ward) they will provide photos and a short write-up of their experience using the scholarship that will be published on the California Bonsai Society website newsletter,” CBS explained in its announcement. It added that “everyone in the bonsai community is encouraged to apply for this chance to expand your own bonsai knowledge and to help con-tribute to the bonsai community.”
