Alabama Bonsai Society

Spring has burst loose and look at the beauty of our world.  Our winter was harsh and we are having one of the best displays of leafing out and flowers I have seen in years.  My bonsai are looking excellent and appear healthier than I have seen them in some time.  I, like everyone else have lost plants, but I hope none of your good bonsai met this end.  Now is the time to turn up your efforts and do the necessary tasks that will enhance your bonsai.  The last two programs at our meetings should provide information that can assist you in the process of producing an excellent bonsai.  Now speaking of excellent bonsai, our show is nearing and I request that each of you provide one tree to the show display.  Please complete the entry information before the next meeting and get it to James Baker or Marty Bostick.  The reason for this request is to allow them time to make the display cards for your trees in the show.  Remember this is our society’s Bonsai Show; Not any one person, everyone is requested to participate.  When you are asked by Brian or Marge to help please step up and help.

I wish to thank all the volunteers that assisted at the BBG Spring plant sale, everyone worked hard but a special thanks to Jane and Charlotte for their efforts.  The BBG has posted a $250,000.00 profit that supports the Gardens.  Another important fact is our Bonsai society provided 224 volunteer hours this month that can be used in seeking grants by the gardens.

I am requesting your input on the programs using the Audio/Video equipment.  How do you see this working better?  If you wish to present a program, let Jack Pierce know so he can schedule your program.  The best way to learn is to teach, because in the preparation for the program you also are exposed to new knowledge that you can now share with us.  The more we share our knowledge the better our bonsai become.  I am challenging each of you to provide a program for our society.

The workshop with Joe Day was well received by those who choose to participate.  The best thing to come out of the workshop was the potential excellent bonsai that will be developed by our members.  I am of the opinion that the workshops should be self sustaining.  In the future when you sign up for a workshop be prepared to pay for the workshop at that time.  The workshops are financed from the funds received from attendees.  We depend on the received attendee funds to cover all the cost in having a workshop. I would like to add that Patty Melton, who usually has a stump after a workshop, had a well designed forest of shimpaku after her workshop.  I hope more of our members will participate in the future.  This is the board provided service for our members, but if we can not get enough participants, then the entire club bears the cost for the workshop.  When we have another workshop show your pride in our society and please participate.

The Rendezvous at Brussels’ is coming up, I hope everyone has considered going to this event.  I have planned to attend this year and I hope you have to.

Please bring a tree in development phase to the Bonsai meeting and be prepared to discuss what steps you plan to make in order to get the tree to the next level.  This process helps everyone better understand our art form and if you are making a miss-step, the members can help you to get back on track.  This is an excellent opportunity to share your knowledge about Bonsai. I enjoy hearing different approaches to a problem.  I hope you will enjoy this information to.

See you at the meeting,

Oscar

A problem that some bonsai enthusiasts often face especially the less experienced is around the topic of shaping their bonsai tree.

For instance people have mentioned that they know the basics of pruning a bonsai and have experience of pruning other plants in the garden to remove dead growth or branches that are growing in the wrong direction.

The problem they have is a bit more fundamental around the artistry of the bonsai tree design. How do they know what shape the tree should be, they don’t have the eye! Whatever that means.

Well if any of you read the last article there is no need to let your bonsai tree grow for ten years before you get a feel for the shape it should be, however there are some guidelines you can follow that will help.

1) The variety of tree, the formal bonsai shapes such as formal upright, slanting and cascade are more suited to specific species of tree than others. So do some research decide on the style you want then choose a suitable bonsai tree variety.

2) Next, look at lots of pictures of bonsai trees and study bonsai you see, try to get a feel for the classic lines and structure that is used. You will find it doesn’t take that long to be able to spot typical shapes a tree could form. They may not end up winning competions but so what, it will bring you satisfaction.

3) Study nature and full size trees you see as you are out and about. This is my preferred method. A lot of bonsai experts and masters prefer to look at trees without any foliage for precisely this reason they can see the true form and structure of the tree. It is like an architect looking at the structure of a building, they can admire its true design the rest is just decoration.

A couple of examples for you to consider, first recently I have noticed a lot of Jin on trees as I pass them near where I live. Jin are dead branches or stumps that are devoid of bark and can be seen on bonsai and deliberately introduced if desired, to give the impresion of age. Well one in particular has caught my eye so I have taken a photo and will be adding it to a bonsai tree in the future that seems to have a branch in a similar position, or one I can grow.

In another instance I recently travelled to the coast and whilst driving noticed all the trees leaning inland away from the obviously regular coastal wind. This gave rise to some tremendous shapes similar to the photos shown. You bet I will be using these as inspiration in the future.

Lets remember Bonsai are supposed to represent full size trees growing wild so where best to take design tips and inspiration from than natural growing trees themselves.

Hope this helps give you a few ideas and inspire your creativity and ability to get the eye for growing and shaping bonsai trees.