Bonsai Notebook

Board Meeting at 6pm

Prior to general meeting
Everyone Welcome
We will be discussing options for our Annual Sale and more

Our March 11 meeting will be at the Arboretum at 7pm, but in the Oak Room instead of Ayres Hall. This is a one-time change to allow for use of the Ayres Hall kitchen by another organization. We have been promised hot coffee and fresh cookies in exchange. The Oak Room is located directly below the Peacock Café (directions later in the newsletter).

Tak Shimazu will be our guest demonstrator. He is a well-known local bonsai master, and will style a Japanese black pine at the meeting. Tak was born in Kumamoto, Japan and emigrated to the U.S. in 1968, residing in Orange County. He ran his own gardening service for 40 years before retiring.

Tak got started in bonsai as a hobby, being tutored by his brother. From there, he studied with John Naka and Harry Hirao. He specializes in Japanese black pine and juniper bonsai. Tak is an expert at grafting Itoigawa Shimpaku on San Jose and prostrata juniper. He has led many workshops at GSBF events and teaches at his home in Riverside.

Join us in March to watch Tak’s artistry.

President’s Corner

The Spring brings with it bonsai repotting time. I hope you had a chance to attend the Bonsai-A-Thon at the Huntington and pick up potting supplies if you didn’t already have them. The question of “what mix do you use?” always comes up at this time of year. Answers will vary, but presently inorganic mixes seem to predominate. I am referring to mixes that include some combination of pumice, perlite, lava rock and acadama. A popular mix is equal parts pumice, lava rock and acadama. Some people substitute perlite for pumice. Some use only one of the ingredients, or a different ratio. I have been told adding a little organic potting soil to this mix seems to work well with deciduous trees.

Whatever you use, the goal is soil that drains quickly so water doesn’t pool and lead to root rot.

Acadama is unique to bonsai and usually only found at bonsai supply companies such as Bonsai Unlimited in Chino or House of Bonsai in Lakewood. Bonsai-specific nurseries will also carry it. Pumice and lava rock can be found at landscape supply companies like Whittier Fertilizer Company, Orange County Farm Supply, and O.F. Wolfinbarger in Chino. For pumice, I like using Dry Stall, a product used for horse stalls and available at most farm animal feed stores. Dry Stall is pumice that has already been sifted and washed, so it is ready to mix. (addresses & info for resources are available in the links menu on our website at www.sabonsai.org )

Now is the time to collect the soil elements of your choice and mix it up for potting. How often to repot is another topic, but your trees should be ok as long as your soil drains well and has not become rootbound.

~Dave

February Meeting Highlights

We had a wonderful time at the February meeting, making up for our lost January meeting. There was an abundance of food for the potluck dinner, our Board members were officially installed, and we played Bonsai Bingo. The meeting was also the kickoff to our annual membership drive and most of our attendees either rejoined or joined for the first time.
We very much appreciate everyone’s support

Mike Kelly was the energetic m/c of bingo and kept the games going until the bountiful prize table was empty. We learned a lot of bonsai-related words we were unfamiliar with along with words we regularly use. Bingo is still bingo in whatever form you use, and there was lots of laughter and anticipation as each game progressed. We often had multiple winners in games, and every winner got a prize (thanks to all the nice items donated by members). “Rock-Paper- Scissors” made it easy to decide which winner could choose first. I think everyone enjoyed the games. Bonsai Bingo may become one of our annual events if the membership agrees.

Thanks to Becky V for her awesome photography

Members Corner

Welcome New Members

Clark & Emily Taylor
Gabriel Gonzalez
Amanda Tsurutani

And to all who renewed again

• 2023 current members will be voting to approve the new SABS By-Laws at the March meeting.
  Copies are available upon request from Lorraine at LMiles@sabonsai.org prior to March 11, 2023.

• 2023 Membership to Santa Anita Bonsai Society for the calendar year Jan-Dec 2023 began at the Jan “storm lockout” Meeting. Thanks to those of you who have already joined/ renewed.
  Annual dues are $20 for Individuals and $25 for family memberships. Dues may be paid by cash or check. We are still working on electronic payment but not quite ready to launch. New members who joined in Oct-Dec 2022 will be carried over into 2023. If you are unable to attend a meeting but would like to join SABS please contact Lorraine at LMiles@sabonsai.org to receive a mail–in membership form.

• We would like to extend a special “thank you” to all of you who donated so generously to the raffle table for Bonsai Bingo

Jim & Helen Barrett, Sue Cook, Manuel Dizon, Ron Espiritu, YS Farn,
Gabriel Gonzalez, Mike Kelly, Peter Macasieb, David & Debra Mauzy Melitz,
Dave Miles, Rick Nabor, Bryan Nicholson, Jim Pelling, Steve Riley,
Richard Ryerson, Vic Shelton, Wendy Tsai, Becky Villasenor

and to all who purchased extra bingo cards—what a fun nite we had!!!!

Thanks to all
who donated food to our
Annual Potluck

Upcoming Events

2nd Saturday monthly
Kimura Bonsai sponsors monthly workshops at their new site, Kashi no ki-en in Castaic; contact them for details at 818-343-4090.

April 24
GSBF Golden Zoom Series with Andrew Robson on defoliation

2023 Monthly Meeting Dates

Mar 11
Location: LA Arboretum—Oak Room (lower level of Peacock Cafe)
Demo: Tak Shimazu

April 8
Location LA Arboretum — Ayres Hall
Demo: Peter Macasieb

May 13
Location: LA Arboretum—Ayres Hall
Demo:TBA

Meeting Refreshment Schedule
SABS Club to provide water

Mar 11
J. Anthony, S. Cook, B Villasenor
plus cookies & coffee compliments of the Peacock Cafe

April 8
J. Anthony, D. Deephouse, P. Macasieb

May 13
J. Anthony, F. Saya, V. Shelton, D&D Mauzy-Melitz

Come Join Us

Next Meeting
Date: March 11, 2023
Time: 7pm

Location:
LA Arboretum– Oak Room
lower level of Peacock Cafe
301 N. Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007

The main entrance is at Ayres Hall Gate in the East parking lot during construction

Directions to the Oak Room at the Arboretum

Enter through the Ayres Hall gate and follow the cement walking path west until it intersects the asphalt path.
Turn left and you will arrive at the Peacock Café.
Follow the path to the right of the café which will take you to the lower level and the Oak Room.

Bonsai Notebook

Next SABS Meeting:
February 11, 2023
7pm
LA Arboretum– Ayres Hall
Join us for
The SABS Annual Potluck
Membership Drive
&
Bonsai Bingo

Board Meeting at 6pm
prior to general meeting
Everyone Welcome
We will be discussing options for our May 2023 Annual Show and Sale

The temporary entrance to the Arboretum is through the Ayres Hall Gate while the front area is under construction. Ayres Hall is the building on the left as you enter the gate. The doors will be open on the far side of the building.

President’s Corner

I will start this newsletter by once again welcoming everyone to a new year of bonsai for the Santa Anita Bonsai Society. We had a wet and disappointing experience trying to start off our year in January. Arboretum Security failed to open the gate and Ayres Hall for our meeting. We stood in the rain with our potluck food and called several phone numbers trying to reach the security office with no success. In the end, I had to cancel the meeting, and we all went home wet and with extra food to eat.

I called the Arboretum on the Monday following, and they were very apologetic. Security had a schedule that included our meeting, but someone “dropped the ball”. I was given a new phone number for the security office since, apparently, the previous security company’s contract had expired, and a new company had taken over.

I appreciate the effort of all the members who braved the rain and showed up eager to eat and play bingo.

The February 11 meeting will be a repeat of the January plan. We will have the potluck dinner, a brief officer installation ceremony, and play Bonsai Bingo. The club will provide the main dish and water. Please bring your favorite side, salad or dessert for the potluck.

The meeting will also kickoff our annual membership drive/renewal. Come and help us continue to sustain our club by renewing your membership or joining for the first time. Memberships can be paid with cash or check.

Our meeting entertainment will consist of several Bonsai Bingo games, played one after another. Each member in attendance will receive a game card and additional game cards will be available for purchase. The cards will be reused for each new game. Game winners will get a prize from the prize/raffle table, so please bring a prize item you would like to win. I guarantee you will all enjoy the games.

For 2023 we have several programs planned to provide a worthwhile learning experience as we celebrate the art of bonsai.

~Dave

Members Corner

• 2023 Officers Installation and Board members introductions will happen at the Feb 2023 meeting.
  It is time to refill many of our board positions. Post covid, there are multiple vacancies and we could truly use your help and ideas. We are an entirely volunteer board and try to divide up responsibilities and keep the new ideas flowing. If you are interested in helping please contact Dave & Lorraine at lmiles@sabonsai.org or call Dave at 909 519 5391 before the Feb 11 meeting to find out more about the following positions:
  Vice President: Program Chair: arranging for demonstrators and workshops for the monthly meetings
  Social Media Director/ Liaison: all things media related
  Secretary: record minutes at board mtgs
  Hospitality Chair and committee of 2-3: manage the monthly meeting refreshment table
  Members at large: varying assignments including badges, raffle table assistant, photographer, historian, and more

• 2023 Membership to Santa Anita Bonsai Society for the calendar year Jan-Dec 2023 began at the Jan Meeting. Thanks to those of you who joined and renewed in the pouring rain.
  Annual Dues are $20 for Individuals and $25 for family memberships. Dues may be paid by cash or check.
  We are still working on electronic payment but not quite ready to launch.
  New members who joined in Oct-Dec 2022 will be carried over into 2023.

• We are trying something new– As discussed at the Nov meeting, we are trying to save on printing & mailing expenses.
  Beginning Jan 2023 the newsletter will be available primarily online at the www.sabonsai.org website and via email.
  Those of you who previously received it by US mail will now be able to access more photos and current club & area updates.
  An email will be sent monthly to let you know that the newsletter has been posted.
  Your email changes and corrections should be sent to Lorraine at LMiles@sabonsai.org.
  For members without computer access the US mailing can continue, just let Lorraine know your status.

Members Corner- Highlights

The Baikoen Bonsai Kenkyukai Winter Silhouette Show on Jan 21-22 was spectacular.
It is truly a unique, one of its kind show.
It was extra special for SABS this year, as our President, Dave, was the recipient of the Nagata-Komai Award. As he explained to us all, it was a humbling honor to receive this award. He began his bonsai journey in 1973 (50 yrs ago) by taking classes at the Komai Nursery with his sensei, Jim Barrett.
An added highlight for the evening was the opportunity to meet with Karen Komai Margolis, Khan and Kay’s daughter, just prior to Dave receiving this award.

Many thanks to Lindsay, Debbie, Big Joe and all the Baikoen Club members from the Miles Family & SABS.

Welcome New 2023 Members

Christian Lebano
Cedric Navarro

2023 SABS Monthly Meeting Dates

Feb 11
Location: LA Arboretum– Ayres Hall
Annual Meeting
Potluck, Membership Drive, Bonsai Bingo

Club will provide main dish & water
Bring your favorite side, salad or dessert

and play
Bonsai Bingo
It will be an evening of fun & learning & prizes.
Bring something for the prize/raffle table that you would like to win– plants, pots, tools, books, accessories, a bag of dirt…
Multiple games will be played.

Mar 11
Location: LA Arboretum—Ayres Hall
Demo: Tak Shimazu

April 8
Location LA Arboretum — Ayres Hall
Demo: TBA

2023 Refreshment Schedule

Please bring food to share for our Feb 11 Potluck.
the main dishes will include: Pork inihaw (grilled pork), pancit bihon (Philippine noodles) & El Pollo Loco Chicken

Sign ups for 2023 will be available at the Feb 11 meeting

Upcoming Events

Feb 3-5, 2023
California Shohin Society 18th Biennial Shohin Seminar 2023.
Hotel Mission de Oro Conference Center, Santa Nella, CA.
www.calshohin.org

Feb 25-26,2023
GSBF Bonsai-A-Thon,
The Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151Oxford Rd. San Marino
10a-5p
the link on the reservation portal is: https://forms.gle/kDAwrskj4dNYcsRd8
If link does not open then cut & paste into your browser

Come Join Us Feb 11

Bonsai Notebook

Next SABS Meeting
January 14, 2023
7pm
LA Arboretum– Ayres Hall

Welcome to a new year of bonsai! Our January 14 meeting will be held at 7:00pm at the Arboretum. We will meet in Ayres Hall, and you will enter the Arboretum through the Ayres Hall gate (the temporary main entrance). Once through the gate, follow the perimeter of the building around the corners to the south side doors.

This meeting will be our annual potluck dinner and will include a brief ceremony for the installation of club officers. The club will be providing the main dish for dinner. Bring your favorite side, salad or dessert for the potluck. The meeting will also be the time for annual membership renewal, so please come prepared to help sustain our club by renewing (or joining for the first time). Memberships can be paid for with cash or check.

Along with all the great food and social time, our program will consist of games of Bonsai Bingo that we are confident you will all enjoy. The bingo card squares are bonsai-related words rather than numbers and letters, making the game both informative and entertaining. We will play multiple games with winners getting a prize from the prize/raffle table, so please bring something for the prize table you would like to win.

Every member in attendance will receive a game card and additional cards will be available for purchase (cash only). The cards will be reused for each new game. There are often multiple winners in each game, making each game exciting for everyone.
We are planning a new year full of interesting bonsai programs, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to provide a worthwhile learning experience as we celebrate the art of bonsai.

President’s Corner

Happy New Year to all of you.
I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and that you are ready for a new year of bonsai events. We start off with our annual holiday potluck dinner and membership drive (see Members Corner for details). Then Baikoen will host their Annual Winter Silhouettes Show Jan 21-22. It is the most unique show of its kind and should not be missed.
The California Shohin Society will have the Shohin Seminar in Santa Nella Feb.3-5, and the GSBF Bonsai-A-Thon will be held Feb.25-26 at the Huntington. These events are a great beginning to the year and a wonderful way to explore the art of bonsai.

We will be back at the Arboretum for at least six meetings this year while the main entrance area is still under construction. Our newsletter/ website www.sabonsai.org will keep you up to date when we schedule a meeting at an alternate site. The meetings will all be held in Ayres Hall, but the Hall will not be available to us for our annual show this year. Other options for a show location are being considered, and if anyone has a suggestion, please let me know.

As president, I want to thank all the members of the SABS Board of Directors for their help in continuing to keep our club viable. We could not operate a club without them. There will be an installation ceremony at the January meeting for the Board officers, so you can see who they are. We will also recognize the other Board members who handle the different tasks to make our meetings possible. We welcome anyone in the club willing to help us and volunteer needs will be shared at the meeting.

~Dave

Members Corner

• 2023 Officers Installation and Board members introductions will happen at the Jan 2023 meeting.
  It is time to refill many of our board positions. Post covid, there are multiple vacancies and we could truly use your help and ideas. We are an entirely volunteer board and try to divide up responsibilities and keep the new ideas flowing.
  If you are interested in helping please contact Dave & Lorraine at lmiles@sabonsai.org, or call Dave at 909 519 5391 before the Jan 14 meeting to find out more about the following positions:
  Vice President/Program Chairman: arranging for demonstrators and workshops for the monthly meetings
  Secretary: record minutes at board mtgs
  Social Media Director/ Liaison: all things media related
  Hospitality Chairman and committee of 2-3: manage the monthly meeting refreshment table
  Members at large: varying assignments including badges, raffle table assistant, photographer, historian, and more

• 2023 Membership to Santa Anita Bonsai Society for the calendar year Jan-Dec 2023 will be available beginning at the Jan meeting.
  Annual Dues are $20 for Individuals and $25 for family memberships. Dues may be paid by cash or check. We are still working on electronic payment but not quite ready to launch.
  New members who joined in Oct-Dec 2022 will be carried over into 2023.

• We are trying something new–
  As discussed at the Nov meeting, to save on printing & mailing expenses beginning Jan 2023 the newsletter will be available primarily online at the www.sabonsai.org website and via email.
  Those of you who previously received it by US mail will now be able to access more photos and current club & area updates.
  An email will be sent monthly to let you know that the newsletter has been posted and available to download.
  Your email changes and corrections should be sent to Lorraine at lmiles@sabonsai.org.
  For members without computer access US mailing can continue, just let Lorraine know your status.

Nov 2022 Event Highlights

Al Rivera was our guest demonstrator in November, and he brought his associate Takuma Lenaga along to assist him. Al had three trees for members to chose from for the demo, and their choice was a nice Kishu Shimpaku.
He began his styling by removing undergrowth and cleaning up the inside of branches to make room for wire.
Al jinned several branches for his design and then wrapped the trunk and remaining branches with rubberized electrical tape. He said this type of tape stretched well and provided a tight wrap to protect the tree against severe bending once the wire was applied. Al used heavy wiring and, with the help of Takuma, made tight bends in the trunk and branches to achieve his intended design.
The completed styling produced a beautiful informal upright tree that was drastically different from the material Al started with.

Steve Anthony was the lucky raffle winner of Al’s tree; a great gift for the holidays.

Thank You
To our November Raffle Table Donors

Bob Alderette
Steve & Judy Anthony
Jim & Helen Barrett
Jerry Banuelos
Dave Miles
Al Rivera
YS Farn

And to all who so generously purchased tickets

Welcome New Members

Tom Poplin
David Clark

Upcoming Events

Jan 21-22, 2023
59th Baikoen Bonsai Kenkyukai Winter Silhouette Show and Sale
Temple City Live Oak Park Community Center, Live Oak Room
10144 Bogue St. Temple City, CA 91780
10a– 4:30p
Sales and demonstration at 1pm on both days
www.baikoenbonsai.com

Feb 3-5, 2023
California Shohin Society 18th Biennial Shohin Seminar 2023
Hotel Mission de Oro Conference Center, Santa Nella, CA
Registration must be postmarked by Dec 15, 2022 to be part of the workshop lottery
www.calshohin.org

Feb 25-26,2023
GSBF Bonsai-A-Thon
The Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151Oxford Rd. San Marino
10a-5p,
watch for link on reservation portal (available after Jan 10)

2023 Monthly Meeting Dates

Jan 14 -– Location: LA Arboretum– Ayres Hall
Annual Meeting
Potluck, Membership Drive, Bonsai Bingo
Bonsai Bingo will be an evening of fun & learning for all
Bring something for the prize/raffle table that you would like to win–
…plants, pots, tools, books, accessories, a bag of dirt… Multiple games will be played

Feb 11 — Location: LA Arboretum—Ayres Hall
Demo: TBA

Mar 11— Location: LA Arboretum—Ayres Hall
Demo: TBA

Come Join Us

Date: January 14, 2023
Time: 7pm
Location: LA Arboretum– Ayres Hall
301 N. Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007

Refreshment Schedule

Jan 14– Annual Potluck
Club will provide main dish & water
Bring your favorite side, salad or dessert

Refreshment Sign ups for 2023 will be available at the Jan meeting

Bonsai Notebook

Next SABS Meeting:
January 14, 2023
7pm
LA Arboretum- Ayres Hall

Santa Anita Bonsai Society Members,

There will not be a general meeting during December.
Please Save the Date– Jan 14, 2023 to attend the SABS Annual Potluck Dinner Meeting
Additional information & details about this meeting will be in the Jan Newsletter posted on our website www.sabonsai.org

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas Season and many blessings during this most wonderful time of the year.

As Always,
Dave & Lorraine

ContactUs@sabonsai.org

Bonsai Notebook

Next SABS Meeting: Nov 12, 2022

7pm- General Meeting & Demonstration
Longo Toyota Meeting Room
3534 Peck Road, El Monte, CA 91731

6pm Board Meeting prior to the General meeting
all members are welcome to attend

The November 12 meeting will be held at Longo Toyota in El Monte at 7:00pm with a Board meeting preceding it at 6:00pm. Our guest demonstrator will be Al Rivera. Al has been with us in the past, and we look forward to watching his design style again. Al has been a member of San Sui Kai and Descanso Bonsai Society and has been active in bonsai for about 15 years. He is known for collecting California junipers and Rocky Mountain junipers, and he enjoys grafting and wiring.

Al has studied with Roy Nagatoshi, and junipers are his favorite material to work with. He will style a juniper at our meeting. Al makes his own fertilizer cakes and prefers using copper wire on his trees. It will be interesting to hear him talk about both as he works.

Join us in November for our last meeting of 2022.

President’s Corner

I was notified recently that we can return to the Arboretum for meetings beginning in January 2023. The meetings will be in Ayres Hall which is currently used to house office staff while construction continues at the main entrance buildings. We will meet there from January 2023 through July 2023 and then meet at alternative sites, August through October.

We are looking for a location for our Memorial Day Weekend show in May of 2023. The Arboretum will not be available while Ayres Hall is used for staff offices, so we need another location to put on the show. The Baikoen Club will be using a community hall in Temple City for their Silhouettes Show and this site could be a possibility for us. We need to find a site soon to ensure we can lock in a date. If anyone is aware of a meeting hall that can accommodate our show, please let me know.

Flyers for the semi-annual California Shohin Seminar were available at the GSBF Rendezvous. The seminar will be held February 3-5, 2023, in Santa Nella at the same location as the Rendezvous. Registrations are being accepted now and space goes quickly. This is a popular event, and bonsai enthusiasts from across the country will attend. Information is available at www.calshohin.org

Members Corner

***Please join us for the 6pm board meeting before the general meeting. We will be discussing the changes which will be occurring during 2023. These include expanding officer roles, meeting demo ideas, planning for our January Annual meeting, a possible Annual Show, increasing our social media footprint and much more.

***2023 Officer and board member elections are scheduled to be held at the Jan 2023 meeting.
It is time to refill many of our board positions. Post covid, there are multiple vacancies, and we could truly use your help and ideas. We are an entirely volunteer board and try to divide up responsibilities and keep the new ideas flowing. If you are interested in helping, please contact Dave & Lorraine at Lmiles@sabonsai.org or call Dave at 909-519-5391 to find out more about the following positions:

*Vice President: assist with finding meeting locations
*Program Chairman: arranging for demonstrators and workshops for the monthly meetings
*Social Media Director: all things media related
*Secretary: record minutes at board mtgs
*Hospitality Chairperson and committee of 2-3: manage the monthly meeting refreshment table
*Members at large: varying assignments including badges, raffle table assistant, photographer, historian, and more

***This November meeting is our last meeting of 2022. We are looking forward to getting back together at the Arboretum Jan 14, 2023. Options for the return of our Annual Potluck will be discussed at the Nov Board Meeting.

Oct 2022 Event Highlights

We did not meet in October, but there were two noteworthy events many of our members attended.

The first event was the Chino Bonsai Club Bonsai Exhibit held in San Gabriel. Just like last year’s show, the trees in the exhibit were of outstanding quality. It was amazing to see so many beautiful trees in one place. In addition to the show trees, there were vendors, auctions, demonstrations, and a tasty dinner reception on Saturday.

The second event was the Golden State Bonsai Federation Rendezvous in Santa Nella, also attended by many of our members. The event included vendors selling everything bonsai related, including trees. There were several demonstrations, a beautiful exhibit, and exciting silents auctions. David Nguy performed a styling demonstration on a California juniper that became the subject of a live auction. Our own Mike Kelly was the highest bidder and took home David’s beautiful tree. The Rendezvous was a lot of fun and provided great interaction for all who attended.

Upcoming Events

Nov 12-13
Pacific Bonsai Expo. The Bridge Yard Event Center, Oakland, CA, Large show with 70 trees, cash prizes and trophies for best in show, conifers, deciduous, broad-leaf evergreen, shohin.
www.pacificbonsaiexpo.com

Nov 27 CBS Annual Member’s Sale at Yamaguchi Bonsai Nursery.
9am– 1pm
1905 Sawtelle Blvd, West LA 90025
www.californiabonsaisociety.com

Jan 21-22, 2023
59th Baikoen Bonsai Kenkyukai Winter Silhouette Show and Sale
Temple City Live Oak Park Community Center, Live Oak Room 10144 Bogue St. Temple City, CA 91780
10a– 4:30p.
Sales and demonstration at 1pm on both days.
www.baikoenbonsai.com

Feb 3-5, 2023 California Shohin Society 18th Biennial Shohin Seminar 2023
Hotel Mission de Oro Conference Center, Santa Nella, CA.
Registration must be postmarked by Dec 15, 2022 to be part of the workshop lottery.
www.calshohin.org

2022-23 Monthly Meeting Dates

Nov 12 — Al Rivera at Longo Toyota
Dec 10 — no meeting: Happy Holidays
Jan 14 — Annual Meeting / Demonstration by Lou Camerota

Refreshment Schedule

Drinks: bring your own
: water by SABS
Nov 12– Bob Alderette
If you have a favorite, please bring it our members always enjoy munching while learning

Come Join Us

Next Meeting:
Date: November 12, 2022

6pm Board Meeting: Prior to General Meeting
Everyone Welcome- We will be planning 2023

7pm General Meeting & Demonstration

Location: Longo Toyota, El Monte

-No meeting in October-

Join us at the GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous in Santa Nella Oct 8-9

Next SABS Meeting:

Nov 12, 2022 at Longo Toyota 7pm 6pm Board Meeting prior to the General Meeting
Everyone Welcome
We will be planning 2023

Bonsai Notebook

We will not have a club meeting in October. Our meeting date conflicts with the Golden State Bonsai Federation (GSBF) Rendezvous in Santa Nella, so we are deferring to the state-wide event. Participation in the Rendezvous is free, so it is a great opportunity for all our members to help support GSBF.

The Rendezvous will be held at the Hotel Mission de Oro in Santa Nella October 8-9. Details about the event can be seen on the GSBF website www.gsbfbonsai.org
There are several motels in Santa Nella with reasonable rates. The Hotel Mission de Oro is usually fully booked by now, but you can still try for a room there with other options close by.

The Rendezvous will include bonsai demonstrations by many bonsai masters, exhibits, auctions, and lots of vendors.

President’s Corner

This time of year ushers in beautiful Fall colors. Our deciduous trees: maples, liquid amber, ginkgo, birch, etc. will hopefully exhibit this colorful phenomenon. I have read that adding a tablespoon of blood meal to a gallon of water yields a solution that when used to water our deciduous trees can enhance the colors. It could be an interesting experiment.
Now is a good time for cleaning up the display benches around our trees. Also, spray the bench area with both a fungicide and an insecticide to kill off any pests that want to stay for the winter.
Inspect all your wired branches for girding. Imbedded wire will inhibit branch growth in the spring, besides leaving a scar.
Most important of all, enjoy your trees as we move into the cooler months. Tree shapes should hold well during the seasonal slow-growth period and dormancy.
~Dave

Members Corner

Please note on your calendar, there will not be a club meeting on Oct 8, the 2nd Saturday in October because of the GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous held in Santa Nella, CA. All members are encouraged to attend this 2-day event– it is well worth the drive.

SABS next regular meeting will be on Nov 12 at Longo Toyota in El Monte. Details and information will be included in the next newsletter (Nov 2022).

Many changes are happening for SABS. Due to Arboretum construction our locations are going to be creative until June 2023.

2023 Meeting location and demonstration updates will be posted in the monthly newsletters on our website. www.sabonsai.org

We also now have a new email address: ContactUs@sabonsai.org for questions and comments. So sorry about the “techy challenges” incurred in Sept but it seems to be back up and running once again

2023 Officer and board member elections are scheduled to be held at the Jan 2023 meeting.
It is time to refill many of our board positions. Post covid, there are multiple vacancies and we could truly use your help and ideas. We are an entirely volunteer board and try to divide up responsibilities and keep the new ideas flowing. If you are interested in helping, please contact Dave & Lorraine at lmiles@sabonsai.org, or call Dave at 909 519 5391 to find out more about the following positions:
Vice President: assist with finding meeting locations
Program Chairman: arranging for demonstrators & workshops for the monthly meetings
Social Media Director: all things media related
Secretary: record minutes at board mtgs
Hospitality Chairperson and committee of 2-3: manage the monthly meeting refreshment table
Members at large: varying assignments including badges, raffle table assistant, photographer, historian, and more

Thank you to the following members for volunteering in the following interim positions between now and the elections Jan 2023

Matt Mahaffey– Social Media
Bryan Nicholson– Secretary
Becky Villasenor – Photography

Sept 2022 Meeting Highlights

David & June Nguy hosted our September meeting at their home in Chino, so everyone had the opportunity to walk through their bonsai garden and see David’s fabulous collection. For most of us, it was a very humbling experience to see such spectacular trees.

David and June recently built a Japanese tea house in the garden, and it was a beautiful addition.

With so much to see, it was difficult rounding everyone up for David’s demonstration, but we settled in and he took over.
David provided a very healthy and full Itoigawa juniper to work on for us. He started by talking about the importance of cleaning the inside of branches for wiring and to stimulate new growth. He described wiring technique as it related to the direction of a bend. He said it was important to bend a branch into position before applying wire to help hold the branch securely and prevent the wire from opening up if put on before bending.

David described the importance of branch placement to develop the design and also to provide open space between pads for light to enter. With the help of Ryan and Jerry from the Chino Bonsai Club, David wired and shaped the tree into a beautiful informal upright style.

Our club appreciated the generosity and hospitality that David and June shared with us when we had the pleasure of visiting their home and garden. It was such a unique opportunity that we have been able to enjoy for many years.

We had a very full raffle of bonsai items for our members, and at the end, Anthony Aguirre was the lucky winner of David’s demo tree. Thanks to Jim & Judylynn Pelling for managing our raffles.

Thanks also, to Becky V. for photographing the evening.

Thank You
To our September Raffle Table Donors

Jim & Helen Barrett
Jerry Banuelos
Mike Kelly
Peter Macasieb
Dave Miles
David & June Nguy
Ken Teh
Wendy Tsai

And to all who so generously purchase tickets

Upcoming Events

Oct 1-2
Chino Bonsai Club 2nd Annual Bonsai Exhibit 261 S Junipero Sierra Dr. San Gabriel, CA
9-5pm daily- demos, raffle, auction, vendor & club Sales
Sat 5:30-Dinner reception

Oct 5-9
Kofu Kai Bonsai Exhibit at The Bowers Museum, 2002N Main St, Santa Ana
10am-4pm daily

Oct 8-9
GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous, Hotel de Oro, Santa Nella, CA.
Check the GSBF website for details

Nov 12-13
Pacific Bonsai Expo, The Bridge Yard Event Center, Oakland, CA,
Large show with cash prizes and trophies for best in show, conifers, deciduous, broad-leaf evergreen, shohin

2022-23 Monthly Meeting Dates

Oct 8— no meeting due to GSBF Rendezvous
Nov 12 — Al Rivera at Longo Toyota
Dec 10 — no meeting: Happy Holidays
Jan 14 -– Annual meeting: details TBA

Refreshment Schedule
Drinks: bring your own ( water by SABS)

Nov 12– Snacks: Bob Alderette If you have a favorite, please bring it- our members always enjoy munching while learning

Come Join Us

Meeting Time and Place
Sept 10, 2022
at 6pm
at the home of David & June Nguy
Chino, CA

SABS Bonsai Notebook

Our final summer road trip will be Sept. 10 at the home of David and June Nguy in Chino.
We will start at 6:00pm to take advantage of this daylight event. Once again, David and June are graciously hosting our club meeting in the midst of David’s amazing bonsai collection. We are so fortunate to have a bonsai master like David so accessible to our club. He is well known throughout the world of bonsai for his work with junipers, especially California junipers. Black pines are also his specialty and many of both are on display in his garden.
Come early so you have time to view David’s vast bonsai collection. It is worth the trip alone.

Also, David and June’s Chino Bonsai Club will have its annual bonsai exhibit Oct. 1-2.
See “Up Coming Events” for details.

Many of you have already had the opportunity to visit David & June’s Garden and know the way to their home. For the purpose of privacy we are not including directions in this post.

If you are a “first timer” and need directions please email to ContactUs@sabonsai.org
Directions and street address will be emailed to you prior to the meeting.

President’s Corner

The summer heat is still on, so we need to stay vigilant with our watering.
Know your own trees; their sun exposure (shaded or not), soil mixture (fast draining or not), and general appearance (healthy, wilted?).
Your specific situation will dictate your watering needs (once/day, twice/day).
It’s a good time to cut back on nitrogen-based fertilizers and turn to more potash and phosphorus.
As we move into the fall, you can gather tree seeds to store through the winter for spring planting.
I like to collect acorns for new oak trees. Find a large oak that has good structure in a park or wildland.
Collect the acorns that it drops. Put the acorns in a tub or glass of water (depending on how many you have) and throw away the ones that float.
Wrap the remaining “sinkers” in a paper towel and store them in the refrigerator until spring, and then plant.
It is fascinating to watch new seedling pop through the soil.
~Dave

Members Corner

• Many changes are happening for SABS. Due to Arboretum construction our locations are going to be creative until June 2023
  Meeting location and demonstration updates will be posted on our website at www.sabonsai.org
  We also now have a new email address: ContactUs@sabonsai.org for questions and comments

• 2023 Officer and board member elections are scheduled to be held at the Jan 2023 meeting.
  It is time to refill many of our board positions. Post covid, there are multiple vacancies and we could truly use your help and ideas.
  We are an entirely volunteer board and try to divide up responsibilities and keep the new ideas flowing.
  If you are interested in helping please contact Dave & Lorraine at LMiles@sabonsai.org, or call Dave at 909 519 5391 to find out more about the following positions

Vice President: assist with finding meeting locations

Program Chairman: arranging for demonstrators and workshops for the monthly meeting

Social Media Director: all things media related

Secretary: record minutes at board meetings

Hospitality Chairperson and committee of 2-3: manage the monthly meeting refreshment table

Members at large: varying assignments including badges, raffle table assistant, photographer, historian, and more

• Thank you to the following members for volunteering in the following interim positions between now and the elections Jan 2023

Matt Mahaffey– Social Media

Bryan Nicholson– Secretary

Becky Villasenor – Photography

• Membership
  Many thanks to Judy & Steve Anthony for their years of support as membership chairs. They will continue as Treasurers but are transitioning the membership role to Lorraine.
  Please direct any membership questions to Lorraine Miles at LMiles@sabonsai.org. or contactus@sabonsai.org
  All membership dues/ payments are payable to SABS.
  We do hope to include Zelle & Venmo options in 2023.

• Please note on your calendar, there will not be a club meeting on Oct 8, the 2nd Saturday in October because of the GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous held in Santa Nella, CA. All members are encouraged to attend this 2-day event– it is well worth the drive. SABS next regular meeting will be on Nov.12. Check the website for the yet to be determined location.

• We would like to say a special “thank you” to Robert Sencer. Robert has been our Webmaster and has managed all things Social Media since 2013. He designed, nurtured and maintained our web and UTube sites. His expertise and dedication to SABS is directly responsible for us surviving the “covid days” and continuing to grow. SABS has a long history dating back to the early 1960’s. Robert has protected that heritage and made it possible to share it within this new “techy world “. Recently the Sencer family has moved to Texas. Robert will continue to be our “Tech Emeritus” as we move forward but is stepping aside with monthly social media maintenance. We will never be able to thank him enough for all he has done for SABS.
  He will always be an honorary member…
  Thanks Robert !!!

Thank You
To our August Raffle Table Donors

Steve & Judy Anthony, Jim & Helen Barrett, Jerry Banuelos, Jason Chan, Sue Cook, Y.S. Farn, Mike Kelly, Peter Macasieb,
Dave Miles, Jim Pelling, Vic Shelton, Wendy Tsai, Frank Yee

And to all who so generously purchase tickets

Welcome New Members

Jason & Renee Chan
Michael & Audree Sellarole
Nancy Smeets

August 2022 Meeting Highlights

The August meeting was held at Longo Toyota, our current fallback location whenever the Arboretum is unavailable. Jason Chan was our demonstrator and brought a very nice prostrata juniper to work on. He started by asking for audience input on the best front for the tree design. Jason talked about trunk movement and its importance in determining the best frontal presentation.

He explained the importance of branch structure and maintain proportion as you work up the tree. The lower branches should always be the thickest, with size progressing as you work up the tree; as in nature.
Jason advised not to be too quick cutting off branches that are not part of the design but could be used later for jin. He styled the tree, working from the bottom up and alternating side, back, and front branches for symmetry. In his design, Jason created a visually appealing jin cluster near the tree apex.

When finished, Jason provided a beautiful juniper tree for our raffle. Thank you, Jason, for your wonderful work. Your narrative kept the demo very interesting for all of us.

Upcoming Events

Oct 1-2 Chino Bonsai Club 2nd Annual Bonsai Exhibit 261 S Junipero Sierra Dr. San Gabriel, CA
9-5pm daily- demos, raffle, auction, vendor & club Sales
Sat 5:30-Dinner reception

Oct 5-9 Kofu Kai Bonsai Exhibit at The Bowers Museum, 2002 N Main St, Santa Ana 10am-4pm daily

Oct 8-9 2022 GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous, Hotel de Oro, Santa Nella, CA.
Check the GSBF website for details

Nov 12-13 Pacific Bonsai Expo, The Bridge Yard Event Center, Oakland, CA, Large show with cash prizes and trophies for best in show, conifers, deciduous, broad-leaf evergreen, shohin

Come Join Us

Next Meeting:
Date: September 10, 2022
Time: 6 pm

Location:
At the home of David & June Nguy
Chino, CA

Refreshment Schedule
Drinks: bring your own
: water by SABS
Sept 10 — Appetizers, Snacks & Desserts
Snacks: Peter Macasieb, Steve Riley, Vic Shelton
Appetizers: Marren Padrones

If you have a favorite, please bring it our members always enjoy munching while learning

2022 Monthly Meeting Dates

Sept 10 – David & June Nguy
Location: Chino, CA

Oct 8 – no meeting due to GSBF event

Nov 12 – TBA

Santa Anita Bonsai Society

Meeting Time and Place Aug 13, 2022 at 7pm
Longo Toyota Meeting Room
3534 Peck Road, El Monte, CA 91731

6pm Board Meeting prior to the General meeting
all members are welcome to attend

Bonsai Notebook

Jason Chan will be our guest demonstrator. He has been with us before, and we look forward to another great presentation. His experience with bonsai spans 18 years. He is a past member of the GSBF board and a past editor of Golden Statements magazine.

Jason and his wife, Renee founded Eastern Leaf in 2004 for bonsai enthusiasts of all levels. They are located in Chino and offer bonsai trees, tools and supplies. Jason supports the local bonsai community with workshops at his nursery and by presenting demonstrations regularly throughout Southern California. See his website at www.easternleaf.com.

President’s Corner

We will be unable to meet at the Arboretum from September 2022 to June 2023 due to construction on the entrance area, including the classrooms. The Arboretum may provide use of Ayres Hall for evening meetings, but no decision has been made. As a result of the construction, it will not be possible to have our Memorial Day Weekend Show at the Arboretum in 2023. We will try to have the Show at the conclusion of the construction or at an alternate site.

Longo Toyota is available to us for meetings at no cost, but we will be looking for alternate sites. If anyone knows of a venue close to the Arboretum, please let me know. We want to keep our meetings convenient for those use to traveling to the Arboretum.

Our club has been in existence since 1961, and I will do everything I can to ensure we continue our regular meetings. We all love the art of bonsai, and our club tradition will endure whatever ups and downs that come along…

Anytime you have any questions please contact Dave & Lorraine at LMiles@sabonsai.org ~Dave

Members Corner

Welcome New Members:
Rocio & Mark Brenes
Edward, Albert & Alberto Rangel

• Many changes are happening for SABS. Our locations are going to be creative for the next year. Meeting location and demonstration updates will be posted on our website at www.sabonsai.org

• It is time to refill many of our board positions. Post covid, there are multiple vacancies and we could truly use your help and ideas. We are an entirely volunteer board and try to divide up responsibilities and keep the new ideas flowing.

• If you are interested in helping please contact Dave & Lorraine at lmiles@sabonsai.org, call Dave at 909 519 5391 and/ or attend to our Aug 13 Board Meeting to find out more about the following positions:

– Vice President: assist with finding meeting locations

– Secretary: record minutes at board mtgs

– Hospitality Chairperson and committee of 2-3: manage our monthly meeting refreshment table

– Members at large: varying assignments including badges, raffle table assistant, photographer and more

• For those of you still receiving the US mail version of this newsletter, better quality photos, club updates and resources are always available on our website.

• Check us out at www.sabonsai.org

Directions to Longo Toyota meeting:
Peck Rd. exit off the I.S.10 fwy just west of the 605 fwy.
The meeting room is downstairs just inside the doorway below the round Auto Club sign on the Longo building.
There is a ramp available if necessary to bypass the stairs.

Thank You To our July Raffle Table Donors

Steve & Judy Anthony, Jim & Helen Barrett, Jerry Banuelo, Sue Cook, Y.S. Farn, Gabriel Gonzalez, Peter Macasieb, Dave Miles, Richard Ryerson, Vic Shelton, Wendy Tsai, Frank Yee

And to all who so generously purchase tickets

July 2022 Meeting Highlights

Our annual road trip to see Peter Macasieb and his collection was a big success. It appeared to be the largest turnout for a meeting this year. We all enjoyed the opportunity to see Peter’s wonderful collection and marvel at his talents for designing bonsai. Thanks to Peter and Marissa for having us at their home and providing ample space for all of us.

Peter started by talking about the development of bonsai trees. He took several of his trees off their benches nearby and told us how each was started and brought to the level of a show tree.

Peter’s demonstration tree was an Itoigawa Shimpaku. He explained his vision for the tree’s design and went to work. He talked about each branch and where it fit in the design and wired every branch into position.

During the break, everyone had a chance to see Peter’s work up close. The completed tree was a beautiful example of his artistry.

Anthony Aguirre was the lucky raffle winner of the tree, and we hope to see it again at a future show.

We had an abundant array of bonsai items on our raffle table, and the ticket sales were a great benefit to the club’s operation. Thanks to all who participated.

Upcoming Events

Aug 20-21
John Naka Memorial Bonsai Exhibit (formerly Nanpu Kai)
George J. Doizaki Gallery, 244 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, 10a-5p

Oct 1-2
Chino Bonsai Club 2nd Annual Bonsai Exhibit
261 S Junipero Sierra Dr. San Gabriel, CA
9-5pm daily- demos, raffle, auction, vendor & club Sales
Sat 5:30-Dinner reception

Oct 8-9
2022 GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous
Hotel de Oro, Santa Nella, CA.
Check the GSBF website for details

Come Join Us- visitors always welcomed

Next Meeting:
Date: August 13, 2022
Time: 7 pm

Location:
Longo Toyota Meeting Room
3534 Peck Rd.
El Monte, CA 91731

2022 Upcoming Monthly Meeting Dates

Aug 13– Jason Chan
Location: Longo Toyota, El Monte

Sept 10– David & June Nguy
Location: Chino, CA

Oct 8– TBA

Refreshment Schedule

Drinks: bring your own

Aug 13 — Wendy Tsai, Judy Anthony, Manuel Dizon

Sept 10 — Appetizers, Snacks & Desserts
Snacks: Peter Macasieb, Steve Riley, Vic Shelton

Bonsai Notebook

Meeting Time and Place: July 9, 2022 at 6pm
At the Home of Peter & Marissa Macasieb
West Covina, CA

Join us July 9 for what has become an annual tradition. We will take a road trip from the Arboretum to the home of Peter and Marissa Macasieb for our meeting.

Peter will entertain us with a demonstration followed by raffle opportunities from a full table of member donated bonsai items.

The Macasiebs have graciously hosted one of our summer dates for many years, and the club looks forward to this great outdoor experience.

We will start the July meeting at 6:00pm, an hour early, to make good use of the daylight hours. Once again, we will have the opportunity to walk around Peter’s garden and admire his large and diverse bonsai collection and socialize with each other amid the beautiful trees. It will be a fun summer evening.

President’s Corner

Our summer has begun to heat up. The hot days and cool nights bring about tip growth and long internodes in our trees. Junipers are pushing hard and need cutting back to keep them from becoming overgrown bushes. If our trees get too dense, the lack of sunlight on the inside of branches can cause dieback and leave end foliage only, not a good look. Our tree designs depend on foliage close to the trunk to maintain a natural perspective. Cutting back tip growth will encourage shorter internodes and help secondary branching.

Most repotting is stopped before summer months, but some trees can still be transplanted. You can repot ficus material, pomegranates, cotoneasters, wisterias, and pyracantha.

Watch your tree soil, and don’t let it dry out completely in the summer heat and wind. You may have to water more than once a day, especially with shohin and shallow potted trees. It can be a delicate balancing act, but we learn from experience. Enjoy the summer and watch your trees thrive.

As a final point this month, I want to emphasize the importance of our monthly raffles. Besides our show sales table, the raffles are our primary source of funds to cover the costs of meetings and demonstrations. I am very proud of the raffle participation we have with our club members. It helps the club a great deal. Remember that just about anything bonsai related is welcome as a raffle item. I appreciate everyone who has regularly contributed to the raffle and especially those who buy raffle tickets. It all works to keep our tradition alive. ~Dave

Members Corner

• Welcome New Members: Anita & Emmett Downs

• Our summer meetings for July, August, and September at the Arboretum are preempted by summer concerts. We will have alternative meeting places for those months and post locations in the monthly newsletter and on the website .

• We are still in search of a hospitality chairperson and committee of 2-3 who would be interested in helping to manage our monthly meeting refreshment table. Please contact Lorraine if interested in volunteering and/or learning more.

• For those of you still receiving the US mail version of this newsletter, better quality photos, club updates and resources are always available on our website. Check us out at www.sabonsai.org

• Coming soon: the 2022 SABS Memorial Weekend Gallery of photos.

• Anytime you have any questions please contact Dave & Lorraine at LMiles6455@gmail.com

Directions to Peter’s

Many of you have already had the opportunity to visit Peter’s Garden and know the way to his home. For the purpose of privacy we are not including directions in this post. If you are a “first timer” and need directions please email Lorraine at LMiles6455@gmail.com Directions and street address will be emailed back to you

Thank You To our June Raffle Table Donors

Jim & Helen Barrett, Jerry Banuelos, Mike Kelly, Dave Miles,

Godwin Milner, Jim Pelling, Jason Saito, Vic Shelton

And to all who so generously purchase tickets

June 2022 Meeting Highlights

We received an interesting lesson in the development of saikei, landscape planting, from Jason Saito in June. We have had several artists demonstrate the styling of saikei for us over the years. Each one featured the individual style and interpretation of the artist, and Jason added a great deal to our understanding of the art.

• 

• 

• 

Jason talked about the history of saikei, including the natural styling from bonsai influences and the “not always natural” from Penjing Influences. Jason said he tended to prefer the penjing style.

For his demonstration, Jason used a large rock as the focal point of his saikei and planted bert-davyi ficus material on the rock and at the rock base. He used tufa rock because of its light weight. He started with a shallow bonsai pot and positioned a tall tufa rock just off center. Using mortar and cyanoacrylate, he glued a smaller rock next to the base for stability. To complete the rock formation, he glued a small rock as a ledge part way up the face of the main rock. Jason planted the ficus trees so that the upper tree created depth in the scene with the larger tree at the rock base. He added moss and other smaller plants to accent the trees which, together, resulted in a beautiful landscape display.

David Melitz was the lucky raffle winner of Jason’s saikei.

Upcoming Events

July 2, 2022 Harley Newman’s Bonsai Sale, 1068 El Camino Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
9-10a viewing time. Sale 10-2p

Oct 8-9, 2022 GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous, Hotel de Oro, Santa Nella, CA.
Check the GSBF website for details

Come Join Us

Next Meeting:
Date: July 9, 2022
Time: 6 pm

Location:
At the home of Peter & Marissa Macasieb, West Covina, Ca.

2022 Monthly Meeting Dates
July 9 — Peter Macasieb Location: West Covina
Aug 13 — Jason Chan Location: Longo Toyota, El Monte
Sept 10 — David & June Nguy Location: Chino, CA

Refreshment Schedule
July 9
Snacks & Appetizers
Judy Anthony, Anthony Aquirre, David & Debra Melitz, YS Farn
Desserts
Jackie Zinder, Peter Macasieb, Wendy Tsai

Aug 13 — Wendy Tsai, Judy Anthony, Manuel Dizon

Bonsai Notebook

Meeting Time and Place: June 11, 2022 at 7pm
LAC Arboretum, Palm Room

The June 11 meeting will be at the Arboretum Our guest demonstrator will be Jason Saito, and he will be talking about the history and art of saikei while he demonstrates the creation of a new saikei for us.

Jason has been involved in bonsai for about 10 years now and is primarily focused on saikei, landscape plantings. From an early age, he has had a passion for miniatures including Kokeshi, building small-scale model dioramas, miniatures, and dollhouses. When he began studying bonsai, it led to him creating miniature landscape plantings.

Jason has studied with Frank Goya, Al Nelson, Mel Ikeda, and John Wang.

Come to the meeting ready to learn about and enjoy saikei, and perhaps take one home with you.

President’s Corner

Our Memorial Day Weekend show was a big success. I received many comments about the high quality of our trees, and I know the Arboretum attendees were, as usual, fascinated by what they saw. I am very grateful to our members for sharing their trees, many for the first time.

I also appreciate all the help from members setting up and taking down the show, as well as watching the trees and answering questions throughout the weekend. I hope you all enjoyed the experience.

Thanks to Peter for his very popular demonstration on Saturday. Also thank you to all of our members who worked on trees at our informal members workshop tables and moved around Ayres Hall as docents.The #1 comment was how friendly and knowledgeable everyone seemed to be. Our members are awesome! You sparked new interest in the Art of Bonsai and SABS.

All of you who attended the show saw Wendy & Lorraine working at the sales table throughout the weekend. They were there everyday and did an outstanding job managing all the sales and keeping the room organized.

The sale table was very full, and the sales were a tremendous benefit to the club. Almost all of bonsai items found new homes. Special thanks go out to Doyle Saito, Tom Vuong, Ray Blasingame, Marren Padrones, and Lindsay Shiba for their generous donations to SABS and to the sale table. Membership, the club percentage for sales and donations are what keeps us operational. We have a long history of donating in the bonsai world, and it is what sustains all of our clubs.

The donated cookies, donuts, goodies from 85c and waters were also very much appreciated.

On behalf of the club, I thank you all.

~Dave

Members Corner

– Our monthly meeting raffle table has been fabulous– thanks to all of the members who have generously donated to the table. Please help keep up our club tradition and bring an item(s) to support SABS and buy some raffle tickets. Everyone enjoys going home with trees, plants, pots, tools, supplies, books and even an occasional bag of “bonsai dirt”.

– Our May meeting & Memorial Weekend Show brought us many new members and a renewed interest in our bonsai emailing list.
Welcome all to our SABS Club and website (www.sabonsai.org)
New Members:
Ellen Keneshea
Carol Upston
Becky Villansenor & Katherine Ng
Guillermo Padrones
Anthony Aguirre
Radford & Martha Hunt
Lawrence Ponce
Bruce Tsurutani
Cam La

– We are in search of a hospitality chairperson and committee of 2-3 who would be interested in helping to manage our monthly meeting refreshment table. Please contact Lorraine if interested in volunteering and/or learning more.

– For those of you still receiving the US mail version of this newsletter, better quality photos, club updates and resources are always available on our website. Check us out at www.sabonsai.org http://www.sabonsai.org

– Anytime you have any questions please contact Dave & Lorraine at LMiles6455@gmail.com

Thank You To our May Raffle Table Donors

Bob Alderette, Jim & Helen Barrett, Jerry Banuelos, Sue Cook, Daniel Deephouse, YS Farn, Ellen Keneshea, Dave Miles, Peter Macasieb, Jim Pelling, Jack Reynolds, Steve Riley

And to all who so generously purchase tickets

Upcoming Events

July 2-3 2022 Vietnamese Bonsai Society 22nd Annual Show, Vietnamese American Temple,12292 Magnolia St., Garden Grove, 9a-5p, demonstrations 1p daily, bonsai sales and auction

Oct 8-9 2022 GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous, Santa Nella, CA

May 2022 Meeting Highlights

Jack Reynolds was our guest at the May meeting, and he gave us an excellent presentation on bunjin ficus. He talked about bonsai as a living art form: we are sculpting trees. The literati, or bunjin, style epitomizes the artfulness of bonsai styling. It doesn’t follow the traditional rules of bonsai, but generally represents a combination of predominately tree trunk space with limited foliage. Using ficus for bunjin styling is not often seen, so it was interesting to watch Jack and learn how to train ficus into bunjin.

Jack said he starts his bunjin as cuttings so he can control the length and taper of the trunk. As the cutting grows, he trims off all the foliage except one or two branches and lets the tree grow to the desired height. Then he focuses on developing pads of foliage, keeping it to a minimum.

Jack was asked about his soil mix for ficus. He said he mixes two parts of pumice, two parts of lava rock (scoria), and one part either orchid bark or fir bark.

He worked on four bunjin styles during his demonstration, and all were donated to the raffle.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Steve Riley was the winner of two of the trees, and the other two went to Daniel Deephouse and Y.S. Farn. We had an enjoyable evening learning about new material for styling bunjin.

Coming soon to our website www.sabonsai.org…. Check out the Gallery for photos of the display trees and stones at the 2022 Santa Anita Bonsai Society Memorial Weekend Show… Thanks again to all who participated and helped make the weekend a huge success.

Come Join Us

Next Meeting:
Date: June 11, 2022
Time: 7 pm

Location:

LAC Arboretum, Palm Room
301 N. Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007

2022 Monthly Meeting Dates

June 11— Jason Saito LAC Arboretum
July 9 — Peter Macasieb at his home in West Covina
Aug 13 — Jason Chan Location TBA

Refreshment Schedule
June 11— Peter Macasieb, Jackie Zinder, Steve Riley, Daniel Deephouse

July 9— Dessert Potluck at Macasieb’s
please bring appetizers & desserts to share with all

Aug 13— Wendy Tsai, Judy Anthony, Manuel Dizon

2022 Refreshment Sign Ups will be available at the June meeting