Bonsai Notebook

We have another great evening of bonsai planned for April. Our guest will be Ted Matson, so it will be an opportunity to learn the critical details of bonsai development. Ted has the wonderful ability to communicate his knowledge very clearly throughout his demonstrations. It is always a pleasure to watch and listen.

Ted began studying bonsai in San Francisco in 1979. He moved to the Los Angeles area in 1980, and over time, studied with Ben Suzuki, Shig and Roy Nagatoshi, Melba Tucker, Warren Hill, and John Naka. Ted started teaching bonsai classes at his home in the late 1980’s. In 2008 he began working at bonsai full time.

Ted is a member of Descanso Bonsai Society, California Shohin Society, California Bonsai Society, and Nampu Kai. He oversees both the GSBF and Huntington bonsai collections, including more than 400 trees. There are approximately 70 trees on display at a time. He has chaired both the GSBF Convention and the California Shohin Society Seminars and has done workshops and demonstrations across the U.S.

Ted’s demonstration material will be Mexican Guava. The demo tree will be in our raffle. He is bringing additional examples of the same material that can be purchased for a great price by anyone interested. Join us for a fun evening.

Meeting Time And Place:
April 13, 2019 at 7pm
LAC Arboretum/ Palm Room

President’s Corner

Our Southern California weather is back and everything is growing and blooming. Now is when we need to watch our trees closely and not let them get “leggy”. It is important to nip or pinch terminal buds on each branch. This will force side branches to grow and create a more dense foliage mass while also shortening the internodes.

As branches grow, watch the underside for downward growth and the topside for unwanted upward growth. Keep an eye on excessive growth in the upper portion of your trees that will draw energy away from lower branches.

We are still in repotting season also. Repotting helps stimulate new growth, and our trees love new soil and a little extra space to grow. If you are changing pots, prepare the new pot with screens over the drain holes and tie-down wire to hold the tree in place prior to removing the tree from its current pot. If you are using the same pot again, keep the tree roots moist while cleaning and prepping the pot for reuse. I enjoy the sight of a newly repotted tree. You can almost see the refreshed tree generating new roots and shoots.

We love seeing our trees thrive during the spring, but the fast growth requires our attention to maintain even growth from top to bottom. Enjoy the season, but be observant and diligent.

~Dave

March 2019 Meeting Highlights

We had plenty of member trees available for our workshop with Lindsay Shiba. He was able to spend quality time with each member while doing a wide variety of work. A couple of trees received their first styling as bonsai with the member’s participation. Lindsay provided pruning and styling advice for all the trees, and tree owners worked with him to improve their material.

Lindsay talked about each tree, so all our members were able to learn from his vision. Multiple varieties of trees were involved, so advice and techniques differed from tree to tree. We got a very well-rounded presentation, and participating members went home with revitalized trees.

Workshops are a good opportunity for developing the quality of our trees, and Lindsay’s help and advice was greatly appreciated.

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Members Corner

SABS membership is growing … Thank You!

Membership in SABS is available anytime of the year . If you first join SABS during Oct-Dec then your membership is current until Dec of the following year. For renewing members the dues are requested each January. Our membership dues are vital to SABS remaining financially viable. It has been exciting to see how SABS’s membership has grown during the past year. Thanks for your participation and support.

The SABS Newsletter is one of the “perks” of belonging to our club and is sent via email or US mail to all of our current members The newsletter will always be available on our website www.sabonsai.org

Visitors always welcome at our meetings….come check out SABS anytime

Upcoming Events

April 27-28 San Diego Bonsai Club 54th Annual Spring Show Casa del Prado Rm 101, Balboa Park

May 4-5 Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai 34th Annual Exhibit and Sale
Demos both days at 1pm, dinner reception Sat. at 6pm

May 25,26, 27 Santa Anita Bonsai Society Annual Memorial Day Weekend Show
L.A. County Arboretum, 9a-4p, vendors, sales area, demos each day at 1pm

Come Join Us

Next Meeting

Date: April 13, 2019
Time: 7pm
Location:
LAC Arboretum, Palm Room
301 N. Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007

Board Meeting 6PM before general meeting
Everyone welcome – we’re planning our show

2019 Monthly Meeting Dates

April 13 – Ted Matson
May 11 – Al Nelson Workshop
June 8 – Steve Valentine

Refreshment Schedule

April 13 – Y.S. Farn, Lorraine Miles, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Liz Do
May 11 – David & Debra Mauzy-Melitz, Dick Ryerson, Mike Kelly, Victor Shelton
June 8 –David & Jenny Tsai, Daniel Deephouse

More sign up opportunities will be available at upcoming meetings

Bonsai Notebook

Bring a tree to the March meeting and take advantage of a free workshop with Lindsay Shiba. You are welcome to bring more than one tree. Lindsay will help you take your material to the next level of design and development. We don’t have workshops often, so don’t miss a great opportunity to learn. Bring your tools and wire and take part in the fun.

Lindsay started his bonsai training when he was just 11 years old. He learned from his father, Katsumi Shiba, and in 1972 he became a student of Khan Komai. Under Khan’s tutelage, Lindsay refined his talent for bonsai and also developed a love and understanding of the formal display of bonsai. Lindsay has given presentations of formal display across the United States and Mexico.

He worked at and later co-owned his family’s nursery business in Upland, where he also taught bonsai classes. Lindsay is an active member of Baikoen Bonsai Kenkyu-Kai, California Bonsai Society and Nanpu Kai.

You do not have to bring a tree to watch and learn from Lindsay at the meeting. However, why pass up the chance to have him help with your own tree. See you there.

Meeting Time And Place:
March 9, 2019 at 7pm
LAC Arboretum/ Palm Room

President’s Corner

We have had a very different winter season this year, with the heavy rain and cold temperatures. Some of our trees have remained dormant longer, and some have been caught in-between, popping new foliage.

We are at repotting time. It is important to keep track of when you have repotted individual trees to make it easier to pick out the trees that are due.

I date an identification tag I make out of thin metal venetian blind material. I cut three inch pieces of metal and use a pencil to mark the potting date and stick the tag in each of my pots. The pencil marking goes on easy and doesn’t wash off with watering. I find the metal tags hold up better than plastic. I check my tags and make a repotting list based on dates along with visual inspection of tree health and drainage conditions (slow draining calls for repotting).

Repotting is great for stimulating new root growth and generating vitality in our trees. I turn on some music and enjoy the time spent transitioning each tree. It is very relaxing and productive at the same time. So, get out the potting tools and material and refresh your trees.

I hope you were all able to attend the Bonsai-A-Thon, a bonsai enthusiast paradise with the vendors, exhibits, demonstrations, raffles and auctions. Once again, club member Kathy Boehme donated her hand-made bonsai pots, a total of 129, to the raffle. People were buzzing around the raffle tables admiring her pots and buying tickets to hopefully obtain one or more. All by themselves, Kathy’s pottery generates ticket sales that are a tremendous boost to the income that goes to support GSBF and The Huntington. Kathy is a tremendous asset to the Bonsai-A-Thon and our club. Thank you, Kathy.

~Dave

February 2019 Meeting Highlights

It was a very busy and exciting month for bonsai. Members were treated to a wonderful saikei demonstration by Frank Goya at the February meeting. We had the pleasure of attending the famous, annual Baikoen Silhouettes Show, and just ended the month with the Bonsai-A-Thon.

Frank Goya used three-year old procumbens nana junipers to construct his saikei. As usual, Frank had wired and styled the trees before coming to the meeting. He visualizes the rock and tree placement ahead of time, so his demonstration flows smoothly as he assembles the landscape. He used an odd number of rocks in his design and explained that the larger outside rocks are faced inward from both sides of the pot. He said the trees need to be placed so they flow in the same direction as the rocks. The flow of rocks and trees was toward the middle of the design where Frank placed his water effect (an integral part of most saikeis). He filled in the planting with moss and small accent plants to complete the saikei design. Frank makes it look simple, but his work is very deliberate and precise. His artistry was a pleasure to watch, and everyone wanted to take the saikei home. Jim Pelling was the lucky raffle winner, and his wife Judith was thrilled to have a Frank Goya saikei.

Thank You to our February Meeting Raffle Donors

Judy Anthony, Jerry Banuelos, Y.S. Farn, Edgar Fukutaki Family, Peter Macasieb

New Members

Daniel Deephouse

Welcome Back David, Jenny & Julian Tsai

Members Corner

This is just a gentle reminder that it’s now time to renew your 2019 membership for SABS. Our membership dues are vital to SABS remaining financially viable. The dues for each year are due in January. Past members who have not yet renewed are encouraged to do so at this time. If you joined SABS during Oct-Dec 2018 then your membership is current until Dec 2019. It has been exciting to see how SABS’s membership has grown during the past year. Thanks for your participation and support.

The SABS Newsletter is one of the “perks” of belonging to our club. When your membership is not renewed annually by the end of March 2019 the membership lapses and you are no longer eligible to receive this newsletter directly via email and/or US Mail. The newsletter will always be available on our website www.sabonsai.org

Upcoming Events

March 23-34
California Bonsai Society’s 62nd Bonsai Exhibition
9a-5pm daily
Huntington Library Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino

April 27-28
San Diego Bonsai Club 54th Annual Spring Show
Casa del Prado Rm 101, Balboa Park

Come Join Us

Next Meeting
Date: March 9, 2019
Time: 7pm
Location:
LAC Arboretum, Palm Room
301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007

2019 Monthly Meeting Dates

Mar 9 – Lindsay Shiba
April 13 – Ted Matson
May 11 – Al Nelson Workshop

Refreshment Schedule

Mar 9: Susan & Huong Dao, Judy Anthony, Frank Yee, Walt & Octavia Chin
April 13: Y.S. Farn, Judy Anthony, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Liz Do
May 11: David & Debra Mauzy-Melitz, Dick Ryerson

More sign up opportunities will be available at upcoming meetings

Bonsai Notebook

Frank Goya will be with us at the February 9 meeting to demonstrate the development of a three-tree saikei. Franks says he is cutting back on doing demos, so this will probably be the last time we will have him showing us his talent with saikei plantings. That makes it a “must see” event. His saikeis are prized by all who are fortunate enough to own one.

Frank has been involved in bonsai for over 50 years. He has a large collection of bonsai trees, but has become known as the “Dean of saikei”. One of his saikeis is on display at the National Arboretum in Washington D.C.

Frank was born in California, but during World War II he was sent to an internment camp, after which he served in the U.S. Army. After the war, he worked as a professional gardener. During this time he was introduced to the art of bonsai, which later led him to saikei.

Come to the February meeting and marvel at how Frank’s design comes to life. A lucky club member will take home the new saikei.

Meeting Time And Place:
Feb 9, 2019 at 7pm
LAC Arboretum/ Palm Room

President’s Corner

At the January meeting, we renewed the service of our existing club Executive Board for another term. They include President Dave Miles, Program Chairman Gabriel Gonzalez, Treasurers Steve and Judy Anthony, Secretary Marge Blasingame, Webmaster Robert Sencer, Newsletter Editor Lorraine Miles, and Raffle Chairman Jim Pelling. Additionally, the following members will serve as Members at Large; Ray Blasingame, Peter Macasieb, Dick Ryerson, and Mike Kelly. Thanks to all of them for their Volunteerism.

I wish to thank Frank Yee for his many years of assistance on our Board, and I know he will continue being active as a club member.

In January we announced, coincidentally, a saikei workshop to be presented by Al Nelson at our May 11 meeting. With Frank Goya’s demo in February you will be teased by the idea of having a saikei and then be able to make your own in May. Al will supply all the necessary materials to make a complete saikei using Kingsville boxwood trees. It will be an opportunity to create your own saikei with the assistance of Al and his helpers.

The workshop will begin at 5:00pm, and non-participating members can come then as observers, or come closer to regular meeting hours and see the progress. We will still have our raffle table and refreshments. The workshop will accommodate up to 10 people and will cost $85.00 each (the cost of materials alone). We already have four participants, Jim Pelling, Mike Kelly, Daniel Deephouse, and Shai Amiel. We need to collect a $40.00 deposit at the Feb. meeting from those wishing to reserve a spot in the workshop. Don’t miss this chance to add a beautiful saikei to your collection.

We took a vote at the Jan. meeting to select our annual show theme. After a few attempts, the members settled on the theme of deciduous trees. The theme is broad enough that, hopefully, most members will have a tree to show this year.

~Dave

Jan 2019 Meeting Highlights

Louis Camerota was our guest presenter in January. Lou is an expert at raising and training Satsuki azalea bonsai. He has broken down the preparation of azaleas into several stages, and he demonstrated one at the meeting with others to follow over the next few years.

Lou brought a Satsuki azalea, Kogetsu variety, for his demonstration and donated it to the raffle. This stage of preparation involved pulling leaves off the inside of branches while keeping at least three leaves on the branch ends to draw energy. Pulling leaves allows for sunlight and air to circulate into the middle of the tree, and also serves to rid the tree of insects that hide on the leaves. Lou said the best time for leaf removal is November to December, but this January operation was acceptable from a timing standpoint. New shoots will pop where branches have been opened up.

Lou starts feeding his azaleas in October and stops when the weather hears up. He uses a 5-5-5 organic fertilizer and also uses water treated through a reverse osmosis system. He prefers using Kanuma soil. Lou keeps his azaleas in direct sun, but moves them into shade when temperatures hit 85 degrees.

He wires branches for styling and recommended doing branch bending in the winter before sap starts to flow. Lou said it was best to have the soil dry when bending so branches are more flexible. Branch bending, with or without wire, creates small fissures in the bark where new shoots will emerge.

When Lou cuts a branch on azaleas, he uses a plastic squeeze bottle with a small nozzle (ketchup bottle) to squeeze a wound sealant on the cut to protect it. He recommended no cutting after July 15 in order to insure flower growth. Lou said cold temperatures will cause leaves to exhibit coloring that mimics the color of the flowers the plant will produce.

Lou participated in our raffle and was lucky enough to win back his azalea. He really loved the tree.

Members Corner

This is just a gentle reminder that it’s now time to renew your 2019 membership for SABS. Our membership dues are vital to SABS remaining financially viable. The dues for each year are due in January. Past members who have not yet renewed are encouraged to do so at this time. If you joined SABS during Oct-Dec 2018 then your membership is current until Dec 2019. It has been exciting to see how SABS’s membership has grown during the past year. Thanks for your participation and support.

The SABS Newsletter is one of the “perks” of belonging to our club. When your membership is not renewed annually by the end of March 2019 the membership lapses and you are no longer eligible to receive this newsletter directly via email and/or US Mail. The newsletter will always be available on our website www.sabonsai.org

Thank You to everyone who donated to the awesome raffle table for our Jan Potluck Meeting.

New Member

Shai Amiel

Upcoming Events

February 23-24
Bonsai-A-Thon
7:30am – 5pm, vendors, demonstrations, exhibit, raffle, auction
Huntington Library Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino

March 23-34
California Bonsai Society’s 62nd Bonsai Exhibition
9a-5pm daily
Huntington Library Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino

Come Join Us

Next Meeting
Date: February 9, 2019
Time: 7pm
Location:
LAC Arboretum, Palm Room
301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007

2019 Monthly Meeting Dates

Feb 9 – Frank Goya

Mar 9 – Lindsay Shiba

April 13 – TBA

May 11 – Al Nelson Workshop

Refreshment Schedule

Feb 9 – SABS Board Members

2019 Refreshment Sign ups will be available at the Feb meeting for future refreshment volunteers

Bonsai Notebook

Santa Anita Bonsai Society
Holiday Potluck, Demo and Raffle
January 12, 2019

For Food: Club will provide main dish and drinks. Bring your favorite side, salad or dessert to share

The Raffle: Bring an item for the table

Our January 12 meeting will be a little different from our past holiday meetings. We will have our annual holiday potluck dinner and feature a guest speaker at the same time. Louis Camerota, a long-time club member, will do a presentation on azaleas. Lou’s beautiful azaleas have been awarded “best of show” in our club shows, so we know he is knowledgeable about their care.

Lou was raised as a 3rd generation landscaper. He started working with bonsai in 1990. He originally learned about training Satsuki azaleas from Dwight Goins, a former student of Khan Komai. He also studied with Marty Hagberry. Currently, Lou is in his fourth year of study with David Nguy, and he specializes in Satsuki azaleas.

Join us at 6pm as we start the new year, with a wonderful dinner, presentation, and fully-stocked raffle table.

5:30p Board Meeting Prior to Potluck

Meeting Time And Place:
January 12, 2019 at 6pm
LAC Arboretum/ Palm Room

President’s Corner

Welcome to a new year for enjoying the bonsai art. Our club was the recent recipient of a generous donation of bonsai items from the family of Edgar Fukutaki, a member of the club many years ago. Among others in the club, Edgar was a friend of Bruce and Yaeko Hisayasu. After Edgar and his wife passed, the family contacted me and offered to donate his bonsai pots, tables, and wire. I received over 50 pots, some display stands, and a large quantity of wire.

Special thanks to the Fukutaki family for their thoughtfulness and generosity. Edgar’s bonsai items will be available on our raffle tables throughout the year, and I am sure our members will enjoy making use of them.

The new year brings many bonsai shows with opportunities to both display and admire the bonsai art in our area. We look forward to the annual Baikoen Winter Silhouettes show, the Bonsai-A-Thon, the California Bonsai Society show, and of course, our Memorial Day weekend show. Many other events will be listed in the newsletter as the year progresses. We will have a year filled with great demonstrations and opportunities to socialize with people who enjoy the bonsai art form. ~Dave

November 2018 Meeting Highlights

We ended 2018 with a presentation by Dennis Makishima at the home of Peter and Marissa Macasieb. Dennis brought a trident maple that he used to demonstrate pruning techniques unique to tridents. The tree went to our raffle table at the end of the evening. Dennis explained that pruning branches or roots produces a callus at the cut, and new shoots will develop from the callus site. They can be removed or used to develop proportion in branch size working up the trunk.

He said you can expand the root base of a trident by fusing a rooted cutting at the base of the trunk where you need new roots. By cutting the bark from the cutting and the matching position on the trunk you can tie the cutting to the trunk and have it fuse over time. The fused cutting will blend with the trunk, and new roots will be established for the tree.

Vic Shelton was the winner of Dennis’s tree in the raffle

Thank You to everyone who donated to the November Meeting Raffle Table at Peter’s

New Members

Eunice Jee

Members Corner

This is just a gentle reminder that it’s now time to renew your 2019 membership for SABS. Our membership dues are vital to SABS remaining financially viable. The dues for each year are due in January. Past members who have not yet renewed are encouraged to do so at this time. If you joined SABS during Oct-Dec 2018 then your membership is current until Dec 2019. It has been exciting to see how SABS’s membership has grown during the past year. Thanks for your participation and support.

The SABS Newsletter is one of the “perks” of belonging to our club. When your membership is not renewed annually by the end of March 2019 the membership lapses and you are no longer eligible to receive this newsletter directly via email and/or US Mail. The newsletter will always be available on our website www.sabonsai.org

Upcoming Events

January 19-20
Baikoen Bonsai Kenkyukai 54 Annual Winter Silhouettes Show
LA Arboretum, 10a-4:30pm, Sat. night reception with entertainment, food, raffle and auction

February 23-24
Bonsai-A-Thon
7:30am – 5pm, vendors, demonstrations, exhibit, raffle, auction
Huntington Botanical Garden, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino

Come Join Us

Next Meeting
Date: January 12, 2019
Time: 6pm
Location: LAC Arboretum
Palm Room 301 N. Baldwin Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91007

Board Meeting Jan 12 Prior to Potluck 5:30p

2019 Monthly Meeting Dates

Jan 12 —- Holiday Potluck & Raffle Demo by Louis Camerota
Feb 9 —- Frank Goya
Mar 9 —- Lindsay Shiba

Refreshment Schedule

Jan 2019 — Annual Potluck Dinner, Club will provide main dish and drinks bring a favorite dish: a side, salad or dessert to share

2019 Refreshment Sign ups will be available at this Jan meeting

Bonsai Notebook

Dennis Makishima will be our guest demonstrator at the November meeting. As a reminder, the meeting will begin at 6:00pm at the home of Peter and Marissa Macasieb. It will be a regular meeting with scheduled refreshments and no potluck. Continue reading →

Bonsai Notebook

Our October 13 meeting will feature Ken Fuentes as our demonstrator. Ken will be demonstrating the many techniques that can be used to grow and style ficus salacaria, better known as narrow-leaf ficus. He will be sharing a technique called “bending”, an alternative to wiring. Continue reading →

Bonsai Notebook

We have another great road trip planned for our September 8 meeting. David and June Nguy will be hosting the meeting at their home in Chino at 6:00pm. Members are encouraged to arrive as early as 5:00pm to walk through the gardens. Continue reading →

Bonsai Notebook

The August 11 meeting will be back at the Arboretum, 7:00pm. Jason Chan will be with us for the first time as our demonstrator. Jason and his wife Renee are recent members of our club, so it is great to have one of our own as a presenter. Continue reading →

Bonsai Notebook

Join us July 14 for another great demonstration and potluck dinner meeting at the home of Peter and Marissa Macasieb in West Covina (directions & address link later in newsletter) This event has quickly become a tradition for the club, and last year’s meeting at the Macasieb’s was the best ever. Continue reading →

Bonsai Notebook

The June meeting guest demonstrator will be Al Rivera. This will be Al’s first demo for our club, so we look forward to what he has to share. Al is an active member of San Sui Kai and Descanso Bonsai Society and has been involved in bonsai for about 11 years. Continue reading →