Newsletter – September 2016

2016-09-Img01Bonsai Notebook

Once again our September meeting will be held away from the Arboretum and hosted by Steve and Judy Anthony at their home in Covina.  Each year it seems our off-sight meetings have grown in both attendance and enjoyment.  The event will be a potluck, so bring a favorite dish or dessert.  The club will supply beverages.

Last year Dick Ryerson brought his potter’s wheel and showed us how he makes bonsai pots.  Dick has offered to demonstrate a variation on the use of his potter’s wheel by making an oval pot.  Several years ago Dick worked with his father-in-law to see if they could create a way to use the wheel to make ovals.  At our meeting Dick will show us how he distorts a round pot into an oval.  Dick’s creativity along with the social atmosphere will make for a fun evening. Don’t miss it.

2016-09-Img01Meeting Time And Place:
Sept 10, 2016 at 6pm
at Home of Steve & Judy Anthony

President’s Corner

I talked briefly at the August meeting about the upcoming election of officers for the club.  Per our by-laws, our officers can serve up to two consecutive terms of two years for a total of four years.  Our officers are at the ends of their terms, and I am hoping some members will volunteer to participate as officers and board members.  As Ray said at the meeting, the work involved is not difficult.  Board meetings are held before the regular meeting “as needed” to approve club business and plan upcoming events.  For the term beginning in January 2017 we need to fill the president’s position, the vice president/program chair, and secretary.  If you are interested in participating, please give me a call at the number listed in the newsletter.

~Dave

August Highlights

We learned a lot about ficus trees, specifically the narrow-leaf variety from, Ken Fuentes in August.  He brought several trees to show different stages of development.

Ken likes to use a sacrificial branch on his material to fatten trunk size quicker. He explained the importance of keeping the sacrificial branch cut back so it doesn’t overpower growth in the main trunk.

Ken uses E.B. Stone cactus mix for his trees because it supplies consistently good drainage.  He recommended planting ficus in a shallow pot so roots grow outward and thicken rather than growing downward in a deeper container.  Ken prefers directional pruning instead of wire to shape his trees.  Ficus trees tend to grow quickly, and wire will cut into the branches in a very short time.

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Ken described a technique he uses to minimize scarring after branch cutting. Instead of leaving the round cut scar when a branch is cut off, Ken elongates the round scar up and down in a diamond or oval shape.  Then he cuts deeply into the hardwood in the center of the scar.  He said this elongated scar heals vertically and closes more completely than a round scar.

Thanks to Ken for an informative demonstration.

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He donated one of his ficus trees to the raffle, and Y.S. Farn had the lucky raffle ticket.

Members Corner

This space is meant for any bonsai related stories or information a member would like to share.  Make your submissions to Dave & Lorraine Miles at [email protected].

Club history continued:
In 1968 The Santa Anita show was part of the Spring Flower Art Festival at the Arboretum.  Also in 1968 to fill in the summer break from meetings, a trip was planned to visit the homes of Melba Tucker, Thelma Denslow, and Jim Barrett to see their collections.  Interest in bonsai had reached the stage where the winners in each of the show categories were reported in the newspaper.
More next month…

Newsletter Update

  • 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 2015 then your membership is current until Dec 2016.
  • The SABS newsletter is one of the “perks” of  belonging to our club.  When your membership is not  renewed by the end of March  the membership lapses  and you will no longer  be illegible 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

September 17-18 – Viet Bonsai Today Society Bonsai Show
Bao Quang Temple, 713 N. Newhope St., Santa Ana
from 9:00am – 5:00pm
(Facebook page)

Sept. 28 – Oct. 2Kofu Bonsai Kai annual exhibit
at Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA, 714-567-3600

Oct. 27-3039th Golden State Bonsai Federation Convention
at Double Tree by Hilton, 2001 Point West Way, Sacramento
details – www.gsbfconvention.org

 

Come Join Us

August Meeting
Date: Sept 10, 2016
Time: 6:00 PM
Location:  At the Home of Steve & Judy Anthony
(Access to directions will be sent separately.)

No Board Meeting this month

2016 Monthly Meeting Dates

Sept 10  — At the home of  Steve & Judy Anthony
Oct 8 — Peter Macasieb
Nov  12 — TBA

2016 Refreshment Schedule

Sept — Bring a favorite dish or dessert to the Anthony’s home
Oct  — M Dawid,  G Gonzalez,  P Macasieb, R Pachorek