The Bonsai News H of ouston

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1 The Bonsai News H of ouston A Monthly Newsletter of the Houston Bonsai Society Inc. Volume 45 Number 3 March 2016 IN THIS ISSUE Upcoming Events Air Layering with Alan Raymond Showcase of the Month An Ancient Art with a Modern Touch March Bonsai Care John Miller President s Letter Special Bonsai Bonsai that Defies Gravity? Is Is it Magic or is it the incredible floating Air Bonsai? The next meeting of the Houston Bonsai Society will be at the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion in Hermann Park, off of Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX Refreshments at 7 PM, meeting starts at 7:30 PM. Wednesday, March 2 nd, HBS monthly meeting: Air Layering with Alan Raymond. For display, please bring your proudest air layers. Upcoming Events March 5, Saturday Study Group at Maas Nursery in Seabrook, 9AM 12 Noon. Free, refreshments provided. March 12, Juniper 101 led by Ken Credeur at Timeless Trees, Rosenberg, TX 9AM till finish. $80 include a Green Mound juniper, a ceramic pot, soil, wire and hand-outs. March Master Class Workshop: Advanced Techniques with Pedro Morales - 2 full day workshop, 9AM 4PM ($250 per person), repeated by popular request. Focus on Building Kurama pots, deadwood carving, and Phoenix Grafting. Lunch provided. April 2, Shohin Society of Texas - Saikei by Stephen Hendricks April 6, HBS monthly meeting: HBS Annual Auction at Hermann Park. April 9, Saturday Study Group at Timeless Tress, Rosenberg, TX. 9AM 12 Noon. Free, refreshments provided. April 8-9, 17th Annual Southwest Louisiana Garden Conference & Expo 2016 at Burton Coliseum from 9-5. Set-up will be on Thursday, April 7 starting about noon. April 16, Shohin Society of Texas - Saikei workshop. Emphasis on planting Shohinsized landscapes using trees on trays with accompanying rocks. April 21, LCBS April meeting featuring Rodney Clemons and a BYO Tree workshop.

2 An Ancient Art with a Modern Touch March Bonsai Care The jet stream has kept us from having a winter this year. It has pushed all artic air far enough to the east that we have not had enough cold. However no one knows just what it will do in March and April. We could get some unpleasant surprises. You need to keep one of the weather prediction programs in your favorites bar and look a week ahead so you have time to take any necessary precautions. Bonsai usually start growing in late February or March in this area, depending on your wintering techniques and on the species. However this year, many bonsai have already done a lot of growing. After growth starts, some species can take a couple degrees of frost but unless you know what your particular tree can take, you should keep it from freezing. Also, newly growing roots are more tender. In this area, you should keep the new foliage out of strong winds, however they should have some air flow to help harden the new foliage and to help keep insects and fungal diseases at bay. You may continue repotting deciduous species until you see a tiny bit of green on the tips of the swelling leaf bud. Be sure to keep the newly repotted tree out of the wind and late morning or afternoon sun. Broadleaf evergreen species will generally be okay to repot later on. Yaupon do better if you wait until it warms a bit more. Usually we can expect a freeze in March, so you may have to protect trees that have started growth and those that have been repotted this winter. Don t repot tropicals until the night temps stay above 60. There are two different approaches to branch and tree care. The first is the development stage of the tree, when you are growing and developing branches, doing root work and generally developing the style of the tree. During this time you will cut and wire and then let it grow for a good period of time, developing taper and interesting bends and twists. Timing of these functions is not as critical. The other approach comes after the development stage and results in the refinement of the bonsai. This gives it the twiginess, small leaves and a patina of age which takes it from a commercial bonsai to a piece of art. It is quite time consuming especially in the flush growth period after dormancy breaks. If not done carefully, the new growth will thicken the twigs and cause long internodes which will ruin all the previous work and may even send you back to the development stage. Now you should get your tweezers and shears ready for the real job ahead. In order to develop the ramification and fine twigs you want, you must be pruning the new growth as it develops. Waiting until the shoots are three or four inches or longer results in coarse twigs with long internodes. These will have to be cut off and new ones developed. Junipers in development should be trimmed with shears. Styled junipers may be done with the fingers. As the new growth develops, grasp the twigs with one hand spreading the foliage in a fan shape. Then with the other hand, grasp the tips between the fleshy part of your thumb and finger and pull it off. Using fingernails or scissors will result in brown tips on the cut foliage. Don t pinch anything with a strong center thread. As the weather warms up, the insects will surely make their appearance. Use the foliar spray (1 tablespoon each of fish emulsion, liquid kelp, molasses, and apple cider vinegar per gallon of water)

3 weekly to control aphids, mites, caterpillars etc. Commercial sprays may be used but be sure to follow directions closely. Be sure to spray with a fine mist sprayer to cover top, bottom and branches thoroughly. Hose end types have too coarse a spray. Be careful when using a new insecticide or cure. The best advice is to try it first on some lesser plants to see how it behaves in your yard. Hydrogen peroxide is suggested as a control for fungal problems. The peroxide degenerates into water and oxygen fairly rapidly so it is no threat to the environment. Personally, I have used 1% peroxide on elms and yaupons later on in the season, spraying once a week. I got rid of the black spot with no damage. However, on tender new spring foliage, it caused some leaf burn. Therefore anytime I use peroxide it will be on mature foliage and diluted to a 0.5% solution. Fertilizing is necessary once the trees start to grow. Too many exhibited trees do not have a good dark green foliage. Since we are using soilless mixes for the most part, use a different technique than the one for most potted plants. Water soluble chemical fertilizers should be used at half strength and used more often than labeled, since they will wash out with the next watering. The same is more or less true with liquid organic fertilizers. The best technique is to use solid organic fertilizers. Fertilizer cakes on the surface is the best way. They break down slowly and a small amount is carried into the root zone each time you water. Pelletized organic material can be spread on the surface also but they tend to crumble and create an undesirable surface. Be sure that the fertilizer you use has a balanced formula and not extra high in nitrogen. Be especially careful with chemicals or manure based organic fertilizer on newly potted plants. John Miller John Miller, who writes a monthly column for the Bonsai Society of Dallas and Fort Worth Bonsai Society, has agreed to share his column with us. We need to make adjustments for our warmer and damper climate, with earlier springs, longer summers, late fall and erratic winters. President s Letter The February meeting was interesting and well attended. Scott had Sylvia and Howard Smith in town to discuss Root Development and Grafting Techniques. I heard that it was very informative. Thanks again Scott for getting great programs. Our February Saturday Study Group met at Quality Feed and Garden, located in the Heights, at 4428 North Main Street, Houston, TX Ken Cousino was a great host and over 20 people attended. We will meet there again in May. In March, Saturday Study Group will meet at Maas Nursery in Seabrook, with Clyde Holt as our coordinator. Make plans to attend March 5 th, from 9 AM till about noon. Thanks to Brian Gurrola for hosting HBS members at a Club Dig at his family ranch near Bedias, TX, on Saturday, February 20 th. Over 15 people attended. They gathered some wonderful trees. Thanks again Brian for such a treat. Our April meeting will be our Annual Fundraising Auction. We have traditionally held it late in the Fall, in September, but this year we will try something new and hold it on April 6 th. After all, it s the perfect time to acquire new material for the summer growing season. Hope to see you at the meeting, on March 2 nd. Happy Re-Potting! Floating moss ball like in Pandora, Avatar land? Hurley

4 What is the Monkey Up to this year? Part 2 Bonsai that defies gravity? Bonsai that levitates? No, I am not talking about mini rocks sprinkled with Pixie Dust that can fly like in the animated movies such as Peter Pan or Hook. These creations sure look like sci-fi objects, straight out of an intergalactic Star Wars movie, but you can grow any plant in them, and even hold them in your own hands. Release them above their beautiful dome like base, and watch them float and turn. Just this year, a Kickstarter Campaign brought the miracle of floating Little Star to market. The inventors at Hoshinchu, a company out of Kyushu, Japan, decided that their tiny bonsai should be not only cute but also cool, so they make them float in the air like magic. Floating Air Bonsai by Hoshinchu This small company has created a series of small containers for bonsai trees. In fact, they are just combinations of a pretty ancient art and Maglev technology, an ingenious magnetic energy system. We all know that Bonsai Art arrived to Japan from China about 1,200 years ago when the Japanese Buddhist monks saw in the tiny trees a chance to create symbols of nature s perfection, to be incorporated in their Zen meditation practice. In this case, instead of the monks levitating, the objects of their focus are those floating in air. over an Imari porcelain base. Do you remember the movie Avatar? The one with the tall blue people with tails running around the planet Pandora, climbing on huge rocks covered with vegetation that float in midair? Have you ever dreamed about owning your own floating rock or mini planet like those? Would you mind if they can rotate too? Many styles of bases and vessels are available. Maglev (short for Magnetic Levitation) is a method that uses magnetic levitation to move vehicles at very high speeds, along a guideway using magnets that create both lift and

5 propulsion, without touching the ground. The first commercial maglev, simply called "MAGLEV", opened in 1984 near Birmingham, England. plans will include other plants that have a great chance to thrive in international destinations. Today Hoshinchu combines bonsai creations that date back thousands of years with a not so modern technology, creating tiny maglev trees that can hover like a floating rock in Pandora. With over $480,000 of its original $80,000 goal funded, floating bonsai trees that you can have in your home will soon be a reality. Air Bonsai will be officially sold worldwide in August, By that time, probably the selection of plants would have grown to those that would do well in your parts of the world. For more information or to read about the story behind the creation of Air Bonsai Amazing Science, go to Google or to: HPc This whimsical floating planter system consists of two components - a Little Star (a hand carved lava vessel or moss ball with its own magnet and foam pad) and a magnetic energy base with built-in magnetic series. Thanks to magnets embedded inside the ceramic energy base and the vessel that repel each other, the two surfaces push against one another. The Little Star with plants hovers in the air about two centimeters above the base, cleverly defying the laws of gravity. Bonsai trees or live plants weighing up to 300 grams can be used. For now, small Japanese plants are included in the DIY kits which sell for $200. It is available in a number of configurations shown in the attached photos, starting with a base hidden in exquisitely hand crafted Imari porcelain. The artists make them the old fashion way, one piece at a time, and meticulously finish them to near perfection. In this first year, Japanese native plants come with each Air Bonsai but future The Little Star carved from lava rock and its energy base are embedded with magnets. Once again, I hope you will enjoy all of these creative works of bonsai art that the 2016 Monkey brought. Although I am pretty sure the bonsai purists would frown upon such off the wall creativity, each and every single one of these creations fills me with joy. These bonsai gems are quite a pleasure to look at. Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful New Year filled with more nice surprises! Shawn Nguyen

6 Calendar of Events 2016 March 2, HBS Monthly Meeting Alan Raymond on Air Layering Check out timeless-trees.com for weekly classes with very knowledgeable artists and masters. Stop by the nursery on Friday and Saturday to see the huge selection of bonsai, pots, tools, supplies, books and soils to select from. Make sure you get on the mailing list to be updated on Houston Bonsai news. March 5, Saturday Study Group at Maas Nursery in Seabrook, 9AM 12 Noon. Free, refreshments provided. March 12, Juniper 101 led by Ken Credeur at Timeless Trees, Rosenberg 9AM till finish. $80 include a Green Mound juniper, ceramic pot, soil, wire and hand-outs. This is part 1 with A. Cleaning tree for potting, B. Selecting pot and C. Potting and wiring the tree. Part 2 will be offered at a later date. March Master Class Workshop: Advanced Techniques with Pedro Morales - 2 full-day workshops, 9AM 4PM ($250 per person), repeated by popular request. Focus on Building Kurama pots, deadwood carving, and Phoenix Grafting. Lunch provided. All supplies Included for: 1. Making Kuramas (includes all supplies to make your own kurama, wire mesh, waterproof concrete, colored grout, etc.) 2. Deadwood Carving - (includes a Black and Decker, 3 speed grinder for each person, and misc. bits) 3. Phoenix grafts and adding a Prosthesis (deadwood and juniper whips provided) Come and join us for this advanced techniques class, and go home with a kurama to use, a new grinder, some newly carved deadwood, and a Phoenix Graft or Prosthesis ( added to one of your trees). Almost everything for this class is provided (Grinder, Kurama materials, deadwood, Shimpaku whips, glue, etc.). Students need to bring a pair of gloves and safety glasses. April 2, Shohin Society of Texas - Saikei by Stephen Hendricks April 6, HBS monthly meeting: HBS Annual Auction at Hermann Park. April 9, Saturday Study Group at Timeless Tress, Rosenberg, TX. 9AM 12 Noon. Free, refreshments provided. Quality Feed & Garden and Ken stand ready to help you with bonsai selection, bonsai care, pots and supplies. He will also personally have free classes for HBS every 3- month to help you start with your first bonsai. Check the Calendar of Events for dates. Ask for 10% HBS discount. Come stock up on bonsai soils, pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and other supplies. The plant doctor is always on duty, so bring your unhappy bonsai for a free thorough check up. Don t forget to ask for a 10% HBS discount. April 8-9, 17th Annual Southwest Louisiana Garden Conference & Expo 2016 at Burton Coliseum from 9-5. Set-up will be on Thursday, April 7 starting about noon. April 16, Shohin Society of Texas - Saikei workshop. Emphasis will be on planting Shohin - sized landscapes using trees on trays with accompanying rocks. April 21, LCBS April meeting featuring Rodney Clemons and a BYOT workshop at 6:30pm, in Lake Charles

7 The New Year is upon us and JRN II is ready to greet the 2016 with thousands of seasonal flowering plants, rare tropical plants and exotic bonsai. Remember to ask for 10% discount. Recently, I met Philip Drilling of Cabrera Bonsai Nursery, Sugar Land. He invited all HBS members to visit his Bonsai Booth every Saturday morning from 8AM-Noon, at the Urban Harvest Eastside Market, 3000 Richmond Avenue. That s between Buffalo Speedway and Kirby Drive. Since parking may be hard to find later in the day, try to come early, close to 8AM. Philip has quite a few of the seasonal flowering plants, orchids and bonsai to purchase and work on while you are there. On good, dry and warm days, there is a great chance you would meet Buddy Allen, one of the elders in Houston Bonsai. Bring your trees to get his assistance in styling. There is enough seating for half a dozen people. For more details, feel free to call Philip at Visit artist Andrew Sankowski at the Mossrock Studio & Fine Art Gallery for the finest gifts and most uniquely beautiful bonsai pots in every shape, form and color. Personalized pots or gifts can be commissioned year round. Andrew Sankowski Oak Ridge Drive Direct (281) The Woodlands, TX Fax (281) andy@mossrockstudio.com

8 Houston Bonsai Society, Inc. P. O. Box , Houston, Texas HBS Board Members President Hurley Johnson 1 st Vice President Scott Barboza in charge of Education 2 nd Vice President Dean Laumen drlaumen@bechtel.com Secretary Barbara Adams adams.barbara1@embarqmail.com in charge of Membership Publicity Ken Cousino Treasurer Wayne Malone wayneamalone@gmail.com Webmaster Quyen Tong quyenctong@gmail.com Member at Large - O Nandita D Souza ndas27@gmail.com Member at Large - O Vern Maddox vmaddox1@comcast.net Member at Large - O Sharon Barker Member at Large - O Clyde Holt cmholt11@comcast.net Member at Large - E Brian Gurrola bgurrola@gurrolareprographics.com Member at Large - E Ron Ahles carolahles@sbcglobal.net Delegates Past President Alan Raymond amraymond@suddenlink.net LSBF Delegate Peter Parker peteparkerbonsai@yahoo.com LSBF Alternate Terry Dubois tdubois1@comcast.net BCI Ambassador TTSBE Representative Alan Raymond amraymond@suddenlink.net Refreshments C.J. Everson c.j.everson@comcast.net Website/ Gary Teeter houstonbonsai@gmail.com Newsletter editor Shawn Nguyen hbs.news@yahoo.com The Bonsai News of Houston is a monthly publication of the Houston Bonsai Society, Inc. Copyright The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the editor or a member of the Board of Directors. Exceptions exist, however, for certain not-for-profit and non-profit bonsai organizations or associated bonsai and bonsai nursery newsletters, including without limitation the American Bonsai Society. HBS participates fully with reciprocation of contents and material between other LSBF member organizations and others. Authors who submit articles for this newsletter thereby give permission to such organizations to reprint, unless they expressly state otherwise. Space for advertising in The Bonsai News of Houston can be requested by contacting the newsletter editor or a member of the HBS Board. The rates for a business-card-size ad (approximately 3 1/2" x 2") are $6 per month, $30 for 6 months and $50 per year (12 issues). A full-page ad is $25 per month. Rates are subject to change without notice. 3½" x 2" classified ads are run free of charge for one month once per 12-month period for non-commercial members. For special requests or questions related to The Bonsai News of Houston, contact the newsletter editor or a member of the HB