THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE. Canberra Bonsai Society inc.

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1 WIRRABARA THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE Canberra Bonsai Society inc. Founded in 1975 Website: PO Box 800 Woden ACT 2606 ABN ISSN Registered by Australia Post - Publications PP248831/00038 Canberra Bonsai Society is a member of: AABC (Australian Associated Bonsai Clubs), BCI (Bonsai Clubs International). and affiliated with Garden Clubs of Australia. All material is copyright, but may be used for non-commercial purposes as long as author and Wirrabara are acknowledged. For other uses please contact the Editor. It has been a very eventful period for bonsai over the last month. Firstly CBS put on a display and demonstrations at Floriade as we have done in previous years and this took up quite a bit of time for a number of club members. The National Bonsai and Penjing collection of Australia opened in Commonwealth Park during Floriade. The number of people visiting NBPCA during Floriade was huge and it was pleasing to see such a fantastic response from the public. The large number of visitors required a huge effort by the volunteers to staff the site and to deal with the throngs of people who poured in to see the marvellous exhibition. I must congratulate the organisers, the guides and the volunteers on their fantastic achievement. AABC 2009 Convention in Brisbane. Early bird cut-off 31 October 2008.!! Contact: Tony Bebb tonybebb@optusnet.com.au The CBS Show was one of our best yet. It coincided with the last weekend of Floriade and it was especially pleasing to see such a wonderful display of members trees. Congratulations to all who contributed to such an event. The Saturday night demonstrator was Don de Luca who most of us had not seen before. Don used two black pines that already had a considerable amount of work done on them. I liked Don s approach where you can see the effects of the initial training evident and you can see how the artist intends the trees to develop to reach the next stage. With the application of wrapping (old bicycle tubes and wire) of the trunk some very dra- November 2008 matic bending of the trunks was undertaken. I expect that many more club members should be prepared to try this technique in future. Thanks to Don for the marvellous demonstration. Don s presentation was extremely entertaining and had the audience in fits of laughter for most of the night. Ed. Don with the smaller black pine after some dramatic bending. Note the bicycle tubing starting just above the first branch. Inside Wirrabara Mike, Don and Grant trying to exert their will on a particularly stubborn branch. A partial fracture from previous training made the task more challenging. Presidents Report page 2 CBS Show page 3 Snippings page 5 FTWB page 6,7 Top 10 page 7 NBPCA opening page 8 Shohin at Show page 9 Calendar of Events page 11 1

2 President s report The last few weeks have seen a very high level of bonsai-related activity in Canberra. After the excitement of the opening of the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia, we presented another excellent show. The combination of supporting the NBPCA as volunteers and contributing to the success of our show has put a significant demand on our members and I sincerely thank all who have helped make it possible to run our show so smoothly while as a club we also contributed many volunteer hours to the NBPCA, especially during the busy Floriade period. Extra helpers this year contributed to the show set-up, running and take-down, and this took the pressure off the show committee and the hardy stalwarts who are always there for the duration. It was good to see new faces among the helpers this year, and all put in a sterling effort. There is more information and show highlights later in this newsletter. The shohin display organised by Lisa K was a highlight for me. I searched for the right word to describe the overall impression of this display and I think lively captures it quite well. I spent quite a few hours at the NBPCA during Floriade and although I fully expected that visitors would admire the bonsai, I did not expect to see the high level of pleasure and delight engendered by excellent trees in a beautiful setting. The number of people who commented on the setting gave me a greater appreciation of the importance we place on how our trees are presented in our shows. One interstate visitor commented on how the extra height of our tables enhances our show display. So, to those of you who have bonded with fellow members over the sometimes frustrating experience of building the frames to lift the tables: Yes, it is worth it! and showed particular appreciation for a number of trees. He offered assistance to the club if we wished to make contact with penjing artists in China. I am looking forward to exploring options for taking up this offer, and welcome any suggestions from members. The Ambassador to Japan was unable to attend as he had commitments out of Canberra. A grandson of Jean Simpson also visited the show and was pleased to learn that the trophy for winner of the public choice vote is named after Jean, and that she is fondly remembered by the members who knew her. After a relaxed supper, we enjoyed an entertaining and informative presentation by Don Deluca. The theme of Don s demonstration was taking bonsai to the second stage of development. This really struck a chord with me, as once I have decided on the primary design and put that in place, I do not invest in the attention to detail, especially where that means detailed wiring, necessary to make a first class bonsai. If you missed Don s demonstration, visit his tree at the NBPCA while it still has the wire on. Now that I have retired, perhaps I will have the time to do this second stage properly. Then again, perhaps not! Neville H won this year s Shirley McLachlan Award, which will be presented at the November meeting. Congratulations, Neville, and thank you for the effort you have put into our new website. Thank you again to all who contributed to the show s success. Particular thanks to show committee members Jim M, Frank K and Mike W, and to the demonstrators Joe M, Ian C, Leigh Taafe and Jim M. Ruth The Ambassador to China visited our show this year, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Public Officer Ruth Phone: (02) Executive Committee Members Secretary Mike W Phone (02) Treasurer Mike K Phone (02) Newsletter Editor Tom C Phone: (02) wirrabara@cbs.org.au Project Officer Duncan M Phone: (02) Librarian Lorraine V Phone: (02) Publicity Officer Gordon S Phone: Membership Officer Peter G Phone (02) Newsletter Mailing Kenn B Phone: Administrative Officer Fay B Phone (02)

3 CBS Annual Show Bonsai 2008 Show Committee Report Members of the Society again provided another wonderful display of members bonsai. In total, there were 68 exhibits and it was very pleasing to see that several of the club s newer members submitted trees this year perhaps due to the incentive offered by Leigh Taafe of Ledanta Bonsai Nursery of a prize of $100 for the best beginner s tree. The range of trees was excellent and was this year highlighted by a combined display of 14 shohin trees in a single bay which Lisa K organized. The number of patrons viewing the display was greater than last year. We had a total of 678 people (509 last year) comprising 490 adults and 188 concessions. We were pleased that the Ambassador for the People s Republic of China attended and spent nearly an hour viewing and commenting on the trees in the display. ACT Senator Gary Humphries also popped in for his regular bonsai fix. The visiting public enthusiastically participated in voting for their choice of the best tree. Again we noticed the numbers of young people earnestly going back and forth reviewing their choices. At the end of the show the votes were tallied and the Jean Simpson Memorial Trophy for the People s Choice of Most Popular Tree (94 votes) was awarded to exhibit #29, Crataegus monogyna - Hawthorn. The runner-up (63 votes) was exhibit #67, Carpinus betulus European hornbeam. Third place (57 votes) went to exhibit #37, Juniperus procumbens nana Creeping Juniper. At the supper demonstration on Saturday night, our visiting demonstrator Don Deluca from Hay, NSW, chose exhibit #34, Pinus radiata Monterey pine, for the Guest Demonstrator s Award for Best Tree. And as mentioned earlier, the Ledanta Bonsai Nursery Beginners Award went to exhibit #15, Juniperus procumbens Juniper. The raffle results are as follows. The Seiju elm and the Pat Kennedy mini pot were won by members of the public and the Bonsai book was won by the spouse of a CBS member. The public demonstrations were well attended each day full to overflowing. Thanks to Ian C, Joe M, Jim M and Leigh T. The Saturday night supper was also well attended. Plenty of great food and a chance to taste this year s Society wine. Don Deluca gave us a very informative (and of course entertaining) demonstration of some bending techniques, both employing bike tubes as an alternative to raffia. Don s theme was the importance of continually refining you trees to get them from being really good trees to being great trees. He also showed us that there is life after shrimp catching for shrimp pots. Early indications are that the show was a financial success although the details are not finalized, and estimate of the outstanding expenses looks to have us in the black. The staging of the annual show overlapped a very busy period for our members staffing the CBS display at Floriade for two days and providing stewards 7 days a week at the new National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia display. The Show Committee noted that many members made themselves available to assist in the set-up and take-down of the display where many hands carefully choreographed, can make a big job not so daunting. Members were very helpful and flexible right across the weekend, despite some glitches with the roster system. Congratulations and thanks to all on a great show! Creeping Juniper Hawthorn Monterey pine European hornbeam Juniper 3

4 NBPCA artists and trees Mel Imbesi - Monterey pine Antique Mattock Finds its Way Home It was with great pleasure - and a little ceremony - that the CBS annual show became the venue for a member of the CBS Executive to hand back to the Goulburn Bonsai Society Inc their priceless mattock that went astray at the CBS dig earlier this year. We are all relieved that the mattock, which had been in the hands of one Goulburn family for countless generations and handed down from eldest son to eldest son, is now safely back with an eldest son - who will no doubt keep a firm grip on it in future. Mike W Derek & Sue Oakley - Melaleuca raphiophylla Arthur Robinson - Acer palmatum Ledanta Bonsai Nursery 6 Louat Place Evatt ACT Saturday - Sunday 10am 4pm Weekdays by appointment Bonsai Focus Magazines $12 each For CBS Members only All Bonsai Requirements Stock Trees Tools & Wire Pots & Trays Hire Available Servicing & Classes Minding Service 4 Megumi Bennett - Banksia serrata Phone:

5 CBS WINE ORDERS Many of you will have tasted the CBS 2008 wine at the Saturday supper and demo night at the Show. If not, then those that did will tell you that it s not a bad drop.many also placed orders on that night, but there is still time to place your order. We have the usual good deal on great wine: Shiraz, Semillon-Chardonnay and Brut $9.00 per bottle or $100 per dozen (includes mix dozen), and Tawny $12.00 a bottle You can place your order at the November meeting, and make payment when you take delivery at the December meeting. Bonsai Sale Sunday Nov 9 Judy R is selling her bonsai and has invited interested club members to her place between 10am to 1pm. Judy asked that people do not call her, but just turn up on the day. Prices are between $25 and $135. Pictures will be available on the web site in the Member's Forum soon. Hopefully members go home with an addition or two to their collection. There are some other sundry bonsai items including - small (Shohin?) pots, a large marble 'slab' and 2 rocks Tree list Privet forest - 8+ yrs Privet clump - 8 y Hornbeam weeping Juniper raft style - 8 y Juniper 'tangled root' style - 12 y Juniper NEW SHIPMENT OF POTS AND TOOLS HAS ARRIVED FROM JAPAN POTS Bunjin,cascade and many more TOOLS: Full range for beginners to advanced Cut paste, calus mate, rust & sap remover DVD: Bonsai Techniques by Megumi Bennett $19.95 (Ideal for beginners) NEW RELEASE: Imported from Japan (limited supply) Mount Fuji Beech- WORKSHOPS: Black and Red Pines 4 times a year Bonsai Art p/l Imperial Bonsai Nursery 18 Myoora Rd Terrey Hills 2084 Tel: Fax: bonsai@acay.com.au Web: megumibennettbonsai.com 6th National Exhibition of Australian Plants as Bonsai The exhibition is on the weekend of 22 and 23 November this year, with set up and tree registration on Friday 21. The show won't open to the public until Saturday. There will be a sign up list at the November meeting to collect the names of those who can help out over those days. We typically need some general help for the set up, some stewards and people on the front desk to collect entry fees. A number of our regular helpers are unavailable that weekend and there will be others who have been spending time at the NBPCA who need to take a break - so here is a chance for some new or different members to help. This show is an easy introduction to being involved in a show event and is a great way to learn more about bonsai and get to know some of the members a little better. Trident maple small - 10 y Pyracantha advanced but largely unstyled Apricot y part styled Box Trident clump - unstyled Swamp cypress - small Swamp cypress - medium Zelkova group - small Quince Contact secretary@cbs.org.au for details if you are interested OPEN 7 DAYS 9am to 5pm 5

6 FROM THE WORKBENCH - NOVEMBER 2008 I hope you were able to get to the CBS Show and that you enjoyed it as much as I did. As usual, the bonsai displayed were of exceptional quality. I loved the Shohin display, and it was good to see more trees in the recently styled section. As much as enjoyed the show; with so much of my time over the last couple of months being taken up with preparations for it and with the opening of National Collection, I am looking forward to being able to relax and spend some quality time with my bonsai. Many are in need of pruning and, although I missed repotting many of my maples and other deciduous species, I do intend to repot some Junipers this month, and I have a couple of Pyracanthas which may still get done. Apart from this bit of late potting, my main bonsai tasks in November will be watering and pruning. As the spring growth on Maples and other deciduous trees starts to harden off, they generally require much less trimming. During this time, I remove any larger leaves that are not in proportion, or that shade inner branches. This not only maintains the shape and design of the tree, it also helps to increase branch ramification, and usually results in smaller leaves on any new growth. I prefer to use this partial defoliation technique throughout the growing season rather than removing all the leaves later in the year, as is often suggested. Some conifers such as Spruce and Cedars tend to have their main flush of growth in early spring, so that pruning new growth on them is pretty much a once a year event. However many, such as Junipers and related species, continue to grow throughout the spring and summer, so you will need to continue pinch pruning them to maintain shape and to compact their growth. Spring flowering species such Azaleas should be pruned after they have flowered, which is also the best time to repot them should they need it. Your watering regime should be much the same as last month, as we are still very much between seasons and the needs of individual trees will continue to vary. However, during this period it is important to practice correct watering techniques. Every time you water, you should thoroughly saturate the pot, and then allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings. Frequent light watering of the surface soil encourages most of the roots to grow close to the surface of the pot and, during a very hot day, the surface soil and those roots near the surface could dry out completely and the tree may die. On the other hand, thorough soaking of the soil promotes root growth throughout the pot, and the tree is then better able to handle the conditions during the hotter months. Also, when watering, regularly spray the foliage of your trees. This not only removes any dirt and grime from the leaves, but will also help prevent spider mite infection on susceptible species. Trees that were potted up this year may not require fertilising yet, but others will benefit from regular (Continued on page 7) CAMBEWARRA BONSAI & SUISEKI 5 Hockeys Lane Cambewarra NSW 2540 (5 mins from Nowra CBD, please phone for directions if required.) Phone: (02) All bonsai requirements for the beginner and professional. Bonsai Club members qualify for automatic discounts 6

7 (Continued from page 6) feeding. Also keep a sharp eye on any trees that have been wired to ensure it does not cut in and scar the bark. I find it useful to put some form of marker in the pot of wired trees, to remind me to check on them regularly, and when checking your trees, do look out for pests and remove or spray them before they become a major problem. With most of our repotting done, this is usually a rather quiet time of year for bonsai, so as you go about your watering and pruning tasks, do take time out to enjoy your trees. Jim M Top 10 Voting at CBS Show 2008 Votes Place ID Botanical Name Common name Year 94 1st 29 Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn nd 67 Carpinus betulus European hornbeam rd 37 Juniperus procumbens nana Creeping juniper th 10 Acer buergeranum Trident maple th 27 Acer palmatum Japanese maple = 6th 25 Banksia serrata Saw banksia = 6th 45 Ficus rubiginosa Port Jackson fig th 40 Grevillea rosemarinifolia Grevillea 'Scarlet Sprite' th 8 Acer palmatum Japanese maple = 10th 5 Juniperus procumbens Juniper = 10th 36 Ulmus parvifolia Corky Bark Chinese elm 1982 Guest Demonstrator Award Pinus radiata Monterey Pine 1995 Ledanta Award 15 Juniperus procumbens Juniper 2008 A complete list is available at cbs.org.au 26 SAGARS ROAD Kenthurst, N.S.W Phone: OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK Ray Nesci BONSAI NURSERY * New Carving Tool Attachments Just In* (As seen by past European Demonstrators) From : Bonsai Design Holland, Samurai 6mm shaft - $259 (Very powerful & efficient in bulk clearing of wood) Samurai jr 6mm shaft - $173 ( Ideal for detailed work in difficult places) Ninja 6mm shaft - $199 (For work on medium and large size trees where precision & accuracy are needed) Shogun short 6mm shaft - $168 ( Long length carving attachment of 62mm, enables insertion deep into the tree to create Saba miki) Shogun long 6mm shaft - $188 (As per Shogun short) For pictures and additional information see above website) Enquiries phone or sales@raynescibosai@bigpond.com A wide range of Bonsai and Bonsai material available at all times 7

8 The official opening of the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia. On a lovely sunny Canberra morning hundreds of people from all over Australia gathered together to witness the official opening of the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia (NBPCA). There were three people from Western Australia, one from Tasmania and many from the rest of the states including numerous bus loads of people from Sydney and lots of local Canberrans also. Some of the attendees were proud parents of the bonsai that they had loaned or donated to the NBPCA while others were here just to participate in the opening of the first truly national collection of bonsai in Australia. The speeches were made in a marquee some two hundred metres away and then the focus moved to the site of the collection. There, the Interim Curator, Mr Grant Bowie, struck a brass gong to call guests attention and the new NBPCA bonsai pavilion was officially opened with a simultaneous ribbon cutting ceremony performed by the Chief Minister of the ACT, Mr John Stanhope and the chairman of the Bonsai Management Committee Dr Roger Hnatiuk. The twin cutting of the ribbon was to symbolise the cooperation between the Act government and the bonsai community of Australia in making this collection possible. Dr Hnatiuk conducted Mr John Stanhope through the bright red entrance gate to be the first official guest of the collection and then the rest of the gathered bonsai community filed through to view the collection. For the next hour and a half the collection was full of the excited specialist bonsai audience and many pictures were taken of both the bonsai and the guests. The annual floral festival in Canberra, Floriade, was in full swing and we were right in the middle of it both geographically and time wise, so by mid day the rope barriers were removed and the general public were allowed in to see the collection as well. During the 23 days that the NBPCA was open during Floriade we had 38,770 visitors pass through the collection, many of them local Canberrans. The locals were especially pleased when they learned that they were viewing a permanent collection on the site rather than a temporary Floriade display and many said they would be back with their interstate visitors or come back in a quiet moment outside of Floriade to view it for themselves. All of the comments on the collection, both verbal and written in the visitors book, were very complimentary of the bonsai, the display facility and the combined effort of the ACT government and the bonsai community to establish the NBPCA. The guides of the collection, resplendent in their red coats, answered lots of questions about the collection in general and many specific questions on their favorite trees on display. Each of the bonsai on display seemed to be someone s favorite and it showed how balanced the collection is in terms of deciduous, evergreen, conifer and native. The mix of styles present and the forests were also very popular. We are now looking forward to reopening the collection once Commonwealth Park has been cleared of the Floriade infrastructure. We intend to open 7 days a week from Saturday the 25 th of October with daily opening hours currently 10am till 3pm. Grant Bowie 8

9 The Shohin at the Show For the first time our club show included a separate shohin bonsai section, which was considered a success. Fifteen small trees were exhibited, of ten different species, in a variety of styles. (Fig. 1) Lack of space prevents a detailed discussion of each, but here are a few photos plus comments, just to whet the shohin appetite of all readers here. This Pyracantha (Fig. 2) was best of shohin. Interestingly styled, with a good size trunk in relation to its height, good taper and branching, plus a nice movement, it was under 25 cm and could be held in the palm of one s hand. There were two box, Buxus microphylla compacta, i.e. a species ideally suited to small bonsai. Fig. 3 shows a perfect, 11 cm. broom style tree with leaves no bigger than 1 2 mm., while in Fig. 4 the same species was styled as root-over-rock in a small saikei. An elegant little Kingsville box showed leaves almost as small. Two Japanese maples, i.e. Acer palmatum, had leaves of no more than 1 2 cm, a remarkable reduction, with the tree in Fig. 5 showing a decent size trunk with a beautifully fluid movement. A small trident was styled as root-over-rock (Fig. 6), with the roots clasping the stone in an exemplary way. (It ain t easy to achieve this so well!) We were indebted to Leigh Taafe (the only owner who can be named here) for contributing a dwarf Mugo pine (Fig. 7). A shohin section without a pine just isn t complete. Also thanks to Leigh, there was even a Ginkgo (Fig. 8). This one is a dwarf cultivar with tiny leaves. In nursery trees it is grafted onto the full size stock and, from the looks of it, may help us to get away from the pineapple style so often adopted for this species. Slightly above 25 cm was this Australian native, a dwarf Baeckea virgata (Fig. 9 - name recently changed to Babingtonia virgata). Opinions vary, of course, but surely this was one of the most interesting trees in the whole of the club show. With the present fashion of Big is Beautiful, a 9

10 bonsai like this is easily overlooked. One cannot help wondering sometimes what the excitement over Big does to objective bonsai appreciation in general. There were also two charming Chinese elms (Ulmus parvifolia), a small dwarf azalea and a Potentilla fruticosa which was just coming into flower. There is a chance that the shohin section will become a permanent feature of the CBS shows in future. Regardless, these little trees are worth exhibiting, be it in the traditional manner (Fig. 10) or in an open display (Fig. 1). May I recommend as examples of suitable species, apart from the ones named above, the Shimpaku and other junipers, Cotoneaster of the small-leafed varieties, dwarf Chamaecyparis, and any of the small-leafed natives that you can get to survive in a small pot. But please remember that shohin is bonsai, and that the same aesthetic laws apply to all bonsai, large or small! A tree that is under 25 cm doesn t become a shohin simply because of its height. Please refer to Fig. 1 for an example of desirable features. Special note: Pat Kennedy liked our shohin and has promised that the next time he appears in Canberra, it will be with a big selection of shohin pots! Lisa Kanis Canberra, October 15,2008 More NBPCA trees and artists Right Aaron, Jermaine and Aaron Olea europa Left John Mackie Pinus thunbergii Left Ross Miller Pinus parviflora 10 Right Richard Roberts Olea europa

11 Canberra Bonsai Society Meetings - Where & When The Canberra Bonsai Society Inc. meets on the FIRST Saturday of each month (except in October & Jan.) Setup starts at 9.30am Meeting starts at 9.50am and finishes no later than 1.30pm Location: The Hughes Community Centre, Hughes Shopping Centre, Wisdom Street, Hughes Agenda Presidents address, updates from Treasurer, Secretary etc. Talk/demonstration for the month Short break Show and Tell 1 November November 6 December CBS EVENTS 2008 Show and Tell: Groups or rafts Managing scars / cuts by Grant Bowie Australian Plants as Bonsai Exhibition at National Botanic Gardens Canberra Show and Tell: Christmas trees Christmas quiz Meeting dates 1 November 6 December 9 November May 2009 Newcastle Bonsai Society at Warners Bay Girl Guides Hall AABC Ltd Convention 2009 Brisbane "Shine on Bonsai" Earlybird cut-off 31 October 2008 More NBPCA trees and artists At right Jim Miller Cedrus deodara At right Roger Hnatiuk Above Dot Koreshoff and Aaron with one the 1951 Japanese Black Pines that were donated by Dot and Vita Koreshoff Acacia howittii 11

12 WIRRABARA Official Newsletter of the CANBERRA BONSAI SOCIETY Inc PO Box 800 WODEN ACT 2606 POSTAGE PAID AUSTRALIA 12