The Bonsai News of Houston

Transcription

1 The Bonsai News of Houston A Monthly Newsletter of the Houston Bonsai Society Inc. Volume 49 Number 9 September 2018 IN THIS ISSUE Upcoming Events Bonsai soils with Scott Barboza Showcase of the Month Bougainvilleas September Bonsai Care John Miller Tyler President s Letter Texas Shohin Society September meeting Getting to Know Ken Cousino LSBF Visiting Artist Tyler Sherrod Timeless Trees 9 th Anniversary 6 th US National Bonsai Exhibit in Rochester, NY A beautifully aged Bougainvillea bonsai in the most popular purple shade (Photo: Pinterest) The next meeting of the Houston Bonsai Society will be at the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion in Hermann Park, 1500 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX Refreshments at 7 PM, meeting starts at 7:30 PM. September 5 HBS monthly meeting: Bonsai Soils with Scott Barboza. For Show & Tell with Ray, please bring your bougainvilleas in bloom. Upcoming Events More details in Calendar of Events September 1, Timeless Trees 9th Anniversary Sale, 9 AM - 4 PM, 20% off all tropicals, 10% discount on all tools and pots. Demonstrations, hourly door prizes, snacks and refreshments all day.. September 1 Saturday Study Group at Maas Nursery, 5511 Todville Road, Seabrook, 9 AM 12 Noon. Free, refreshments provided. September th U. S. National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester, NY at Total Sports Experience. See announcement for details. September 15 Texas State Shohin club: Bring a nursery tree to start a Shohin with John Miller at Persimmon Hill, Red Hawk Cove, Austin, TX. Contact Steven Hendricks at stevenhendricks@sbcglobal.net or September Northwest Bonsai Rendezvous in Portland, OR More details at Northwest Bonsai Rendezvous. September 29 LSBF Visiting artist Tyler Sherrod s demo (Dogwood Studio) at the Fellowship Hall of St. Marks United Methodist Church, 600 Pecore, Houston TX, 77009, from 2 5:30 PM. Demo tree will be raffled. September 30 Tyler Sherrod s BYOT workshops at Timeless Trees. Morning session: 9-12 Noon. Afternoon session: 1:30 4:30PM. $25 for each session. Please sign up with Terry Dubois at the meeting.

2 Bougainvilleas September Bonsai Care After last months triple digits hitting 110 degrees, requiring multiple daily waterings, we got low 90 s and a week without turning the hose on. The best advice I can give you is that you have to know your own backyard, plan for the normal conditions, and expect as well as be ready for anything else. I think plants are more attuned to the varying length of days than to temperature to set their life cycles - dormancy, flowering, etc. For example, the cedar elm sets buds in early August, so they are ready to bloom with the first fall rain. That way its seeds have the best chance to get a root down far enough to survive till the next summer. It is probably not late enough for the bonsai to go into their pre-dormancy slow down period. If they are still growing, continue twig pruning and other summer care. There will still be some days with pretty hot temps. So as the sun changes its angle, make sure that the pots do not get too hot in the afternoon sun. Also watering now becomes harder. As trees slow their growth, they do not take as much water, neither will they transpire as much on the cooler days. So check each one separately and water as often and as much as the individual trees require. Help your trees go into dormancy. The general rule of thumb on fertilizers is to stop giving nitrogen in early September and fertilize with one that has a formulation like They will need less water as they quit active growth but on warm days, trees with green foliage will still transpire and will need water. Most tropicals have a dormant season also but it is usually caused by dry conditions rather than cold. These types need to be hardened. so cut the fertilizer to halt active growth and give them lighter watering. This will also enable them to withstand the transfer to the greenhouse better. Check the trees you still have wire on. When the cooler days get here, some trees will expand their branches and get wire cuts rather quickly. You need to check them periodically over the winter also. Winter growth will usually be pretty slow but can occur, especially on the evergreens. Cut the wire off. Branches may easily break if you try to unwrap the wire. It s just not worth trying to save the wire. Work from the outside end back toward the trunk so that you do not overlook small pieces of wire that may cut into the branches very soon. If wire needs to be reapplied, take care. Two other things you can do now: Prepare your winter quarters and study your evergreen trees to determine if you need to do any restyling later this fall. Bonsai in Texas should be a year-round sport. You don t need to cover them completely like up North. Try to arrange them where you can see them from inside the home. Just remember that they will still need to be watered and evergreens will need some sun. Check on the green house space you plan to winter your bonsai.

3 (1) Make sure that it s clean of debris that harbor insects and other plant pathogens. A strong lime-sulfur spray can be used to disinfect the area as well as your growing area after the trees are removed. (2) Be sure that you will be able to check the water needs of the trees. (3) It should be somewhat protected from winds but still has some air circulation to help prevent mold growth. (4) Set that location where you can see the bonsai and enjoy their winter silhouette, their branch structure and twiginess, that is a great part of deciduous bonsai. There is not much to do for deciduous trees at this time. Bugs and other problems are usually not a matter of concern since the foliage will be dropping soon. Evergreens and tropicals will still need to be watched for insect problems, especially spider mites which will be active into fall. Use the organic spray formula to control them. If we should have a stretch of damp weather, watch out for fungal problems, leaf spot, mildew, etc. For fungal control, use potassium bicarbonate (baking soda will work well) and/or a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution at this time. The organic spray formula is one tablespoon each of liquid seaweed, fish emulsion, 5% apple cider vinegar, and molasses in one gallon of water. This solution can be used as a foliar feed but I only consider it an insecticide. Pruning and trimming can be done any time that there is not a lot of sap flowing but it s best to do it during dormancy. Sap flow is indicated by the foliar activity of the plant as in the spring. If your tree went into summer dormancy, which sometimes occurs during hot weather. The cooler weather that follows might trigger a stronger sap flow in late summer or early fall. If your plants get a flush of new growth, it would be advisable to postpone large pruning cuts for a while. Basically let you tree tell you when it is ok to carry out major operations. Check nurseries for possible bonsai material. When the planting season is over, everything goes on sale to clear out the grounds for Christmas trees. Help your club officers scout out possible digging sites. Remember pastures and open sites are usually better than forests for our type of material. 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. A common but still absolutely delightful sight where colorful bougainvilleas adorn brightly painted doors on the islands of Greece. (Photo: Pinterest) President s Letter September is shaping up to be an exciting month for bonsai in Houston. On the 8 th and 9 th, several of our members will be attending the National Exhibition in Rochester, NY. I know that Hurley and Vern will be exhibiting trees there so let s all wish them well. I m really looking forward to seeing old bonsai friends, 200 of the best bonsai in the US and leaving most of the contents of my wallet at Sara Rayner s vendor table. If you would like more information you can find it at:

4 A group of about 12 of us have been working hard on the ABS/LSBF/HBS convention that will be held from April 11 to 14, 2019 at the Houston Marriott Westchase hotel. We have put together a truly outstanding program featuring 14 workshops, 12 free seminars, 2 artist spotlights, and 3 exhibit critiques. In total there are 22 different artists involved in executing the program. I believe the exhibit will be the largest ever in Texas, and, with cash prizes, hopefully the best ever. Registration opens on September 15, so get online that day and go to the HBS, LSBF, or ABS website and get registered early so that you get the workshops that you want. On the 29 th and 30 th, Tyler Sherrod will be in Houston as part of the LSBF Touring Artist program. Terry Dubois has plans for a lecture/demonstration on Saturday afternoon and workshops in the morning and afternoon on Sunday and you will be able to sign up for the workshops at the meeting this month. I met Tyler a couple of years ago and have seen him several times since then. He is a very enjoyable person to be around and extremely knowledgeable after his 5-year apprenticeship with Shinji Suzuki in Japan. I m looking forward to being in at least one of his workshops. Pete Parker A message from the Shohin Society of Texas Hello Shohin enthusiasts, Since our September meeting will be about creating shohin from nursery stock I wanted to share with you a couple of nursery plants that I found at Lowe s. One plant was a "Golden Nugget" Dwarf Japanese Barberry (from Monrovia Nursery). The leaves are an attractive greenish yellow. There is another variety with red leaves but I neglected to pick one up that day. Unfortunately, when I went back to get the red variety, all of both varieties were gone. As you may find in barberries, most are multi-trunked and could easily become a nice clump or forest. You might want to check out your local Lowe s or nurseries to see if they have any. And when you go through any nursery, take some time to browse. You never know what you might come across. The second recommendation is the dwarf Mugho pine I picked up at the same time. I have found Mughos to be difficult but they have very nice trunks! It will be fun to work with them even if they never become a shohin. Remember to keep an eye out for some Mexican heather for our next meeting. Steven Hendricks

5 Getting to Know Ken Cousino When HBS returned to Hermann Park facility, our home for the past 60 years or so, the club started to attract a new generation of more diverse bonsai aficionados. Over the past decades, bonsai was considered a hobby for retirees with a lot of time to kill or active seniors preparing for their golden days. To my delight, a lot of younger faces popped up at every meeting as well as a lot more immigrants from all corners of the world. Being a first generation immigrant myself to the US, I have never felt more at home with the various colors of the new American Quilt of HBS and the bonsai world. happens to be a very dear bonsai buddy of mine for over 15 years. Just recently, he retired to the country. Before I got to chat with this outgoing and confident young Ken, and get to know him a little better, I mistook him for an ambitious and aspiring political candidate running for some post in the city or state government. Doctor Ken is always ready to serve with a big smile. He turned out to be a passionate bonsai lover who owns (believe it or not) a quaint feed store in the Heights. How does a feed store owner know so much about public relations? Find out more about this fascinating young man s fascinating story on his website: qualityfeedco.com. Ken beaming with pride and joy while chatting with the public at the 2015 HBS Fall Show, at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Garden. After all, just in the past decade, the Art of Bonsai has evolved from ancient Chinese and Japanese schools towards the new American trends with rapidly growing waves of young Japanese trained American masters like Ryan Neil, Michael Hagedorn and Bjorn Bjorholm. Perhaps the invention of the Internet and social media, blogs, Facebook, and Smart phones have played the most crucial roles in spreading the news and ideas worldwide faster than the speed of light. Like a breath of fresh air, a handsome young man walked into an HBS meeting and brightened the room with a happy face, beaming with joy and enthusiasm. That newcomer is HBS second Ken, Ken Cousino. A few call him Happy Ken, to distinguish him from the other Ken, whose nickname I won t mention, who Ken and Chris, partners in business and in life, always light up the room with their love for each other, for bonsai and for life. From across the large meeting room at the Cherie Flores Pavilion, once in a while I glanced at the Board meetings to notice that Ken always wholeheartedly participates in the planning of upcoming events.

6 One day, on my lucky day, he paid me generous compliments about my work with the HBS newsletter, then volunteered to be my other eyes and ears in reporting the number of attendees and to record all events with his camera. Within hours of any meeting, I return home to find those photos in an . He just blew me away with the efficiency of his work. My paid assistants don t work half that fast. Since, my HBS photo bank has been enriched by dozens of photos Ken sends every month. Other board members also echo my sentiments and admiration for Ken. He had embraced one of the most demanding jobs on the board Publicity Director. From the get go, he has done a fantastic job in promoting the Art of Bonsai for HBS, using all Houston s public media had to offer, like a natural born pro. It turned out he is a pro at Public Relations, and has been a pro for a few decades, backed with a masters degree in the field. Ahh, he fooled me. He is not as young as he looks! I wonder what his secret is. Trying to make up for lost time, Ken often choose big trees. Doesn t he look happy like a kid in a candy store? Timeless Trees Nursery & Studio is his second home. Ken's agricultural and farming roots run deep. His family cultivated grain and alfalfa, and raised poultry, hogs and cattle. He already became an avid gardener and landscaper at a tender age. As a child, Ken has raised many animals, some as pets like dogs and cats, others reserved for gourmets like quails, exotic chickens, ducks, pigeons and doves. In his pre-teen years, Ken received a greenhouse from his father as a gift to feed his fascination with trees and his passion in propagating flowers and vegetables. Ken has always been intrigued with trees and collected citrus trees until space ran out. Ken is his current bonsai greenhouse behind the feed store In his early 20s, Ken purchased a small juniper in a plastic pot, along with two bonsai books to make sure he has all the tips and second opinions he can get in styling it as a cascade. Then Ken discovered a bonsai nursery, Asia EZ bonsai nursery run by a Vietnamese family in Pearland. He was hooked! Ken marveled at the rare varieties of starter bonsai trees offered by that nursery but also at the attention and great advices the family offered to him as a newbie. His favorite of all their bonsai was a majestic bald cypress left to grow naturally under a bench. It was there that Ken picked out a cascade pot for his juniper, and a great tool kit he still uses today! Besides great trees and great instructions, the nursery also offered many bonsai magazines which provided Ken with the bonsai basics that he still treasures in his practice. Like most enthusiasts first bonsai, his first cascade juniper perished from missing him (and the much needed water too) when the young Ken traveled extensively for work. When he finally found time to return to Asian EZ nursery for a replacement, he sadly found out that the nursery closed down. Ken assisted by Scott Barboza of HBS at a Saturday Study Group he hosted in his own store s backyard

7 Ken received a Bachelor degree in English, Speech and Drama Education from The Ohio State University in 1983, and pursued graduate studies in Public Relations Management at the University of Houston. Ken has served as a Public Relations professional, alumni affairs coordinator, special events planner, and speech writer until he hung up his PR career in 1991 to purchase Quality Feed & Garden, which was established in It is one of the oldest Purina feed and garden franchises in the USA. Ken s job at the time didn t allow him to pursue his love of bonsai started in his salad days. However, Ken s childhood experiences, education, and professional experience, and nearly 30 years as owner of Quality Feed & Garden, have made him one of Houston s best known agricultural professionals, the go-to animal expert and now a gardening expert. Some of his customers lovingly call him Doctor Ken for the knowledge and assistance he readily provides to animal owners and gardeners. You d be surprised to find out that Ken is also well rounded about many other topics too. Ken had the privilege to apprentice with Hurley Johnson at Timeless Trees Bonsai Nursery in Rosenberg. It was also at that happy bonsai studio that he had the chance to learn with the most talented masters or artists Rodney Clemens, David Nguy, Danny Coffey, Sergio Cuan, Pedro Morales, Jonas Dupuich. He tagged along with the Houston group to Brussel s and other conventions to learn from many other teachers and masters like Marc Noelanders, Kathy Shaner, Daisaku Nomoto and David Kreutz. The prodigy student of master Pedro Morales was awarded with his Bonsai book As a late comer to the bonsai scene, Ken feels blessed to be part of the Houston Bonsai Society, a very dynamic club with a lot of energy, where he is taught by very talented local artists like Hurley Johnson, Alex Luong, Hoe & Soon, and Scott Barboza, and many other true leaders in American bonsai they invited to Houston! And later as a business and life partners, Ken and his husband Chris adopted two wonderful daughters who kept them both very busy! But, about 5 years ago, when both their daughters graduated from high school and fled the nest, Ken wanted to renew his bonsai interest as a hobby to fill the void left by his kids. After a quick search on the internet, Ken attended his first Houston Bonsai Society meeting and quickly got involved as a board member to participate in the plethora of activities HBS offers. Ken absorbing every tip master David Nguy had to share Confident with the knowledge acquired from renowned American bonsai teachers, and at the encouragement of his first bonsai teacher, Hurley Johnson, Ken set

8 up a bonsai garden and supplies corner to provide many beautiful bonsai and pre-bonsai. He has developed a bonsai niche and helps lots of beginners with their bonsai tree care! January 19, 2015, Hurley of Timeless Trees Bonsai Nursery collaborated with Ken to add a bonsai garden to his Quality Feed & Garden thriving business. Does it seem to you that busy people are often luckier others? Ken seems to travel more extensively to study bonsai than most and receive many more awards and rewards than most as well. He did have to play a lot of raffles to win this award-winning literati styled by Matt Reel at LSBF convention in Kingwood. As the Publicity Director for HBS, Ken is tireless in his efforts to get the word out about our group. Currently he is focused on the advertising material for the upcoming 2019 LSBF/ABS/HBS convention and has put together a fantastic 6-page registration brochure that members will be receiving soon. He has also worked with Mayor Turner s office to get a proclamation written and signed to proclaim the opening day of the convention as a Day of Bonsai. The one thing we know for sure is that Ken is always thinking of more creative ways to promote the interests of HBS and the Art of Bonsai. Quality Feed s bonsai stock and pot collection has grown substantially by Spring 2018 Quality Feed s immense shaded yard and ample parking turned out to be a new happy gathering place for 20 to 30 HBS members to gather for Saturday Study Group. My dear Happy Ken, The more I know you, the more I am impressed and appreciative for the good work you have done since you join our HBS family. Most other members, especially the board members, have nothing but praises and appreciation for you. Mahatma Gandhi once said: We must be the change we wish to see in the world. Just within 4 or 5 short years, you have accomplished a lot of happy changes. For that, we bonsai lovers in Houston and I are eternally grateful. Keep up the great work, dear friend, for it will reward you a thousand fold. Shawn Nguyen Photographs shown in this article are contributions from Ken, Hurley, Scott, Anthony and Shawn.

9 2018 LSBF Traveling Artist Tyler Sherrod This year we are very fortunate to have Mr. Tyler Sherrod as the LSBF traveling artist. Tyler was born in Hickory, North Carolina. He attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he graduated in 2008, majoring in philosophy with a minor in cinema studies. After graduating from Tennessee he was introduced to Bonsai when he worked at the Bonsai Learning Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. After working at the Bonsai Learning Center for a year he attended several workshops with Boon Manakitivipart of Bonsai Boone in the Bay area of California. Boon assisted Tyler in gaining an apprenticeship with Shinji Suzuki in Obuse, Japan. Tyler left North Carolina and began his apprenticeship with Mr. Suzuki in Tyler's apprenticeship lasted for five years. In the Spring of 2016 Tyler received his professional certification from the Nippon Bonsai Association. While working under Mr. Suzuki, Tyler was able to work on a variety of coniferous and deciduous trees. He was responsible for refining the trees and preparing the trees to be entered in Japan's top bonsai competitions which included Kokufu-ten, Taikan-ten and Sakafu-Ten where several of the trees won top prizes. Tyler returned to North Carolina in June, 2016 and established Dogwood Studios. Tyler has traveled to Oregon, Washington and California working with Bonsai professionals in those locations and collecting trees. Tyler's goal is to elevate the level of Bonsai in America. He wants to celebrate the vast landscape of America and celebrate it by capturing the emotions of the changing landscape through Bonsai. Tyler will perform a demonstration for us on a nice Foemina Juniper that we got from Timeless Trees Bonsai Nursery. The demo will be held on Saturday, September 29th in the Fellowship Hall at St. Marks United Methodist Church, 600 Pecore, Houston TX, We will gather beginning at 2 PM, with the demo starting at 2:30 PM and continuing until 5:30 PM. After the demo is over we will raffle off the tree. Be sure to be there to see a great demonstration, plus a chance to win a tree that had its first styling by Tyler Sherrod. There is no cost to attend the demonstration, but raffle tickets will be sold for the demo tree. A Happy New Year photo from Tyler Sherrod s blog On Sunday, September 30 th, Tyler will do two Bring Your Own Tree workshops at Timeless Trees Bonsai Nursery & Studio, 2707 David St, Rosenberg, TX The morning workshop will run from 9 AM to 12 Noon and the afternoon workshop from 1:30 to 4:30PM. The cost of each workshop is only $25 per person, with no more than 10 places in each workshop. This is quite a bargain at only $25 to work with a renown artist. If you have more than one tree, Tyler will only be able to look at one of your trees on each round as he moves from person to person. Feel free to sign up for a spot in both the morning and afternoon sessions to get even more time with Tyler! You will be able to sign up for the workshops at the September HBS Club meeting. Please bring along either cash or check to pay at the meeting in order to hold your spot. You can contact Terry or tdubois1@comcast.net if you have any questions.

10 TIMELESS TREES 9 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Saturday September 1 9 AM 4 PM Come celebrate Timeless Trees Bonsai Nursery & Studio s 9 th Anniversary Celebration with Hurley Johnson, his family and staff, as well as all the Houston Bonsai Society bonsai buddies who helped set up this wonderful bonsai place for everyone s enjoyment. There will be demonstrations by the staff artists all day, many hourly door prizes giveaways, snacks and refreshments all day. Also enjoy 20% discount on all tropical bonsai and 10% discount on all tools and pots. A few steps down memory lane with Hurley, Ginger and Meredith tending to bonsai, Feeding artistic bonsai cupcakes to the crowd and the original dirty dozen founders You may be the lucky winners taking home a few special deals and door prizes. We all will have a lot of fun and perhaps a chance to visit with long time friends. Hurley Johnson 2707 David Street Rosenberg, Texas who all graduated from Pedro Morales school.

11 Calendar of Events 2018 SEP 1 Timeless Trees 9th Anniversary Sale, 9 AM - 4 PM, 20% off all tropicals, 10% discount on all tools and pots. Demonstrations, hourly door prizes, snacks and refreshments all day. SEP 1 Saturday Study Group at Maas Nursery, 5511 Todville Road, Seabrook, 9 AM 12 Noon. Free, refreshments provided. SEP 5 HBS meeting: Bonsai Soils with Scott Barboza SEP th U. S. National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester, NY at Total Sports Experience (TSE), 435 W. Commercial Street, East Rochester, NY See big announcement for details. SEP 15 Shohin club - Bring a nursery tree to start a Shohin with John Miller at Persimmon Hill Bonsai, Red Hawk Cove, Austin, TX. Contact Steven Hendricks at stevenhendricks@sbcglobal.net or SEP 15 Basic Bonsai #1 Class, Timeless Trees Nursery, 9AM - 1PM, 60 including a tree, a pot, soil, wire, hand-out, and a pair of scissors. - Focus on repotting the tree into a ceramic pot, and make initial branch selection. SEP Northwest Bonsai Rendezvous in Portland, OR More details at Northwest Bonsai Rendezvous SEP nd IBACB & IPCC (International Bonsai Art & Culture Biennial and International Penjing Creation Conference) in Canberra, Australia. SEP 29 LSBF Visiting artist Tyler Sherrod s demo (Dogwood Studio) at the Fellowship Hall of St. Marks United Methodist Church, 600 Pecore, Houston TX, 77009, from 2 5:30 PM. Demo tree will be raffled. SEP 30 Tyler Sherrod s BYOT workshops at Timeless Trees, Rosenberg. Morning session: 9-12 Noon. Afternoon session: 1:30 4:30PM. $25 for each session or $50 for both. Please sign up with Terry at the meeting. 6 th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester, NY at the Total Sports Experience (TSE), 435 W. Commercial St., East Rochester, NY Featuring Minoru Akiyama, Michael Ryan Bell, Bjorn Bjorholm, Enrique Castaño, Kora Dalager, David de Groot, David Easterbrook, Boon Manakitivipart, Larry & Nina Ragle, Kathy Shaner, Sean Smith, Suthin Sukosolvisit, Tony Tickle, and Peter Warren. Details at This US National Show is a wonderful event. Four trees from Houston were accepted for this show, after a very selective vetting process. Plan to join our group of 12 from Houston and a few more from Dallas - Fort Worth. Stop by and enjoy Phil s weekly bonsai show & sale, and a study group on Saturday morning, 8AM-12 Noon, at the Urban Harvest Eastside Farmers Market, 3000 Richmond. Make appointments to see pre-bonsai and large bonsai. OCT 3 HBS meeting: Bonsai Travelogue: A Tour of Penjing Gardens in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan with Hoe Chuah OCT 6 Saturday Study Group at Timeless Trees Nursery, 9 AM - 12 Noon. Free, refreshments provided.

12 Make sure you go to Timeless Trees website and subscribe to weekly Current Events to stay in the know. You can find the best gifts: Trees, pots, all sorts of bonsai supplies, soils of all kinds, tools and books for your bonsai lovers and yourself. Classes are offered every week-end. The rain has cooled the heat a bit at JRN II and tropicals, Asian exotics and ficuses are loving it. Indoor bonsai are at their prime, waiting to decorate your home. Arrangements of orchids and bromeliads for all occasions can be ordered year round. Check out fruit trees and bonsai supplies too. Quality Feed & Garden and Ken stand ready to help you with bonsai trees, basic tools, pots and soils like Akadama, Lava, Pumice, Kanuma, and Dr. Ken s Special Bonsai Soil mixes in 10 lb. & 50 lb. bags. Free Bonsai Study classes for HBS every 3 months. Ask for 10% HBS discount. 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. Weekly pottery classes are also available. Andrew Sankowski Oak Ridge Drive Direct (281) The Woodlands, TX Fax (281) andy@mossrockstudio.com Come stock up on bonsai soils, pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and other supplies. The plant doctor is always on duty, so bring your unhappy or unhealthy bonsai for a free check-up. Don t forget to ask for a 10% HBS discount. For high quality daizas for viewing stones, Suiseki, bonsai stands and Shoji screens in any shape, form, style, wood, dimensions and colors, please visit artist Jerry Braswell. Send him your designs and specifications for custom wood work. For more info:

13 Houston Bonsai Society, Inc. P. O. Box , Houston, Texas HBS Board Members President Pete Parker 1 st Vice President Scott Barboza in charge of Education 2 nd Vice President Hoe Chuah hoe.chuah@gmaill.com Secretary Maria Grissom pazitagrissom@yahoo.com Publicity Ken Cousino krcousino@yahoo.com Treasurer Eldon Branham elmo4635@aol.com in charge of Membership Webmaster Anthony Cutola acutola@gmail.com Member at Large - O Gale Childers f5gale@macconnect.com Member at Large - O James Kelly kurstyn.castillo@gmail.com Member at Large - O Ryan Vollert rmvnucks@gmail.com Member at Large E Sharon Barker barkersharonr48@gmail.com Member at Large - E Ray González raygonzalez47@yahoo.com Member at Large E Brian Gurrola bgurrola@gurrolareprographics.com Delegates Past President Hurley Johnson hurley@all-tex.net LSBF Delegate Terry Dubois tdubois1@comcast.net LSBF Alternate Pete Parker peteparkerbonsai@yahoo.com BCI Ambassador TTSBE Representative Alan Raymond amraymond@suddenlink.net Refreshments 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 $10 per month, and $75 per year (12 issues). A full-page ad is $50 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 HBS Board.