THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE. Canberra Bonsai Society inc. Website: PO Box 800 Woden ACT October 2009

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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. Hi It seems rather strange not having the Bonsai Show at Ainslie Arts Centre this year. The committee have arranged an event that should make for a great day. I certainly feel excited about the Bonsai Fair that has been organized in its place. Having a number of members working on trees at the same time should be very appealing. This format will allow you to watch one demonstration or to wander between demonstrations and take in elements of a number of the demonstrations. There will be sales of pots, plants and all things bonsai, so it should be great. Due to space limitations beginners won t be able to display their trees. The Ledanta Bonsai Award for beginners has been moved to Show and Tell at the November meeting. We will have a section for beginners to display their trees. Leigh will judge the winner from those trees. Please read the Ledanta Bonsai Award rules (p7) to see if you qualify. You should take advantage of the extra time to have your trees in prime condition. It has been a few years since I visited the Goulburn Bonsai Society Exhibition and with some extra time on my hands I hope to make it to their show this year. Remember the dates are the 3rd and 4th of October. The venue is the CWA Rooms cnr Montague & Sloane Sts. Goulburn Editor October 2009 President s report October 2009 We have an exciting range of activities planned for our Bonsai Fair on 10 th October. We want this to be a special event for club members as much as for the public, so I hope everyone can attend for at least part of the day and participate in some way. At the very least you will be able to see your fellow members applying a variety of bonsai techniques as they work on their own trees. Leigh Taafe, Joe M and Tom C were our Floriade demonstrators this year. In a change from previous years, we did not put on a club display and the demonstrations were on weekdays. This seems to have worked well for us, requiring fewer people hours to set up and supervise and still good, if not better, audiences. More good news most, if not all, the trees used for the demonstrations will be raffled at meetings in Inside Wirrabara (Continued on page 2) Presidents Report page 1,2 Bonsai Fair page 3 Goulburn Dig page 4, 5 CBS at Floriade page 6 Ledanta Award page 7 FTWB page 8 Calendar of Events page 9 1

2 (Continued from page 1) 2010 when they have had time to settle in to their new pots. Keep working on those trees you were planning to enter in the beginner s section at the show. The Ledanta Bonsai Award will be judged at our November meeting. A section of our Show and Tell display will be set aside for eligible trees, so if you have been doing bonsai for less than five years, please bring a tree along to the November meeting to be eligible for the prize. Eligibility criteria are included later in this newsletter. From all reports, the recent digs at Goulburn and Dairy Farmers Hill have provided some excellent material for future work. I hope to see some at Show and Tell in a year or so. The National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia is once again bringing a lot of pleasure to Floriade visitors. I can t imagine that I would ever tire of seeing the looks on visitors faces as they walk into the pavilion not knowing what to expect and break into smiles and exclamations of surprise and delight when they see the display. Our members have responded very strongly to the need for extra guides during this period and this is much appreciated by all concerned. Although the Bonsai Fair is not our show, we are still having our traditional Saturday night supper and demonstration for members and their guests, however there will be no invited guests this year. Bring along some food to share and the club provides wine and soft drink. There are limited heating facilities, so please bring something that does not require heating. The sales tables will again provide a great choice of stock from starters to more advanced, semi-styled material and potted bonsai. I am expecting a good range and suggest coming early if you are looking for something special. I am looking forward to this new format and depending on feedback from members may look to incorporate some features into future shows or into our regular meetings. See you at the Fair. Ruth EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Public Officer Ruth Phone: (02) Executive Committee Members Secretary Mike W Phone (02) Treasurer Allan Read 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 Neville H Phone: Membership Officer Peter G Phone (02) Newsletter Mailing Kenn B Phone: Administrative Officer Fay B Phone (02)

3 CBS BONSAI FAIR PRACTICES & PROCEDURES This year we won t be holding our traditional display of bonsai but instead we will be holding a Bonsai Fair on Saturday 10 October at the Hughes Community Centre (our usual monthly meeting venue). We have produced a small advertising flyer which is being handed out at Floriade and the NBPCA. If you would like a.pdf version to place on your work electronic notice board you can download a copy from the cbs.org.au website. FAIR DAY FORMAT The Fair Day will open to the public from 10:00am until 4:30pm. During the day there will be continuous bonsai activities happening both in the main hall and in the Room opposite. Leigh Taafe from Ledanta Bonsai and Pat Kennedy from Mirkwood Bonsai Pottery will be selling their wares from sales tables in the main hall. Also, the Club Sales Table will be operating selling a range of starter plants, finished bonsai etc. Due to space limitations, we will not be having a full display of members trees. Instead, the Executive have approached several members to provide trees which will showcase a variety of bonsai styles this will allow the public to view a small but varied array of bonsai which will showcase a good selection of bonsai styles. There will be tea/coffee available for members but as we are limited for space the Café Callistemon won t be operating. However, there is the fabulous bakery and coffee shop just next door in the Hughes shopping centre for lunch etc. VOLUNTEERS We will set-up the hall with tables, chairs and the bonsai display commencing at 8:00am on Saturday morning and will open the doors to the public at 10:00am. We would appreciate volunteers throughout the day to assist with the set up, to be on duty at the entry desk we will charge a gold coin donation for entry, and will have our usual raffle with 3 prizes of a bonsai, a pot and a book. We will also need stewards to help at the Club Sales Table and to assist the public at the bonsai clinic table. CLUB SALES TABLE Members can bring along plants, bonsai, starters, etc to sell on the Club Sales Table. If you are selling items please download a Sales Register form from the cbs.org.au website. We will also have spare forms at Hughes on the day. Please fill in the forms one line per item and mark the sale price for each in whole dollars only no cents. Ensure that you put two paddlepop sticks with your name code, item price and plant/item name written on them with each sale item. One paddlepop stick stays with the item when it is sold and the second paddlepop stick is used to reconcile amounts to be paid to you less the Club s 10% sale commission. SATURDAY NIGHT SUPPER & DEMO Once the Fair is closed to the public at 4:30pm on Saturday we will set-up for our 'members supper commencing at 6:00pm. Each member is asked to bring a plate of something sweet or savoury to share with others, while the Society will provide red, white and sparkling wine as well as orange juice and soft drinks. Tea and coffee will also be available. To help the catering set up, please fill in the Saturday Supper sheet (on the cbs website) and don t forget to let us know if you will be bringing a partner. This year s guest demonstrator is Lee Wilson, of Artist Tree Bonsai Nursery, Sydney and also President of AABC, and his demonstration promises to be both entertaining and informative. The demonstration will start at 7:00pm ANY QUESTIONS?? Thanks for your cooperation and support. Any questions regarding Fair procedures, volunteering etc can be directed to Jim M, Frank K or Mike W. BONSAI FAIR WINE ORDERS Once again members will have the opportunity to place orders for the wine we will provide at the Fair supper. Orders will be taken on the night and at the November meeting for delivery at the December Xmas party meeting. Wines are priced at $9 per bottle or $100 per dozen (incl. mixed dozen lots). Tawny Port, is also available at $12 per bottle. 3

4 Goulburn Dig The weather forecast was middling showers, 10 degrees and westerly winds, easing. But this is Goulburn. It is said that previous diggers at this time of year experienced snow! On the bright side, the ground would probably be soft given that this was at the end of a short few days of rain or showers. We met at Macca s on the south side at 10 am to form a convoy to the dig site. The Canberra contingent numbered about a dozen far outnumbering the Goulburn and other visiting club members. A short drive later and we were in a paddock full of quite large hawthorn 2 and 3 metres tall. car. I noted that mine was the smallest specimen so, after a quick lunch and closer inspection of the other collected trees discussing their virtues and possible fronts, I headed out again to get something more competitive and closer. The trees were just budding up ready to flower small pink tips appearing just right for transplanting. It was hard to find something small to dig. Undaunted, with eyes wide open and sun shining people spread in all directions looking for accessible and desirable specimens. After some time, people were returning to the parking spot with their prizes. I walked too far looking apparent to me as I lugged my specimen (with good root ball) and tools back to the 4 Ledanta Bonsai Nursery 6 Louat Place Evatt ACT Saturday - Sunday 10am 4pm Weekdays by appointment Bonsai Focus Magazines $13 each For CBS Members only All Bonsai Requirements Stock Trees Tools & Wire Pots & Trays Hire Available Servicing & Classes Minding Service Phone:

5 The trees were quite easy to dig as the ground was fairly moist and free of stones. A mattock was pretty effective at cutting the roots and lifting the trees with a good root ball. I noticed that the Goulburn club members in attendance kept their mattocks concealed or they kept one hand on them at all times. I wonder why that was We dug until the cows came home, as can be seen in the pictures. I think that a number will allow the larger carving implements to be exercised. Thanks very much to the Goulburn crew for inviting us along to their dig - there are some very satisfied ACT bonsai enthusiasts as a result. Mike. Grant with his first dig tree I d guess that there are about 30 more potential hawthorn bonsai in the Canberra district. On arriving home there were several hours (in my case anyway) tidying up the tree by cutting back large roots, removing clearly inappropriate branches sealing cuts and potting in training containers where they will remain for several years. While it might be more than a few years before we see them in displays, they should begin to turn up at workshops and meetings in a couple of years as their styling begins in earnest. 5

6 Floriade Demonstrations Joe did one of the demonstrations at Floriade using a shimpaku juniper. He was ably assisted by Lorraine. The weekday format worked well with all the demonstrations being well attended. Here are some photos from Joe s demonstration. Joe bending trunk, ably assisted by Lorraine. Demonstration tree potted but not completed due to time constraints. I believe Joe intends to put some more bends into the straight part of the trunk. 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 BONSAI FAIR PROGRAM In the Hall Sales - Ledanta Bonsai Nursery - Mirkwood Forest Pottery (is Pat Kennedy) - Club Bonsai Clinic Display Continuous demonstration In Room 3 Continuous demonstration/workshop activity LEDANTA BONSAI AWARD The Ledanta Bonsai Award will be presented to the artist with the best Bonsai in the beginners category, and is sponsored by Leigh Taafe of the Ledanta Bonsai Nursery. It is designed to encourage members with limited bonsai experience to display their bonsai at the show. To qualify for the award: The artist must have had no more than 5 years experience in bonsai. The tree must have been trained for no more than 2 years, and be in a bonsai pot. The tree should have been styled from nursery stock, collected material or from another source, but must have had no previous training, styling or any bonsai techniques used on it prior to being acquired. Trees styled at workshops with experienced bonsai artists do not qualify. Wire on the tree is permissible. The winner of the Award will receive an open order for $100 from the Ledanta Bonsai Nursery, as well as a certificate. The judging will be by Leigh Taafe, and his decision is final. Magnificent display of blooms at Floriade 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 Newsletter, October 2009 From The Workbench Nearly all of your bonsai will have new growth by now. You should keep the bonsai in a sunny spot, preferably morning sun where there is good air circulation. Because your trees will grow toward the sunlight, be sure to rotate your trees often to ensure even growth. A friend of mine will rotate his a quarter turn every time he waters. It is hard to judge when to water during spring. We are almost watering every day here at the nursery, however, you should be guided by your tree, if it is already wet don t water it. There are so many factors that will influence the rate at which your bonsai will dry out. Don t just consider the weather, how hot it is, how windy it is, whether it has rained or not. Also consider each trees requirements. Some of your trees will use their water a lot faster than others. Deciduous trees that are in leaf will use water quite fast through spring, some even more so than others, take the crabapple for instance once in foliage, it will use moisture in the pot very quickly. Junipers, pines and the like will not consume water fast nor does it matter if they get a little dry (not for too long though). Another factor may be how pot bound your tree is. A tree freshly repotted will not dry out as fast as one that is in dire need of repotting. Weeds in the pot will also use a lot of water (best to keep them out anyway). So, all this considered, it is best to check all of your trees everyday, and water accordingly. If dry water, if wet leave it to dry, or your tree may suffer rot problems. Pruning will be your biggest job during this month. Keep nipping back the new growth on your deciduous trees to about 2 or 3 nodes. This will ensure you keep the foliage nice and compact, the nodes closer together, and as a result smaller foliage. Don t forget your candle snapping on your pines. Pines still in development should have the dominant candles snapped from the top of the tree first, and the dominant candles on the lower branches left on. Pinch prune your junipers to maintain tight compact foliage close to the trunk otherwise they get too gangly. Repotting of conifers, junipers, broad-leaved evergreens should continue through this month. Be sure to be guided by the tree as to when it is ready for repotting, remember to look for signs of the tree moving out of dormancy. When repotting a pine be sure to keep some of the white fungus from the old soil and mix it with the new. This mycorrhiza forms a symbiotic relationship with the tree they rely on each other to remain healthy. Try adding more gravel, or better still, Zeolite, to your soils for potting junipers and conifers. Pop some Osmocote in the mix as well. Watch how healthy your trees become! October is a great month to do any jins and shari as the tree will heal fast, be sure to apply lime sulphur once the wood has dried. Fertilising should start now, in order to give your trees enough energy to continue to grow. A fertilizer high in nitrogen is appropriate. Once your deciduous trees have fully leafed out and the foliage has hardened, begin to fertilise. Remember, your trees will grow at this point, we fertilise to allow our trees to do this better. Grafting can be done on any late spring sprouting deciduous trees, be sure to seal your graft properly with grafting paste. Spring is a great time for pests around your bonsai. Aphids love fleshy new growth, and can multiply in population before your eyes. Use Confidor to control pests such as aphids, be sure to dilute any pesticide on delicate foliage. There are many alternatives to common pesticides, one for aphids is soapy water. Keep an eye on your trees for any visible pests and keep your benches and work areas clean. See you all at the Bonsai Fair!! Ledanta Bonsai Nursery ledanta@grapevine.com.au 8

9 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 10 October CBS EVENTS 2009 Bonsai Fair on Saturday 10 October at the Hughes Community Centre Display of many bonsai styles Multiple bonsai demonstrations Sales by Ledanta Bonsai, Pat Kennedy pots plus club member sales Meeting dates 10 October 7 November 5 December 3-4 October October OTHER EVENTS Goulburn Bonsai Society Exhibition at CWA Rooms, cnr Montague & Sloane Sts. Goulburn School of Bonsai Exhibition at Ray Nesci s bonsai nursery at Sagars Rd Kenthurst October 1 November 1 November Newcastle Bonsai Society Annual Show Club Macquarie, Lake Rd. Argenton BONSAI SPECTACULAR Featuring English Bonsai Master & Nurseryman John Hanby at Manly Warringah Leagues Club 563 Pittwater Road Brookvale NSW 9

10 WIRRABARA Official Newsletter of the CANBERRA BONSAI SOCIETY Inc PO Box 800 WODEN ACT 2606 POSTAGE PAID AUSTRALIA 10