FOG CITY BONSAI August/September Fog City Bonsai

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1 Fog City Bonsai Newsletter of the Bonsai Society of San Francisco San Francisco County Fair Building, Lincoln Avenue ween 9th & 10th President s Message August is here and it s time to fertilize and keep watering carefully. The August 8 meeting will bring Peter Tea to San Francisco following his return from a bonsai apprenticeship in Japan. Peter will have plenty of information to share while demonstrating work on good bonsai material. On Saturday, August 10, club members will have the opportunity to participate in a workshop with Peter s instruction. Annual Auction by Bonsai Society San Francisco September 12, 2013 The annual BSSF Auction, featuring John Boyce as auctioneer, promises to be an evening filled with excitement. John is a founding member of BSSF and brings a wealth of knowledge of all things related to bonsai culture. John s approach to auctioneering is influenced by his greater role as a teacher in the club. All material that passes his podium gets a full vetting including development tips and background information on the species. So I would say to those of you just beginning your bonsai collections that this event is an excellent opportunity to expand your collection in a supportive environment and help perpetuate the activities of the Bonsai Society. All members are encouraged to donate at least one bonsai related item to this fundraiser. Proceeds provide support for our organization s programs. Pots, tools, books, stands and, of course, plants are all welcome contributions to this sale. This auction is a wonderful opportunity to clear excess material out of our bonsai collections while purchasing new material to advance our work. Bonsai that no longer excites the current owner may provide new inspiration for a successful bidder. In this event we have the potential for long time members to pass on good material to newer members and help perpetuate the club now going for over 50 years. We will start setting up at 6:30 with preview and refreshments at 7:00. The bidding will start at 7:30, so be there with cash or checks (no credit cards) ready to enjoy an entertaining evening. BSSF November Elections Annual elections will be held at our November meeting. Board members meet on the fourth Monday each month to plan programs, activities and functions and do so creatively and generously. There is always room and need for another voice and new ideas. The board is comprised of people from the general membership who share the same goals. The board always welcomes new members for the fresh ideas and stamina they bring which is essential to the continuance of the club. The current board would like to encourage more participation in this process. Meetings are brief, cordial and set our course for the future. Please consider joining our board. Just let one of our board members know that you can help out and you re on the November ballot. This is a good time to start thinking about which tree to prepare for our Spring Show, March 19 to 23, Bring your possibilities

2 President s Message Continued to the third Thursday workshops to get ideas about how to prepare for the show. Robert Smith Exclusive Peter Tea Bonsai Events August 8th -10th 2013 at BSSF Bonsai Society of San Francisco is proud to present a special program and workshop featuring bonsai superstar Peter Tea. Peter is a local bonsai professional who recently completed a 3-year apprenticeship at Aichi-en Bonsai Nursery in Nagoya, Japan under the guidance of award-winning bonsai master Junichiro Tanaka. Peter began his career in bonsai at the Midori Bonsai Club in the South Bay and then trained with bonsai celebrity Boon Manakitivipart before embarking on his training in Japan. Peter is also the author of the bonsai blog Peter Tea Bonsai (peterteabonsai.wordpress.com), which chronicles his adventures as an apprentice and provides great teaching on bonsai techniques, artistry, display, pottery and more. Peter is an exceptional teacher and bonsai show headliner. We are thrilled to host Peter Tea on the heels of his apprenticeship and as he begins what promises to be a spectacular career in bonsai. Japan. The evening will culminate with a raffle of the demonstration tree. This event is free and open to the public. Whether you are new to bonsai or a seasoned enthusiast, this event will stoke your bonsai passion. BSSF meets at the Hall of Flowers at Stybing Arboretum in Golden Gate Park. Saturday August 10th, 2013 at 12:00PM BSSF will host a special 3-hour workshop with Peter Tea. BSSF members can bring their own trees to work on with guidance from Peter Tea. Registration is limited and priority will be given to BSSF members. Contact James Frank, jfrankbonsai@gmail.com, if you are interested in attending, or sign up at a club meeting. The workshop will be held in the club meeting building (Hall of Flowers at Sybing Arboretum in Golden Gate Park). James Frank BSSF will host two events featuring bonsai professional Peter Tea. Thursday August 8th, 2013 at 7:30PM Peter Tea will conduct a bonsai demonstration and discuss bonsai care and techniques, as well as his experiences as an apprentice in Page 2

3 July 2013 TBK expounds on Saikei and Penjing Eric Schrader For our July general meeting BSSF guru Tim Kong presented a program on making saikei and penjing plantings. Tim used a variety of materials for the two plantings that he completed. Among them were small and large stones, Ezo Spruce, Chinese Juniper (commonly called Shimpaku in bonsai circles) Kingsville boxwood, and a host of small accent plants and varieties of moss. Saikei Planting, nearly complete. Tim adds moss to the side. Juniper foliage, the compact size makes it a good candidate for large and small bonsai alike. Tim explained that the stones should be interesting but not so eye-catching as to overwhelm the rest of the planting visually. For a Saikei, which was the shorter of the two plantings he arranged three smaller stones and stuck them in place with muck. The muck holds the stones in place inside the tray and can also act as a barrier to contain soil that is above the rim of the tray or inside a rock pocket. For the Penjing planting Tim used a larger rock that had more vertical character. The rock was cemented to the tray before the program began. Tim indicated that this was his preference for safety reasons. Tim anchored the Penjing planting with an Ezo Spruce that already had considerable age. The tree leaned slightly toward the rock on the right side of the planting and had visual flow in the same direction of the stone. Tim mentioned that the planting might have looked even better in a wider tray such that there would be more negative space on the left side. As the tree grows the branches growing to the left should be allowed to be slightly longer than the branches on the right to further enhance the flow of the tree. The top of the tree could also have subtle movement added to enhance the visual impact. Page 3

4 TBK expounds continued With the major elements placed, Tim works on accent plants and moss. The final touch was to use golden Decomposed Granite to represent water in the foreground Penjing planting from above Tim spoke briefly about the importance of perspective. When both plantings were complete he evaluated them and then did some modification to the Saikei. The foreground was covered in moss; citing a need for the illusion of depth, Tim removed a small patch of moss and added an irregular patch of light decomposed granite to represent a path or stream. This addition lead the eye into the middle of the planting more than when the moss was in that spot. Tim noted that the various types of moss he brought could also be used to artistic advantage. While covering the entire planting in a single type of moss might harmonize the planting, he emphasized that using different colors and textures was a way to enhance the sense of space and landscape feeling. The right side of the penjing planting showing the base of the Ezo Spruce with moss and accent plants Page 4

5 TBK expounds continued Ongoing care for a rock planting is slightly different than for a regular bonsai. Since the stones are attached to the tray in one of the plantings you cannot repot normally. Tim mentioned that repotting was not needed. Instead, in a few years as the tree begins to slow its growth you can renew parts of the planting by scraping out the soil (like you would in a bonsai that is planted on a slab) and replacing it with fresh soil. Trim crossing roots at this time; perform this on small sections of the planting over the course of a few years to replace all the soil. If the plants continue to suffer consider a change of container or pulling the elements apart to start over again. In San Francisco watering and care of a Saikei will depend slightly on your exact location and weather. Watch the planting after you make it to carefully observe how each plant is reacting to the change in conditions. If some accent plants suffer they are easily replaced. As with a bonsai, it is generally preferable to allow trees to dry out slightly before watering like a damp sponge that has just started to shrink there is still moisture but not a lot. If some plants included in the planting need more water consider planting them on the opposite side of the container. Because the tree is more difficult to replace than the accent plants prioritize the tree s health. BSSF Meetings and Workshops August 8, General Meeting Peter Tea Demonstration. Meeting starts at 7:30. August 15, Third Thursday Members Free Workshop. Stop by the Free Third Thursday Workshop. It begins at 7PM and is always an opportunity to learn something new for your trees. Bring a couple trees by the San Francisco County Fair Building and get free advice from advanced members of the club. September 12, General Meeting Annual Auction. Meeting starts at 7:30. September 19, Third Thursday Members Free Workshop. Stop by the Free Third Thursday Workshop. It begins at 7PM and is always an opportunity to learn something new for your trees. Bring a couple trees by the San Francisco County Fair Building and get free advice from advanced members of the club. October 10, General Meeting Bob Hilvers Demonstration. Meeting starts at 7:30. Your imagination is the limit with what you can do with a Saikei or Penjing. Let your own experience with nature guide your composition while relying on plants that are hardy and small-leaved to make up the individual elements. Add accent plants for more interest and figurines if you so desire. Page 5

6 Northern California Bonsai Events August 20, 2013: Ross, Marin Bonsai Club Annual Auction: 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Ross; Livermore Pavilion, 7 PM. Bonsai, pre-bonsai, pots, tools, and books. August 24 25, 2013: Santa Rosa, California Redwood Empire Bonsai Society (REBS): 30th annual show at the Santa Rosa Veterans building, 1351 Maple Ave. August 24th, from 10 AM 5 PM and August 25th from 10 AM 4 PM. Demonstrations both days at 1 PM by club sensei Kathy Shaner. Large exhibit of members trees, vendors sales room, members sales room, raffle and silent auction. Free admission, parking and treats. Contact Bob (707) or shimon@mcn.org October 25 26, 2013 Sacramento, California: Capital City Bonsai Association: Capital City Bonsai Association: 14th Anniversary Show to support the GSBF Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt and the Sacramento bonsai clubs. Location is the Shepard Garden and Arts Center, 3330 McKinley Blvd. Show hours are Saturday, 10AM-5PM and Sunday, 10AM- 4PM. Demonstration each day at 1:30PM by sponsor clubs with bonsai benefit drawings to follow. Vendor and club member sales available. For more information contact Gary Judd at October 19-20, 2013 Union City California: Yamato Bonsai Kai: Annual Show at Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church Alvarado-Niles Road. Hours: Noon to 7Pm Saturday & 10 AM to 5 PM Sunday. Demonstration each day at 2Pm by Johnny Uchida. Special Guest David Nguy will join in the demonstration on Saturday (only)! Free admission and parking. Benefit raffle drawing each day after the demo, dinner Saturday evening from 5PM to 6PM and Sunday Morning workshop available. Large Vender and Plant Sale area. For more information call Tony Hayworth at oryamatobonsai.org. Fog City Bonsai Newsletter Deadline The deadline for the Fog City Bonsai Newsletter is the 3rd Saturday of the month. You can submit articles, photos to: spiatanesi@att.net. Page 6

7 BSSF Announcements 2013 Board Members and Officers President: Vice President: Treasurer: Secretary: Newsletter Editor: Librarian: Robert Smith James Frank Daryl Quijano Diana Lum Scott Piatanesi Bernard Marque Board Members at Large: Tim Kong, Rachmael Ben-Avram, Gerard Lespinette,. Past President: John Edwards. BSSF General meetings are on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:30PM. The members workshop is the following Thursday ( 3rd Thursday of the month) at 7:00PM. BSSF Board Meetings are held on the 4th Monday at 7:00PM. All of the meetings occur at the San Francisco County Fair Building, on Lincoln Way, between Ninth Ave and Tenth Ave. Enter through the parking lot at Tenth Ave and Lincoln and walk along sidewalk behind the building to the doorway to the garden club meeting room. Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt The GSBF collection in Oakland needs volunteers to be docents on every 3rd Saturday afternoon in each month. It is a fun and educational opportunity for all bonsai hobbyists. No matter your skill level, you can help care for these wonderful trees and educate the public about the art of bonsai. Please sign up at a meeting, check the docent calendar at bonsai.org/lake-merritt/ NewDocent.htm or call Kay Hardy at (952) Membership Dues 2013 membership fees are $30 for individuals, $50 for families and $20 for seniors. Bonsai Sales at Monthly Meetings Please remember that any time during the year you wish to sell bonsai trees, the BSSF welcomes you to bring the trees to our monthly meetings or workshops. The club will receive 20% of the purchase price. BSSF Bonsai Library The BSSF has on hand a large assortment of books, magazines, and other literature about our favorite hobby. To access the library, arrive early at either the monthly meeting or the monthly workshop and speak to Bernard Marque. Checking out materials requires a $5 deposit per item. Page 7