Our next meeting will be March 24 th 1.PM

A Member of The Bonsai Federation of Australia Inc. Association of Australian Bonsai Clubs Ltd. Garden Clubs of Australia Inc. Newsletter No:102 March-April. 2018 Meetings held on the 4 th Saturday of the month at Forest Community Arts Centre, Darley Street, Forestville, commencing 1.00pm President s Report Our next meeting will be March 24 th 1.PM Our year started off on the long weekend in January with a well attended meeting, most members bringing their figs to work on and an interesting and informative talk from Megumi our Patron. We are very fortunate to have Megumi attend our monthly meetings and give very generously of her advice when required. The following week she flew off to India to give a demonstration there. February 24th will be a meeting devoted to Australian natives with a talk by Doug Harris who has been so interesting to listen to in past years. He is happy to critique all our trees so bring along a native and receive some good advice. There will be some Native Bonsai starters available for purchase. In March Barry has agreed to help anyone who would like to do a graft on a tree so if you have a particular plant which is suitable bring it along and receive some help from Barry. There will also be an opportunity to bring along a problem tree for Alex to give a diagnosis. In April one of our very experienced members, Jodie Brough will give us a talk/q and A on Junipers. On 8th April The Bonsai Federation of Australia will hold a Bonsai Spectacular exhibition at which there will be a display of excellent bonsai and an opportunity to buy or sell bonsai and bonsai products. Our club is a member of this organisation so our members are eligible to participate. Please see the attached Information sheet. On August 25th we will again hold our Annual Bonsai show. This year we have been able to hire three rooms at the Forest Arts Centre and so will stage a larger exhibition than last year with an interesting program. Please put this date in your diary and start thinking of which tree you can display. We will need the support of all our members to make this a memorable event for us all. If you have not yet paid your membership fees please do so as soon as possible. Complete the form attached to this newletter and send it to the treasurer at the address on the form together with a cheque. If you wish to pay by direct debit you may do this but we would still like to receive your form by mail to the treasurer or hand in at our next meeting. There are a lot of interesting events taking place this year so check out the Dates for you Diary section of the newsletter in case you are able to take part in any of these. Thankyou and cheers Jacki Gracey Bonsai Society of Sydney -www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 102-Page 1

LIBRARY NOTES Don t forget to bring back your library books to our next meeting so that others can borrow them. There are many magazines and books to choose from in our new cupboard. E.G. Bonsai Today Master Series on Black Pines ( a wonderful help with understanding the intricacies of Black Pines) Bonsai Design Japanese Maples ( an excellent treatise on Maples as bonsai) There are a lot of interesting events taking place this year so check out the Dates for you Diary section of the newsletter in case you are able to take part in any of these. Thankyou and cheers Jacki gracey The Arboretum book ( this is a wonderful book on the planning of the arboretum in Canberra and the beautiful trees planted there) Every two months the club receives the latest Bonsai Focus magazine which keeps us up with the latest bonsai news in Europe and America. They make great reading as well as containing some good advice. Please ask Jacki Gracey or Kerry Diakos if you need help with borrowing. Please check if you have any library books from the club and return them at the next meeting. Dates of interest AABC national Convention Melbourne 20-23 July 2018 Bonsai Society of Sydney-www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 102-Page 2

January 2018 meeting Talk by Megumi Subject : 4 unusual figs Figs are some of the oldest trees in the world, up to 54 million years. The flowers of the fig form around the inside of the fig fruit(syconia) where they are fertilized by small wasps who live in the fruit of the fig supporting the life of the fig as the fig supports the life of the wasp. There are 43 species of fig in Australia,of which 15 grow in the NT, 34 in Qld, 14 in WA 8 in NSW and 1 in Victoria. The largest of these is the Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) and the smallest, a new discovery in the NT is the Lilliput fig (Ficus lilliputiana ) - only 50cm in height. Megumi showed us a Ficus scobina. (Sandpaper fig- Fig1) The sandpaper fig likes to be trimmed, is good material for bonsai so tip pruning is essential. It has a slender trunk and no aerial roots. Next was Ficus destruens. ( Fig.2 ) This is the strangler fig of Queensland. This fig grows well in full to half day sun. Its glossy green leaf is large and leathery. The upper leaf and underside is light brown and soft hairs appear in the growing season. Tip pruning encourages compact growth and wiring should be done when branches and trunk are pliable. However there are no wasps in the fruit of the edible fig so we do not need to worry when we eat these. Fig.2 Fig. 1 Ficus fraseri ( Fig.3 )is the NSW Sandpaper fig which is found in both NSW and Qld. It is slow growing but loves pruning. This fig is somewhat similar to Ficus coronatia. Both have the common Bonsai Society of Sydney -www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 102-Page 3

name of Sandpaper fig. This fig has a softer sandpaper leaf than Ficus coronata. Frasers fig is suitable for growing as bonsai. Megumi s Bonsai Classes - 2018 Schedule for the experienced students Class A. 1st Saturday each month. 10 lessons (Feb.- Nov.) * 2 hours lessons: Class 1: 9 am. - 11 am. Class 2: 11.30 am.- 1.30 pm. Class 3: 2 pm. - 4 pm. *2.5 hours lessons: Class 4: 9 am. - 11.30 am. Class 5: 12 pm - 2.30 pm. Fig.3 Class B. 2nd Saturday each month. 10 lessons (Feb.- Nov.) * 2 hours lessons: Class 6: Same as 1st Saturday. * 2.5 hours lessons: Class 7: Same as 1st Saturday. Class C. 3rd Sunday each month. 10 lessons (Feb.- Nov.) * 2 hours lessons: Class 8: Same as 1st Saturday. * 2.5 hours lessons: Class 9: Same as 1st Saturday. Fig.4 Class D. 3rd Wednesday each month. 10 lessons (Feb. - Nov.) * 2 hours lesson only: Class 10: 9. 30 am. - 11.30 am Class E. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Monday each month. (Feb.- Dec.) * 2 hours lessons only: Class 11: 9.30 am. - 11.30 am. Class 12: 12.00 pm - 2.00 pm NOTE: If you miss your regular class(es), you can substitute to your suitable class(es) during lesson time. Megumi will be overseas from 29th January until 14th February 2018. Port Jackson fig - ( Fig.4 ) Megumi showed us an unusual planting which was grown from the aerial roots being planted together with the branch and leaves before removing the rest of the tree. Megumi named this style Aerial Roots -Trunk style ***** Only the following Classes change: 1st Saturday, the 3rd of February will be held on 17th February time tables are the same. And 2nd Saturday, the 10th of February Class will be held on 24th of February. BUT ONLY 9 am until 12 pm. Due to BSS meeting from 1 pm. Monday class will commence on 19th February. Bonsai Society of Sydney -www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 102-Page 4

Autumn Bonsai and Penjing Expo Sunday, 8th April, 2018 Information for Exhibitors/Sellers What is this Expo about? This Expo will showcase some of the very best Bonsai and Penjing from in and around the Sydney area. As many as 40-50 bonsai will make up the formal Display area and many of these bonsai will be for sale. There will also be a General Sales area where a range of bonsairelated goods will be available. Also, a Help Desk will operate for members of the public to get free bonsai advice and assistance. The Autumn Bonsai & Penjing Expo is being conducted in partnership with the Australian Koi Association. They will be holding their 37th Annual Show alongside the Expo and entry to their Show is also free. Venue? The Venue is the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Saxony Road, Horsley Park. All access to this venue is via Wallgrove Road and is very-well signposted. The Expo is being conducted on the Concourse in front and around the main Exhibition and Office area. As we all know, indoor venues can be challenging in terms of getting trees in and out, lighting is often problematic and space usually limited. Outdoor venues expose us to the risk of rain, heat and sun. Not here. The best of both options with easy access, plenty of natural light, all under-cover of a high roof that even has lighting. This is an Olympic standard venue with facilities to match. How does the Display Area work. We will have enough display space for 40-50 bonsai or penjing. All Display trees must be in display condition and presentation. You do not have to sell your Display tree - it can just be for display. However, if you do want to sell your tree, then you will need to bring your own For Sale sign, enough cash to make change, etc, whatever you might need to make the sale. At the end of the day, sellers will be charged by Bonsai Federation Australia a 10% commission on the total value of sales. If you don t sell anything - there will be no charge. How does the Selling Area work. The General Sales area will consist of a number of tables where sellers can offer bonsai-related goods. Sellers will need to price and sell their own goods and, again, Bonsai Society of Sydney-www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 102-Page 5

will owe Bonsai Federation of Australia a 10% commission on the total value of sales. How do I register to display/sell my bonsai or sell in the General Sales area. It s easy! Just send an email with the subject Expo Display/Sell to allan.j.harding@gmail.com or ring him on 0413 026 960. Just let him know how many places you would like in the Display area. Let him know also if you want space in the General Sales area. How many display/sell spaces (entries) can I have? Ask for as many as you need but we will be sharing the available space among all those who are interested so you may not get as much space as you ask for. We will do our very best to accommodate everyone. What is the closing date for entries? The closing date for entries is 5pm on Sunday, 1st April, 2018. What happens then? You will be advised by email or phone by no later than 5pm on Monday, 2nd April 2018 as to how many display spaces have been allocated to you. On the Day of the Expo Organisers will be on site from 7.00am on the day to assist so you can arrive after that time but you must arrive in time to unload before 9.00am. All entry into the Sydney Equestrian Centre is off Wallgrove Road and is very-well signposted. When you enter the facility drive up to the main building where the Expo will take place. Organisers will direct you to the exhibit/sale positions which have been allocated to you. After your trees have been placed in their allocated positions you will need to move your vehicle to the nearby parking area. We will drop the rope and allow the public to come into the Expo right on 9.00am. XXXXXXXX Dates of interest Australian Plants as Bonsai Symposium March 17 th 18 th Australian National Botanic Gardens Canberra Bonsai week at NBPCA Canberra March 19 th to 25th BFA exhibition and Bonsai sale April 8 th Illawarra Bonsai Soc Annual Show May 5 th 6 th AABC national Convention Melbourne July 2018 Bonsai Society of Sydney -www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 102-Page 6

Diary Dates for 2018 January 27 th Fig talk and workshop with Megumi February 24 th Natives with Doug Harris - Bring a tree to receive a critique from Doug Honorary Patron President Vice-President List of Committee Members Megumi (B) Jackie Gracey Barry Reeve 0423 763 506 bonsaiart@ megumibennettbonsai.com 0408 440 643 ljgracey@bigpond.net.au bmreeve@optunet.com.au March 24 th Grafting with Barry. Problem trees with Alex April 28 th May 26 th be decided Junipers with Jodie Demonstration to Treasurer Secretary Newsletter editor Committeee Glenda Wong Alex Bennett Ross Chater Valerie Bray 0408 025 380 gwfreshcanvas@hotmail.com 0401 275 313 alexbe.415@gmail.com 0438 767 866 rostom_chater@optusnet.com.au August 25 th Show Annual Bonsai Committeee Di Cox Committeee Keith Gallie Our next meeting will be March 24 th 1.PM Please check if you have any library books from the club and return them at the next meeting. Check out the following magazines for items of interest Bonsai Society of Sydney -www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 102-Page 7

Seasonal notes December 2017-January 2018 By: Alex Bennett Late summer/ Early Autumn care It s been a rather hot summer that we have had and not much rain. At this time of writing, it has felt cooler. However, we still need to keep up with the watering. As the trees wake up from their summer dormancy you may notice the bugs also become active. Caterpillars, Scale and Mites are some of the more common pests. A common issue I get at the nursery is that people are not watering the leaves at the same time as the soil. It seems the bugs love it when they are not been sprayed with water. People who live in high density environments or near major roads are finding the leaves being blocked up by dust and particulates from cars. Some trees have a real chance to get root rot especially if you notice the soil going black. The trouble is first recognizing your tree has root rot. When repotting, you may need to wash the old soil with your hose on jet. It is an advanced technique and can be risky for inexperienced people due to the inability to recognize the problem is to do with the roots or whether it s sick from another external issue. Also how much of the old soil needs to be removed. Watering Although the leaves are not growing as actively, the roots are still actively growing and are very busy absorbing water to keep the plant in good condition. So it is important that the soil remains moist at all times. At this time of year the days are still quite warm but the nights are becoming cooler. These weather changes may affect how often you need to water your plants. So watch your trees closely, and if you re not sure that your trees needs water, water it anyway. Just remember the tree will only ever receive water from two sources the sky or your watering can. So when you do water; water it well. Re-potting At this time of year, you can still be re-potting all natives and tropical trees safely. It is still a bit, too hot to be re-potting your pines yet. If you missed the repotting last spring from march is the time to repot or think about. Generally the issue becomes more pronounced about now. Signs include soil not drying out. You can put you finger into the root ball of the tree with no resistance. Tree is not responding from fertilising or soil feels like mud. Bugs are attacking your tree (ie Scale). Bugs do like to attack weakened trees. You can start re-potting your deciduous trees now. However the amount of roots you cut off will be dependent on how early in the season you wish to start. Deciduous trees Trim away any leaves that have been burnt during the hot days of summer.dont cut off the healthy leaves.if some of your trees have become overgrown and out of shape during summer, be patient and wait until march. Then you can cut them back and soft wire the branches to restore their shape. Note: soft wire is when you wire only the branches that need shaping. Conifers Continued on page 9 With your conifers such as shimpaku keep pinching back the tips and remove any dead foliage with your fingertips. By cleaning up the dead and yellowing foliage you will let more light in. this will keep the Bonsai Society of Sydney -www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 102-Page 8

branches stong and prevent insects and nesting in the dead areas. If need be, if you have any wire still on the tree from the previous year it is now the time to remove it. The branches are thickening and you don t want the wire to cut in. Pest and disease Azalea lace bug. Insects are small black shiny bugs whilst in descript their damage is not. They sit very close to the veins of the leaves. Attacks azaleas and may attack maples occasionally. The damage on the leaves is silvery grey and speckled. Improper diagnosis of pest and disease can cause more damage than good. I will give you a rundown of the more common pests and how to treat them. Scale Usually small, can black white brown pink. They can be hard shelled or soft shelled. Isolated they appear to do little damage. But in colonies, they cause discolouration; black sooty mould greying of leaves; and ants can be seen feeding on them. Pest oil or eco oil are the best product. Avoid using on days of heat and read the instructions before use. Using confidor tablets are a great low invasive way to treat scale and a great alternative to spraying. Confidor tablets or Bug killas is the most effective. However due to their quick breeding nature. It is best to treat as soon as you see infection. Mealy bug Small, white and fluffy can attack the leaves and needles of pines and very stubborn to remove. Mealy bugs can also attack the roots. These particular ones are extremely hard to notice until you re-pot your tree. There are two ways I treat them. One, remove all soil using water on a jet spray and a pair of chopsticks. Two, purchase a Confidor concentrate specific to dilute and water into the roots or confidor tablet or eco oil is effective against mealy bug, ***** Bonsai Society of Sydney -www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 102-Page 9

Bonsai Society of Sydney -www.bonsaisocietysydney.org.au Newsletter 102-Page 10