THE TWIG Bring your own bonsai to work on AND Share Your Ideas and Knowledge July 26 at Albany County Cooperative Extension Voorheesville NY at Noon Since No one signed up to host July, please bring your own lunch too!! After we had so much fun last summer with this event, we are doing a repeat. Bring a tree to two or more to work on. Bring your tools, wire and turntable. Bring a plastic sheet or box to keep your messes under under control. Be prepared to work and to consult. Ask for help. Give help. All in all it will be a day of sharing our bonsai knowledge and give us all a day of working on our bonsai!! Don t forget to bring some bonsai to show off on the show table. There is a box of prizes for the raffle too!!! Alan Tallman sent in these photos from the wonderful 2 days of Ted Matson These are before and after pictures of the Itoigawa Shimpaku Juniper Ted styled on Saturday.! PAGE 1
Images from the workshops. Over 16 bonsai were created with Ted s help during our two days of workshops. 14 people worked with Ted for one or two days. Many others came as silent observers. Everyone learned a lot from the workshops and from the two demonstrations.! PAGE 2
Air Layering a Japanese Maple as done by Ted Matson by Pauline Muth with photographs by Alan Tallman Ted surveys the Japanese Maple: What have I gotten myself into? But the master is not deterred. He will not create one bonsai but two! First Ted trims the tree looking for the best design for the two creations The lower half of the tree will become a semi cascade.---------------> plant in bonsai medium. Mike Curthoys was the winner of these two bonsai!! The upper portion is trimmed <--and branches are selected. Once this is complete, the trunk is prepared for the air layer by attaching plastic with wire. Ted likes to do this before cutting off the bark and cambium so that he will be immediately ready to encase the cut in sphagnum moss after cutting. Once the plastic is secured----> below the area of the bottom cut, a strip of bark and cambium is sharply cut. Cut the lower line first and then the upper line. Brush rooting hormone like Hormodin# 3 in the upper cut. Fill the plastic with damp moss to a width equal on all sides to the diameter of the trunk and seal the plastic over the whole cut with a wire. Keep the moss damp. Seal wounds. After roots are developed, saw the new tree off the base and carefully! PAGE 3
Since I get newsletters from all over, sometimes it is best just to pass on articles I think you would enjoy or use or start a discussion with rather than writing them. Below are articles from the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society Newsletter edited by George Buehler and used with his permission ON THE USE OF B1 VITAMIN PRODUCTS ON BONSAI by Dave Bogan You can draw your own conclusions on whether the use of Vitamin B1 is benefi cial to your trees in your environment. - George B. FROM DAVID BOGAN: As the old saying goes, everyone has an opinion. Over the years, I have tested a very wide variety of products and additives. As with many things, it s very hard to see and prove actual results, unless you have two or more trees that are identical and you can perform a test keeping one tree as a untouched control to see if there is a difference. Even then, you won t be totally sure of the affects of a given additive. When it comes to debating the effectiveness of mineral or vitamin additives, it s like saying that Superthrive doesn t work. Superthrive has been around for 60 years. Even John Naka has expressed how well it worked with his trees. It s a well known fact that Superthrive contains vitamin B-1. So are we to doubt that Dr. Thomson is wrong? His product is used worldwide with excellent testimonials of its effectiveness. The following is a response I received from Dr. Thomson concerning Superthrive versus other rooting solutions, additives and the comments concerning certain additives. Hello Dave, Thank you for your inquiry. In answer, I would point out that those who indulge in comments, questions, doubts, etc. about either of the ingredients disclosed on my Superthrive label are privileged to have all the commotion and fl urry that they choose. I do not regard this as any responsibility of mine, one way or another. You ll not notice any record of my becoming involved in any such. In California alone, the last I checked, thirteen brands were for sale, purporting to provide a total of 1/2 of 1% of the total weight from sources of the two out of over fi fty disclosed on my label. It has been our experience that when such brands are sold, it may be routine for many persons to claim that their product is just as good as Superthrive. Of course, this makes no sense. As I understand it, such brands routinely may contain only 1/2 of 1% total dissolved solids, in contrast with Superthrive, which, as the label says, has some 25% dissolved solids. In other words, I don t know why it should be a matter of concern how much good any one ingredient may be. My customers around the world, including huge numbers of Bonsai experts, are routinely admiring and buying Superthrive for each of its main purposes of Bonsai, that is, for salvaging an ancient plant in the wild for creating any other Bonsai, for transplanting them and then gently and mildly maintaining them. I do not hear of any criticizing of the leading Bonsai masters in their teaching Superthrive as an integral part of their Bonsai protection program. An outline of the tried and proven status of Superthrive is contained in a readily available letter written by the preeminent Bonsai teacher John Naka and also Richard Ota.! PAGE 4
Sincerely, John A. A. Thomson Ph.D., D.A. Founder/President Vitamin Institute How about the additives that are used by hydroponics growers who add everything (including B vitamins) that a plant needs to its water? I ve learned from them the value of using certain types of kelp derivatives. Ultimately, some are benefi cial and some are not. In the case of B-1, it was studied By Gary W. Hickman, Horticulture Advisor University of California Cooperative Extension, Mariposa County. He found that it did show some benefi t but, when compared to a test using plain fertilizer, the results were no better. So, in many cases, a supplement might be benefi cial, but it may not increase the results over plain fertilizer or other nutrients & supplements. But, we do know most fertilizers have different amounts of trace elements when compared brand to brand. In my case, I will continue to use supplements and, as long as I don t see any diverse affects, I will think I am helping my plants. As another thought, most tests done by private individuals, universities and the government are done while growing plants in the ground or in typical organic type soils. In our case, we grow our trees in a different soil, so does that make a difference? Our soil does not contain all the benefi cial nutrient or bacteria that break down materials into a form the plant can use. If plants could manufacture vitamins, then maybe we should believe they can manufacture nutrients also. Further testimonials on B-1 and plants Many consumers assume that products on the store shelf must have been tested to prove their label claims. A good example is vitamin B1 (thiamine), often sold to prevent transplant shock and stimulate new root growth when planting trees, shrubs, roses and other plants. A study in the 1930 s provided the basis for such claims. Pea roots cut off from the plant were placed in a culture medium in the laboratory. The researchers knew that thiamine was normally found in roots, so they put thiamine in the culture medium and found that root growth did occur. Vitamin B1 is manufactured in plant leaves and sent to the roots, but if roots are cut off and placed in a Petri plate, vitamin B1 stimulates growth of the roots when it saturates the culture medium. As I mentioned, in the case of Bonsai, our soil is totally different and we DO cut off roots In my research of B-1 most sites I found used about the same language about B1: Vitamin B-1 (thiamine) is an important component of tissue culture media, in which isolated plant tissues can be propagated. Its use for stimulating root growth in whole plants is not supported in the literature, and one study reported that root growth was greater in the control treatment (water) than with thiamine. Plants in the fi eld manufacture their own source of thiamine, and it is, therefore, unnecessary to add any additional levels. Many fungi and bacteria associated with plant roots also produce thiamine, so it s likely that healthy soils ( dirt not Bonsai soils) will contain adequate levels of this vitamin without amendment. Everyone seems to be in agreement that in normal situations the B1 does no good, other than disease protection. But they all agree, if the plant is not getting B1 for one reason or another, it is benefi cial. We use soil depleted of most everything, therefor it does not provide a normal environment. so B1 could be benefi cial to plants grown in the soil depleted conditions. Peat naturally fi ghts fungi and bacteria, and that alone could cause a B1 problem. I think the scientist agreeing that, when B1 is not present, the addition of B1 is! PAGE 5
benefi cial helps my argument immensely. In Bonsai, our treatment of the plant and its soil conditions are totally different. It s one thing to say a plant will create its own B-1 under normal conditions when it is grown in normal soil. So, again, you should draw your own conclusions. Dave Bogan THE ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF TREES - Dave Bogan This article was taken from Dave bogan s Bonsai by Design newsletter. The information presented is something we all must consider - ED. Recently through some of my board memberships, I have become increasingly more knowledgeable about the illegal importation of trees for Bonsai. It is becoming a huge problem that few are aware of. It is a problem especially with sales through the internet and with small dealers. To start, I must state that I am not against the importation of trees or their need to be quarantined, and I DO believe we need laws and regulations for their importation. I do though feel the government needs to not only clarify the rules but to also make it easier for the individual to legally obtain trees from outside this country. This being said, with the advent of the internet, there has evolved several illegal practices. Individuals and businesses are selling trees that are totally illegal for sale in the U.S. Most all these trees are coming through Japan or China where they are cheap (&, yes, high quality in some cases). Believe me, Japan & China would sell their fi rst born to make money, so don t think for a minute they will help stop it. Many of these web sites or web sales sites will not show Japan or China as the originating point. One recent seller was buying trees in China but offering them for sale through Finland. I won t mention his name but, as of May 1st he was stopped (stopped through pressure from the U.S. government). The huge problem is that our present laws do not allow for our government to go after these people in other countries. It does though allow them to go after YOU if you purchase a tree illegally. The fi nes currently can run from $75. up to over $10,000, plus confi scation of the tree. In addition, IF they would happen to fi nd evidence of a disease or insect on the trees, it could have additional devastating results. There is presently the case of a Bonsai enthusiast who obtained a bonsai which had evidence of a banned type of insect. In this case, the government came in and removed / cut down a full acre of vegetation. This included all trees and shrubs around this man s home and adjacent woods. In other words, a whole acre of beautiful growth was totally destroyed. Now, stop and think what would your home look like with no trees, shrubs or Bonsai trees setting out back? Would that be worth the saving on an illegally purchased Bonsai? There is also a large problem with vendors or businesses here in the U.S. who are selling illegal trees. Now there does exist laws through which the government can fi ne these companies (upwards of $20,000.) but here again, the government will also be very interested in any tree they sold to individuals. So, you need to know from whom you are buying. The problem is also that this is affecting many of our legal importers and legitimate dealers. Many of you are masters in Bonsai. Much of this is due to money. In Japan, very few people actually work on their own trees. It s more of business and/or investment in Japan. This is one area that I feel America is above Japan. I would venture to say 95% of Bonsai practitioners here in the states, do their own work, and keep their trees at their own home. We do this for our love of the art and the pride we receive from our trees. I have never understood how anyone could practice Bonsai but yet let someone else do all the work. People who allow others to do the work are really not practitioners; they are collectors - collectors of someone else s hard work, dreams and pride. I doubt that Japan will ever recognize us as true Bonsai creators. But, in all honesty, do we really care? What many of you don t know is the current law is a pilot program by the government. As of today, this program has been temporarily extended through 2010. After that point, no one knows what will happen. Unknown to most is the fact that if this program is eliminated, it could drastically impede the importation of Bonsai. Can you imagine how hard or expensive it will be to obtain a great tree! PAGE 6
at that point IF it will even be possible. Now, you ask how does this affect me? Well as our legal businesses are affected, it drives up costs. Guess who pays these additional costs YOU. With all this said, again you might ask, why should I care? Stop and think why all the quarantine laws have been implemented. No matter how you feel, it s all been done for OUR safety. We certainly don t need new infestations of insects or diseases from 3rd world or poor countries. As much as we in the Bonsai community revere Japan & China, we must always remember, they are in the export business for the money. You may not think of Japan or China as poor or dirty countries but they are in many areas. Stop and think why some of these trees are so cheap. They re worked on by people earning less than $5.00 per day in many cases. These same people live in poverty. Do you really think they abide by all the laws or worry about our health? Stop and think about the recent swine fl u scares. We need to be very concerned these days with anything that is brought in. Now, I know that many of you will say you have never or never will buy an illegal tree (yea right, that s like asking if you have ever cheated on your tax returns). The problem now is many of you are unsure if the tree you bought over the internet is actually legal. Did you know, in this day andage, that if you order anything over the internet, your order can be tracked and your e-mail address could be an invitation to the government for perform a search of your property? I know for a fact that the customers of the internet company that was recently shut down are now known to the government via their e-mail addresses. Did you order any trees lately that showed the tree being sent into this country from Finland? As mentioned, the company (overseas) will not be fi ned. The end buyer will be the one fi ned and possibly lose his trees. Great saving on that tree if it gets confi scated. We in the Bonsai community need to put a stop to the illegal importation, but we also need to write our congressman and let them know we need an easier way to import our trees. Anyone wishing to check out some of the Government regulation concerning plant importation, can check out the following websites; http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/ plant_health/content/ printable_version/ faq_phact.pdf http://www.aphis.usda.gov/footer_items/ how_to_submit_a_foia_ request.shtml http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/ manuals/ports/index.shtml Remember, we need to stop illegal importation. In doing so, we will ultimately make it easier and, of course, healthier to import trees. If you see or know of anyone obtaining trees illegally, please do the responsible thing and report agricultural smuggling on the government hotline 1-800-877-3835. LEGENDS AND MYTHS OF BONSAI BY GEORGE BUEHLER But before we get into the actual myths, what I found on the internet was that some of the so- called myths were not really myths but someone trying to be either funny or just downright dumb. In one internet article, the author states that bonsai myths are similar to computer viruses, they raise their ugly heads, are suppressed, disappear for a few months, and then reappear again and again and again As an aside, we all must realize that just because you fi nd something on the internet, doesn t mean it is true. Perhaps that should be our starting myth. Also, some myths are in printed form (either article or book); and, if they have a myth in it, the myth perpetuates for years. But I stray from the actual topic. 1. Bonsai is cruel to trees I guess some people believe a plant has feelings! Sometimes I wish I was a bonsai. Wouldn t it be nice to be pampered by your owner, watered diligently and fed on a regular basis? Wiring is done to direct growth and, if taken off at the proper time, it doesn t do any harm to the tree. Obviously a myth 2. Bonsai are expensive I don t think I need to spend much time on this one. Bonsai come in all price ranges depending on age, quality, size, etc. Prices range from a few dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Both a myth and true! PAGE 7
3. All Bonsai are ancient trees When most people, not familiar with the bonsai art, look at a bonsai, the fi rst question they have is usually how old is it. This gives the bonsai artist a good feeling because he has created a specimen that has done what the art calls for designed a tree that look old. Of course a lot of bonsai are old, but when an artist can take a tree that is say 10 or so years old and make it appear much older, then he has shown his artistic talent. Both a myth and true 4. Bonsai are miniature genetic versions of real trees We all know that this is a myth. However, today, we do use some dwarf varieties in our hobby. Both a myth and true 5. Bonsai are indoor plants Although bonsai are frequently displayed in indoor areas, with very few exceptions, bonsai are outdoor plants. Bonsai need sunshine and air circulation, just like their outdoor cousins. More bonsai are killed by being brought indoors or left indoors because they are indoor trees. A juniper left indoor all year around will certainly die. Myth 6. Soil mixtures are very critical This appeared several places on the net. In many instances, bonsai are very forgiving. A particular species will survive in a variety of conditions including soil types. They may not perform at 100%, but they will survive. By manipulating the soil composition, the tree should do better. For instance, when dealing with deciduous trees, they generally like a soil that contains more organic material. Particle size of the soil may also be changed to help control the retained moisture. Both True and a Myth 7. Never cross or overlap wires when wiring your tree (Crossed wires do more damage than regular wiring) Crossed wires are unsightly; but, if you have ever wired a tree, you know they are often unavoidable. Will the juncture of the crossed wires hurt the tree any more than where there is no crossing? Looking at the physics behind the crossed wires, I would have to say that it would depend on how tight both of the wires were in relation to the limb they were on. If they were extremely tight, the expanding branch might be subjected to a higher chance of scarring at the point of crossing. However, the areas of the limb that had only one tight wire on it, would be subjected to a similar force and could exhibit the same scarring. tree. If the wires are tight, then frequent observations of the tree are needed. The category is a myth 8. Do not leave wire on a tree in summer I found this in several locations. The reasoning was that the summer sun would heat the wire and in some way would either burn or harm the limb of the tree. I have often handled trees that had been wired when the temperature was close to 100 degrees and the tree had been sitting in the full sun. I have never seen the situation where I couldn t handle the wire. Both aluminum and copper are good conductors of heat, but they both require a heat source much higher than the sun rays to get to a temperature where the metal would get hot enough to burn the tree. The only problem with having the wire on the tree at this time of the year is that the limb expands with growth in the summer season and the wire, of course, doesn t, so it can dig into the branch. Myth 9. Never water a tree mid-day in the scorching sun The reasoning behind this was that water sitting on a leaf it would act as a magnifi er and burn the leaf. This is one of my favorites. Looking fi rst at a water particle, it is rounded, and the sun rays hitting the droplet would be diffracted (bent in various angles), not magnified If you know anything about thermodynamics, you know that as the water droplet evaporates, the actual temperature around the molecule cools. So if anything, the water droplet on the leaf is a benefit.! PAGE 8
Additionally, when you water in the scorching sun, the pot and the associated roots are cooled and this is a benefi t to the health of the plant. Myth 10. When root or branch pruning, make sure you cut them at an angle I m not certain about this one. For roots, I think an angled cut (with application of a rooting hormone) is the way to go since there is a larger surface area for the roots to re-sprout; however, I have no scientifi c evidence. It should be noted that the root tip may in fact rot back to a spot where the plant has partitioned itself. If there is rotting, then cutting the root straight (thus giving a lower exposed surface area) may be the way to go. On some materials the roots will not regenerate if the root has been cut back too far. The angle isn t the critical factor. For branches, there also doesn t seem to be a difference. I could see that if the branch was cut at an angle so that the angle faced upwards water would enter that exposed area and cause some rotting, but that should be minimal. What is important, when making a cut on either roots or branches, is that the cutter used must be sharp in order to make a clean cut and not crush the branch or root. Myth 11.There is a perfect or ideal tree Many people believe the pine is the perfect tree, while others feel the same about the juniper and maple. There is no perfect tree. The way the tree is designed is probably the most important aspect in bonsai. Each plant, whether pine, juniper or any other species, has what I would call an ideal design. This is due to where the limbs are (naturally) placed. A pine bush in the informal upright design may look more impressive than a maple in the same design simply because the pine generally has more foliage than a maple and therefore looks more impressive. However, the pine designed in the broom style (if that s possible) would not be as impressive as the maple in the broom style. Myth 12.A bonsai eventually reaches completion When I first saw this one, I quickly passed it up but when I saw it in another place, I decided to visit this idea. During the life of the tree, the bonsai is never truly fi nished in the sense of a painting or sculpture reaching completion. The tree will continue to develop and grow until it eventually dies. Some people may believe the tree is fi nished or completed when they get the tree in the form or shape they want. If this were true, when we get a tree in a workshop, the tree could be in a form that we want and therefore could be considered completed. Of course we know that is not the case. Myth 13.My bonsai died/i can t grow bonsai How many times have we all heard this one? Of course, there are some people who have a black thumb, but they are the exception rather than the rule Myth 14. Bonsai is difficult to learn I saved this to last because I know many new people believe it s true. After they purchase a bonsai from one of the big box stores (which has gravel glued to the top of the soil), continually keep it indoors, water it once a week, and watch it die, they obviously believe the hobby is difficult. If these new people are given the guidance needed, they generally change their opinion. [Something we should all consider when we have a beginner s workshop!] There are a lot of things to learn in bonsai, and some trees are more diffi cult than others but it isn t too diffi cult. Myth In conclusion, just because you see something on the net or even in a book, don t believe it is true. It just could be a simple myth.! PAGE 9
2009 MHBS Calendar SAVE THESE DATES..host needed for October July 26 - Sunday!-!Bring Your Own & Share Ideas!Cooperative Extension Center -!Voorheesville, NY August 8 and 9 - Peter Adams BYO Workshop and Annual Picnic (SUNDAY) PFM Bonsai - West Charlton, NY Register at the March Meeting or call Pauline at 882 1039 or email at Pauline@pfmbonsai.com September 19-21!-!Montreal Bonsai Club Annual Show Montreal, Canada DETAILS SOON September 26-27 MHBS Annual Show Faddegon's Nursery!-!Latham, NY ARE YOU GETTING YOUR BONSAI READY FOR THIS ANNUAL EVENT??? October 25 - Sunday - Winter Storage & Care Presentation Cooperative Extension Center -!Voorheesville, NY November 22,!Sunday - David Easterbrook PFM Bonsai - West Charlton, NY Register by calling Pauline at 882 1039 or email at Pauline@pfmbonsai.com WS AM,, Demo PM COMING EVENTS FOR MHBS TO REGISTER FOR AUGUST 8-9 Peter Adams 2 day workshop event location: pfm bonsai This will be Peter s 3rd trip to continue his work with MHBS. Some of you have attended the prior workshops and will wish to continue, some of you will come your first time. Reservations will be on a first come and pay basis. THERE IS A CHANGE...SILENT OBSERVERS (that means no questioning only listening) will be allowed for a fee of $10 ( the fee is to help pay for the travel expenses)the fee is $85 each day for WS plus $10 per day for his travel costs and is restricted to only those who are paying for the workshop. The travel fee has increased by $3 because his travel cost more that projected. So far the following are registered. There are still 2 places left each day. Remember to mail your payments to Mike Curthoys our treasurer!! If your name is missing call or email Pauline immediately: Saturday: Adriano, Bill Jones, Joann, Dorothy, Alan Tallman, David Payton 2 places left Sunday: Bill Jones, Tom K, Joann, Tom Martin, Ann Burnett, Alan Tallman 2 places left NOVEMBER 22 DAVID EASTERBROOK workshop and demo location: pfm bonsai One of our favorites returns. Morning workshop for eight with observers allowed. Afternoon demo with tree to be raffled. Call Pauline to sign up.! PAGE 10
WANTED: SECRETARY FOR MHBS requirements: warm body who attends meetings and is capable of writing notes and sending them by email to the newsletter editor pay: the appreciation of the entire club BONSAI EVENTS AWAY FROM HOME July 7-13 2009: World Bonsai Convention VI: 1st Bonsai Olympics at the Condado Plaza Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. For details visit http://www.worldbonsaiconvention2009.com/. IF YOU ARE ATTENDING AND ARE AN ABS MEMBER PLEASE WRITE: ABS MEMBER ON YOUR REGISTRA- TION FORM. YOU WILL EARN $50 FOR ABS!! September 10-13,2009 International Bonsai Shohin Bonsai Symposium Rochester NY Details at http://www.internationalbonsai.com/ Officers MHBS 2009 President David Payton 518 356 3299 dpayton@nycap.rr.com Vice President (programs) Adriano Manocchia who needs ideas for next year s programs 518 677-5744 adriano@tsmandco.com Treasurer Mike Curthoys who hopes everyone is enjoying their summer 518 371-3668 curthoys@hotmail.com Newsletter Editor Pauline Muth 518 882 1039 Pauline@pfmbonsai.com Club Photographer Alan Tallman 914-980-5407 Awtallman@aol.com! PAGE 11