December - The Columbus Bonsai Society

December 2012 Newsletter
President
Zack Clayton
Tree Curator
Dan Binder
Director Emeritus
José Cueto
1st Vice President
Ken Schultz
2nd Vice President
Denny Sackett
1 year Director
Ben William
2 year Director
Tracy Freeland
3 year Director
Jack Smith
Past President
Mark Passerello
Treasurer
Richard Gurevitz
Secretary
Sandy
Schoenfeld
Librarian
Beverlee Wilson
Web Master
Ed McCracken
Newsletter Editor
Richard Uhrick
Education
Have you renewed
your memberhip
yet? If not, then this
could be your
LAST
ISSUE
Tom Holcomb
Columbus Bonsai Society PO Box 1981 Columbus OH 43216-1981
[email protected]
www.ColumbusBonsai.org
Columbus Bonsai is a proud member of the American Bonsai Society and Bonsai Clubs International.
1
December 2012 Newsletter
President
Zack Clayton
“A Pinch of this….”
Tree Curator
Dan Binder
Director Emeritus
José Cueto
st
1 Vice President
Ken Schultz
...Eat, Drink, and be Merry….
See you Tuesday!
Bonsai=Perseverance
2nd Vice President
Denny Sackett
1 year Director
Ben William
2 year Director
Tracy Freeland
3 year Director
Jack Smith
Past President
Mark Passerello
Treasurer
Richard Gurevitz
Secretary
Sandy
Schoenfeld
Librarian
Beverlee Wilson
Rich Uhrick
Inside this issue:
Program Info
3
Holiday Party Info
4
Lavender
5
Dormancy
6
Book Report
7
Last Month
10
Calendar of Events
14
11 NEW MEMBERS IN 2012
JOSEPH HEBDO
SIMONE ROGERS
VALERIE NASH
SHELLEY L MOORE
MARIO POSANI
NANCY FIUMERA
THE GUNDORF FAMILY; KYLE, TRACY ANDERSON
THE JORDAN FAMILY; GAVIN, JOHN
SEAN MACSUIBHNE
THE MAVES FAMILY; CLARE, TOM
GREG SMITH
LET’S TRY TO DOUBLE THAT
FOR NEXT YEAR!
Web Master
Ed McCracken
Newsletter Editor
Richard Uhrick
Education
Tom Holcomb
Remember there is not a
meeting on Sunday, just a
holiday dinner.
Columbus Bonsai Society PO Box 1981 Columbus OH 43216-1981
[email protected]
www.ColumbusBonsai.org
Columbus Bonsai is a proud member of the American Bonsai Society and Bonsai Clubs International.
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COLUMBUS BONSAI SOCIETY
DECEMBER 2012
This Month’s Program—Dinner at Little Dragons
December 18 at 7:00 P.M.
Little Dragons Restaurant
1508 Morse Rd.
Columbus, OH 43229
APPETIZERS:
SPICY AND MILD WANTONS
SCALLION PANCAKE
MAIN DISHES:
CHICKEN WITH CHINESE BASIL
CRISPY BABY SMELT
BLACK PEPPER SCALLOPS
SWEET AND SOUR FISH
FISH FILLET WITH BLACK BEAN SAUCE
SAUTEED SNOW PEA LEEK
EGGPLANT WITH GROUND PORK
PAN FRIED FLAT NOODLE WITH BEEF
COMBINATION LO MEIN
I THINK WE ALSO GET SOUP AND FRUIT FOR DESERT-ORANGES, I THINK.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
2013
JANUARY: JUDGING
CRITERIA/ SLIDESHOW
The Columbus Bonsai Society
receives meeting space and other
support and assistance from Franklin
Park Conservatory and Oakland
Nurseries
FEBRUARY: GRAFTING WITH
KEN HUTH
MARCH: SAIKEI DEMO
APRIL: MAPLES WITH ZACK
DISCLAIMER
The Columbus Bonsai Society Newsletter, is
the intellectual property of the Columbus
Bonsai Society. All Rights Reserved. No part of
this publication may be reproduced in any form,
or by any means —electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise —
without permission in writing from the Editor.
Rich Uhrick, Editor
[email protected]
MAY: COTONEASTER
JUNE: WILLIAM VALVANIS
JULY: ANNUAL SHOW
SEE PAGE 14 FOR MORE
DATES AND LISTINGS
COLUMBUS BONSAI SOCIETY
DECEMBER 2012
December 18 at 7:00
P.M.
Little Dragons Restaurant
1508 Morse Rd.
Columbus, OH 43229
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COLUMBUS BONSAI SOCIETY
DECEMBER 2012
TREE OF THE MONTH: Lavandula stoechas – Lavender
I
was at Strader’s Nursery on Rte. 33 and
Bethel, in November and discovered their
herbs stored away in the large greenhouse. I
started looking at the Rosemary because they
were blooming, then I noticed some lavender with
bloom heads pushing. I guess they were responding
to the warmth of the unheated greenhouse as the
Rosemary in my collection had in my unheated
greenhouse. I found both a Rosemary and a
Lavender that had interesting “trunks” and since
they were on $2.99 each, I bought them both. (Yes,
I know; I do not need any more plants.) When I got
home I searched the web for Lavender bonsai and
found one site that is it, one. The blogger
mentioned he had not seen Lavender bonsai either,
but decided to try it since it
reminded him of Rosemary,
which are commonly used as
“herbal bonsai.” His even had
some Jin on his “tree”.
Lavender (Lavandula) is
native to the Mediterranean
region and a lover of dry, sunny,
rocky habitats, similar to
Rosemary. ‘Hidcote’ and
‘Munstead’ two Lavender
varieties noted to tolerate cooler
temperatures and wetter
conditions. Most other varieties
are less hardy and find
temperatures below 10F fatal. The one I bought is
“Kew Red” or”French lavender”. It is a zone 8-9
hardy plant, so it went to the greenhouse and now
to the basement.
Growing Requirements: Lavender plants
will tolerate many growing conditions, but it thrives
in warm, well-drained soil and full sun. Normally
they only grow to about 24” tall X 24” in diameter.
I read that plants “in production” live for about ten
years. An alkaline (pH above 7.0) and especially
lime rich soil will enhance lavender flower
fragrance. Flowers rise on stalks above the plant’s
foliage. Rosemary “Prostratus” flowers are close to
the foliage. While you can grow lavender in the
ground in Ohio, more realistically you can expect to
have plants that will do well when the weather
cooperates and to experience die back or death after
a severe winter or a wet, humid summer. I plan to
treat it like any other Mediterranean plant such as
Olives or Rosemary. Lavender foliage is grey in
color and grows upright with its buds appearing in
pairs just like Rosemary. (One site said that there
was rosemary that had lived for 33 years and was 6
feet tall.)
I wondered if Lavender and Rosemary were
botanical siblings, so I searched for their botanical
roots. The official botanical name for rosemary is
Rosmarinus officinalis. Rosemary is part of the
mint family of herbs. Rosemary is a member of the
Labiatae herb family. Other members of the same
family include basil, patchouli, lavender, hyssop,
myrtle, mint, clary, and sage. They both belong to
the same family of plants along with some other
well-known herbs such as oregano, sage, thyme,
mint, and basil. Lavender is an herb in France and
primarily its flowers used in
potpourris to scent homes and
keep out wool eating moths.
Rosemary leaves are very
aromatic and therefore used in
cooking; lavender leaves do not
seem to be very scented.
However, they are not close
enough relatives to allow them
to crossbreed.
Lavender is extremely drought
resistant, once established.
However, when first repotting
lavender plants give them some
compost and keep them well
watered until they recover and begin growing
vigorously.
Special Considerations: It is dampness,
more than cold, that is responsible for killing
lavender plants. Dampness can come in two forms;
wet roots during the winter months, or high
humidity in the summer. If humidity is a problem,
make sure you have plenty of space between your
plants for airflow and always keep your lavender
plant in a sunny or well-lighted location. If you are
trying one of the hardier varieties mentioned so that
you can try to keep them outdoors, mulch their pot
in after the ground initially freezes. Also protect
your lavender plants from harsh winter winds. Keep
them next to a stone or brick wall will provide
additional heat and protection.
Pruning: Lavender plants should get
regular pruning. Harvesting the flowers can do
some of this. To keep them shaped and to
(Continued on page 9)
COLUMBUS BONSAI SOCIETY
DECEMBER 2012
6
Dormancy – What Happens to Your Bonsai in Winter?
W
e know that the deciduous trees in our yards and yes our bonsai that are deciduous, drop their
leaves after sufficient shortening of the days and cooler temperatures arrive. Even my semihardy trees may drop their leaves before I finally relegate them to artificial lighting in my
basement. In preparation, trees store sugars produced through photosynthesis, so that when
spring arrives they have the strength to open their buds to grow new leaves to begin photosynthesis again.
Dormancy is a self -preservation defense mechanism that protects them from the savages of winter weather.
Conifers appear to defy logic by retaining most of their foliage, but under severe enough conditions,
their photosynthesis stops too. To minimize dehydration, old needles or foliage browns and drops off. They
also store sugars for the spring push. Unlike deciduous trees though, they carry on a low level of photosynthesis when the winter temperature rise (above 38) with the needles that they retain. This is also, why they
can use poo balls to feed them at a low level over the winter months.
Tropicals seem to continue to grow all year round. But even they need a cooling/rest period. Most
growth pauses by December and then gains speed about February after a couple of months of rest. For all
three types of trees this period of rest is almost as important as the period of growth. I can recall when I began bonsai and did not understand that without this rest a tree will eventually exhaust itself and become
weaker and weaker perhaps even die if they do not go through this dormancy period.
A former club member said she had kept her juniper continuously in the house for six years before it
weakened and died. The big exception is Jack Wikle, who has kept his mame’ collection under lights continuously for over 20 years. His technique is described in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden’s Indoor Bonsai book
in the chapter called, One Grower’s Tips for Success with Indoor Bonsai. Three of Jack’s secrets are; 1) put
the lights as close as possible (no more than 6” above them) and put them on a timer for 16 hours a day, 2)
use a light fertilizer solution every time you water (he mentions Peter’s 20-20-20, at 1 tsp./5 gal of water.) and
3) use a sand bed or folded towel under the pots as a pot should never stand in water. His soil mix is builder’s
sand, sphagnum peat and sandy loam garden soil in a 1:1:1 blend. If you haven’t seen Jack Wikle’s amazing
mame’s they are all less than 6” tall. Jack only treats his mame’ bonsai in this manner, he has or had hardy
larger bonsai outdoors. (Jack recently sold many of his larger trees.)
Interestingly some species of tropicals seem to respond to shorter days and cooling weather by blooming. So don’t be surprised if your Bougainvillea, Rosemary or Serrisa bloom in late fall or early winter. Also
if you’re doing it right some may bloom in February when they think spring has arrived. I had an Azalea that
was bought for Valentine’s Day that bloomed every year in February. This clued me that the tropical period
of dormancy was over. (I over-watered it to death) So be careful with your indoor bonsai, their water use during the winter month may be much less than during the summer.
Ken Schultz
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COLUMBUS BONSAI SOCIETY
DECEMBER 2012
Book Of The Month: The Secret Techniques of Bonsai
By Masakuni Kawasumi II and Masakuni Kawasumi III
T
his book copyrighted in 2005; however, it was
started by the father and finished
posthumously by his son. The father was a
famous bonsai person in Japan as far back as
the 1930’s. His son became a professional tree doctor,
a title that requires certification in Japan. The father
started this book after traveling and observing bonsai in
many other countries. He also authored Bonsai with
American Trees. In the book, the son’s additions to the
book are set aside and noted with “From the Tree
Doctor”. While it is a 10.5”x8” book, it is only 110
pages long and a majority of the pictures in it are black
and white. The book is organized into two parts; part
one has three chapters and is titled “the Basics” and part
2 has 12 chapters under the title “Techniques”.
The father notes in Chapter 1 that, bonsai has a
spiritual aspect on a higher level than can be found in
most other leisure activities. He feels this is why people
the world over take such a zealous interest in the art.
This is almost word for word from the
book. He says when contemplating bonsai
that bonsai evokes images of trees or
shrubs in nature, or moves the hearts of
viewers. Therefore, not all plants or trees
in pots are bonsai. Trees and plants that
emanate the aura of wabi (quiet
refinement) or sabi (timeworn elegance)
are bonsai in a deeper sense of the word.
Chapter two shows the styles and
provides the Japanese word for the style
first. Some were familiar to me, some not.
For example, Kengai for cascade was
familiar but Sankan for triple-trunk style
was not. Chapter 3 is about starting
bonsai. The son or Tree Doctor” provided
comment about “Adopting Natural
Seedlings.” He believes seeds that sprout
naturally make better bonsai because they were the one
seed that survived from thousands of seeds dropped by a
tree. However, he goes on to say that, cuttings are the
best way to cultivate new plants for bonsai. He cautions
cut with a sharp instrument, as a blunt tool will reduce
the likelihood to root. Re-cutting underwater helps as
does soaking it overnight and using a rooting hormone.
The chapter goes on to discuss collecting seedlings and
buying plants from a nursery or bonsai garden. The three
criteria he says are important in selecting a plant are 1)
good surface roots, 20 tapering trunk and branches and
3) abundant branches.
Part Two of the book focuses on a variety of
techniques including; layering, grafting, bud trimming,
defoliation, Jin, and Sharikan. In the chapter on layering
there are photos showing the use of a “toriki scraper” a
tool made just for air layering. In the chapter on
grafting, he shows side grafting, top grafting and
approach grafting. Each type is photo illustrated and the
tree doctor discusses the application of grafting. Chapter
six presents making a bonsai with multiple trunks or as
we would call it “Clump Style”. He shows this
technique using maples and Zelkova.
In Chapter 7 and 8, he separates preparation for
repotting from repotting and actually discusses pruning
as a preparation item. His pruning instructions also show
the use of the proper bonsai tool to use for a variety of
types of pruning. He shows that the resulting scar is
smaller and heals quicker when the right tools are used.
In Chapter 8, he focuses on when to repot (when the
trees are not leafed) and getting to know the soil. He
says there are two kinds of soil structure, single grained
and clumping. Moreover, he talks about soil chemistry,
saying that most trees need a pH of 6.5-7.0. (Slightly
acidic to neutral). He advises against using lime to raise
the soil pH regularly. He also advises to
use one soil type for all your trees.
Chapter 9 is about bud pruning. He says
in general deciduous trees should be kept
to two leaves, so trim off what extends
beyond them. Similarly, he points out that
you reduce the buds on a pine to the two
you want. He shows a variety of tools for
these tasks but noted pine candles are
usually pinched. In chapter 10 he notes
that defoliation increases ramification and
is done after the leaves darken and
harden. Chapter 10 also covers needle
plucking of pines.
Chapter 11 shows several techniques
related to reshaping through wiring. He
shows metal bars and clamps used to bend
heavy branches. The final technique
presented is the use of a Trunk Splitter. He says splitting
of trunks up to 2” in diameter is possible. It is possible
to split trunks in half, quarters or even 1/6ths. A split
trunk can then be bent into shape and wrapped to heal in
its new shape.
Chapter 12 is about creating Jin and Sharikan. (I
thought it was Shari.) He shows four sets of hand
carving tools and seven power tool attachments. The
next four pages show photos of using tools to create Jin
of Sharikan. In one series, he shows that a trunk is easier
to bend after the creation of Sharikan. The tree doctor
spends some time talking about taking time to trace the
lifelines or water lines between the roots and the
branches to prevent killing them when creating
Sharikan.
(Continued on page 8)
COLUMBUS BONSAI SOCIETY
DECEMBER 2012
8
TECHNIQUES (Continued from page 7)
Chapter 13 is devoted to the planting of bonsai on a slab or rock, called Ishitsuki. (Another new word for me.)
He notes that such plantings do NOT need repotting very often. There are 20 photos used to show the planting of a slab
with maples. The tree doctor provides that the slab planting will need special care when it comes to watering.
The book closes with a Chapter on daily care and then a chapter on bonsai tools. Care covers location,
turntables, watering, fertilizing, weeding, and protection from disease and the weather. If you are wondering, how
turntables got on this list; it is so that you can more easily rotate your trees for even growth and ease of care. In the
chapter on tools, he starts with the basics. Selecting the right tool, and after care use which includes cleaning and
sharpening.
While I am not normally attracted to books using black and white photos, this one covered a number of
techniques that we plan to be presenting during our 2013 calendar. In addition, some subjects though short are in more
detail than I have seen in many other books.
Ken Schultz
40TH ANNUAL BONSAI SHOW
JULY 20-21, 2013
FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY
LOWER LEVEL where admission is
Free!
9
COLUMBUS BONSAI SOCIETY
DECEMBER 2012
LAVENDER (Continued from page 5)
encourage new growth, spring pruning is in order. The taller varieties can be cut back by approximately onethird their height. Lower growing varieties can either be pruned back by a couple of inches or cut down to
new growth. If you disturb the plants too early in the season, they give up trying. Plants kept indoors can be
pruned when there is active new growth. As with maples and rosemary, since lavender had buds in pairs, you
will need to cut back to a bud pair that has the direction of growth you want. You may also wish to
discourage one bud from growing too long to direct the plant’s direction of growth.
Containers: Locate your lavender in full sun. It is probably wise to bring it indoors for the winter.
Although lavender has a large, spreading root system, it prefers growing in a tight space. A pot that can
accommodate the root ball with a couple of inches to spare would be a good choice. Too large a pot will only
encourage excessive dampness (root rot).
Insure that the pot has plenty of drainage. To prevent water pooling in the pot, you may want to place
a layer of gravel or grit at the bottom. Rot root is one of the few problems experienced by lavender plants.
Use a loose, soilless mix for planting. The smaller the container the more water it will require. How much
more depends on the season and the size of its pot. Water when the soil, not the plant, appears dry and water
at the base of the plant to limit dampness on the foliage. Compact varieties to try as bonsai are L. angustifolia
‘Nana Alba’ and Spanish lavender (L. stoechas subsp. pedunculata)z
Ken Schultz
COMING IN JANUARY
January 23, 2013 - Enjoy the 17th Bonsai Expo of the Carolinas
Over 80 trees from thirteen clubs were shown at the 17th Bonsai Expo in Asheville
North Carolina, October 13 & 14th 2012. First, to assist in understanding how the ribbons were awarded, Dan Binder will present two criteria on how trees are judged. These
criteria will also help you to select pre-bonsai that may become future show winners. Then Ken Schultz will lead you around the trees in the show, finally revealing the
trees that were awarded ribbons.
During our meeting you will also have an opportunity to sign up for the Grafting
Workshop that Ken Huth will lead on February 17. Ken will be teaching the important
skill of grafting using two types of pine, Black and Cork Bark. The cost is $15. Grafting
is a skill that not only allows you to grow a difficult to start variety on a hardy root
stock, but it also allows you to add a branch where one has refused to sprout. I've even
seen the foliage or a tree entirely replaced through grafting on a more desirable variety. It is also possible to graft roots to improve the nabari of a tree.
COLUMBUS BONSAI SOCIETY
DECEMBER 2012
MARK PASSERRELLO LET’S
US IN ON HIS SECRETS FOR
SUCCESSFUL ERODIUM
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COLUMBUS BONSAI SOCIETY
DECEMBER 2012
MARK’S SOURCE FOR
ERODIUM STOCK
http://geraniaceae.com/cgi-bin/listPlants.cgi?
major=Erodiums&minor=Shade
COLUMBUS BONSAI SOCIETY
DECEMBER 2012
Have you renewed
your memberhip
yet? If not, then this
could be your
LAST
ISSUE
12
13
COLUMBUS BONSAI SOCIETY
DECEMBER 2012
From the Circulation Desk of the C.B.S. Library
In an effort to make the C.B.S. library more available to all of our members (since the library cabinet
is being stored at Oakland Nursery and since we aren't meeting there every month), I will do my best to
fill any requests that you may have to borrow any of the items that we currently have in our collection.
I have a complete list of all of the books, magazines and videos that we have in our library; so, no later
than the Friday before our monthly meeting, either send me an e-mail at
[email protected] and let me know what items you would like to borrow from our
library.
I will let you know if we have that particular item in our library or, if it has already been checked
out by another one of our members, when it should be available for you to borrow. However, if you are
interested in a particular article or topic in one of our bonsai magazines, I will need to know the specific
issue you would like to borrow, since I don't have a master index for all of the magazines that we have.
And to be as fair as possible to all of our members, you may check out only two books, magazines, CD's
or videos at one time for a two month period.
Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions about these new procedures. After all, it
is your library, too!
Beverlee Wilson
[email protected]
Librarian
Renewal Memberships may be paid for more than one year at a time.
COLUMBUS BONSAI SOCIETY
DECEMBER 2012
14
Bonsai Here and Beyond the Outer belt
Unless otherwise noted, The Columbus Bonsai Society meets the third Sunday of every month at 1:45 pm .
Board Meetings are the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm. The board meetings are open to members.
18 DEC 2012
CBS HOLIDAY DINNER—LITTLE DRAGONS, MORSE ROAD, COLUMBUS
2013
1 JAN
MEMBERSHIP IS EXPIRED (IF NOT ALREADY
RENEWED) SEND IN YOUR DUES TODAY!
20 JAN
17 FEB
17 MAR
21 APR
19 MAY
16 JUN
20-21 JUL
18 AUG
15 SEP
20 OCT
17 NOV
JUDGING CRITERIA / SLIDESHOW FROM ASHEVILLE—OAKLAND
GRAFTING WORKSHOP W/ KEN HUTH—FPC
SAIKEI DEMO—FPC
MAPLES W/ ZACK—OAKLAND
COTONEASTER WORKSHOP W/ MIHALIC—FPC
FOREST DEMO W/ WILLIAM VALVANIS—FPC
CBS 2013—ANNUAL SHOW —FPC
TBA
PICNIC/ MEMBER SALE/ IRON BONSAI
JIN AND SHARI—FPC
RAFT AND CLUMP STYLES W/ FICUS—TBA
FPC= FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY
OAKLAND= OAKLAND NURSERY, COLUMBUS LOCATION
FROM THE CBS CARE GUIDE
December - Early Winter - 40/25


You may wire trees, as their lack of leaves makes it easier this time of year.
Move your less hardy and smaller trees into a protected area. This may be a cold frame, an unheated
garage, a cool basement, or mulched near the side of a building.
Columbus Bonsai Society
PO Box 1981
Columbus, OH 43216-1981
Questions to:
[email protected]
HTTP://Columbusbonsai.org
Regular Club meetings on
3rd Sunday of the month
Meetings Start at 1:45 pm
All are welcome to attend
CBS Board meets
1st Tuesday of the month
at 6:30 pm
DINNER AT LITTLE
DRAGONS