Newsletter....May 2008
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May's meeting brings a visit to PBS by a well-known California bonsai artist and potter, Jim Barrett.
In the fall of 1958, Jim met Khan Komai when Mr. Komai opened his nursery in Temple City, California. Jim spent as much time as he could at the nursery, learning all he could from Khan, and when it became apparent that Jim was serious about this art, Khan introduced him to the Japanese bonsai community. As time went on Mr. Komai decided that he would sponsor classes at his nursery and that Jim should be the teacher. This was in the early 60's, and Jim has been teaching bonsai ever since. He has traveled throughout the United States, as well as to Canada, Colombia, South America and Australia.
Jim has been a featured speaker at many conventions and has worked for many bonsai organizations. He is past president of Bonsai Clubs International, the first president of Golden State Bonsai Federation, the founding president of the Santa Anita Bonsai Society and has served on the American Bonsai Society’s board of directors. Always interested in ceramics, Jim has for the past three decades been making bonsai pots. Although known for his shohin and mini-pots, his main interest lies in making large containers modeled after Japanese- and Chinese-style pots.
Though Jim has never taken formal bonsai lessons or classes, he attributes his success to the many Japanese bonsai experts in Southern California and gives them credit for the generous sharing of their knowledge and friendship.
Jim's demo material, a shimpaku juniper, will be raffled - double your chances by exhibiting your bonsai.
Speaker: Jim Barrett -Lecture/Demo
Date: Friday, May 16
Location: Greater Plymouth Community Center
Time: 7:00 pm
Future Meetings
June 15 - Annual Picnic & Auction
45th Anniversary Celebration!
September 20-21 - PBS Exhibit - Japanese House, Fairmount Park
April Meeting
Our scheduled speaker for April cancelled his tour unexpectedly, and Jim Gillespie was gracious enough to step up and present a really great program.
Jim worked on a Bird's Nest spruce, which is a bit difficult to work with. Jim had no problem styling this challenging material, and the bonsai that emerged was a semi-cascade, with a fairly thick base, some tasteful jins, and a very elegant slant.
Jim gave an insightful horticultural lesson on the spruce, regarding growth habit, care, and diseases. He specifically warned that these spruce are very susceptible to attacks by red spider mites, and that special attention be given during long dry periods, or when the color seems "off".
Jim stressed the importance of looking at a tree from all angles when beginning to style, and that once a style is decided upon, the tree should be tilted as necessary to accommodate that style. Jim likes to avoid wedges while styling. He would rather use his standby, which are shot bags filled with plastic pellets. These seem to hold the tree very well in the desired position. While he was doing some fairly extensive wiring, a number of members came up to observe Jim at work more closely. Lots and lots of questions ensued.
Jim deserves a huge "Thank you" from PBS, not only for stepping in at the last moment, but for doing a tremendous program with a spectacular result.
While all the members were very pleased with the evening, our raffle winner Joanne Dhody, was seen leaving with an exceptionally large smile.
Many thanks, Jim for a superlative program!
Coming........Sunday, June 1
Estate Auction of Bonsai, Pots, and Tools
Greater Plymouth Community Center
Approximately 50 bonsai and assorted tools and pots will be presented for the auction, to be conducted by PBS
Check the PBS website for details and pictures - www.pabonsai.org
National Bonsai Foundation Notes
Some good news was relayed to the NBF Board during its annual meeting last week. The letter writing campaigns launched by bonsai enthusiasts and other Arboretum stakeholders has had a pronounced effect on Congressional committees concerned with budget allocations for 2009. It now appears that there will be a Continuing Resolution for the 2009 fiscal year, which will mean that funding will continue at 2008 levels and that no positions or programming will be cut for the coming year.
Also, it was noted that the Congressional Committee Chairs received a number of calls from local US Representatives requesting information about the proposed Arboretum and Museum funding cuts, so our letters and calls did have some far-reaching effects. Hopefully, the future budgets will provide some increased funding for the US Arboretum.
I'd like to thank all of the PBS members who took the time to write a letter in support of the Arboretum and the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. JB
As an additional note, the NBF website now has photos of many of the bonsai in the three major collections. You can also become a member of the NBF by enrolling on the site at a minimal cost. The URL is: http://www.bonsai-nbf.org/
Seasonal Notes
Here's an interesting article that might help improve success with your cuttings and layering.
Willow Water Works!
Edited by Alan Walker
According to an article in Avant Gardener (June 2006, pp. 57-58) “aspirin water” (three aspirins dissolved in four gallons of water and sprayed on plants every few weeks) can improve growth and yields, often remarkably. Aspirin (ASA) is salicylic acid, which plants manufacture to trigger natural defenses against bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Gardeners have reported that “willow water” produces the same results. Willow water is made by steeping cuttings of willows (Salix) in water for 48 hours. It is often used to improve rooting of cuttings by soaking them in it for 24 hours, then treating them with rooting hormones. The active ingredient in the willows is believed to be rhizocaline, which is not itself a hormone, but a catalyst that greatly enhances the action of hormones.
Willows are also rich in salicylic acid (or possibly compounds of similar action), and so can serve as a substitute for aspirin.
The same issue has another article on page 61 which notes the valuable uses of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the popular cleaner-bleach-antiseptic, which has proved to be a good plant protector and growth promoter.
Gardeners reported improved germination of many seeds when they soaked overnight in one ounce of 3% hydrogen peroxide in a pint of water. When added to foliar sprays or drip irrigation water, H2O2 is said to prevent or cure bacterial and fungal diseases and also helps to supply oxygen to roots in compacted or saturated soil. Yields of soybeans and squash were greatly increased when H2O2 was added to irrigation water in Australian experiments. Yet to be confirmed is a hypothesis that H2O2 also is useful as an insecticide by killing the eggs and larvae of certain pests.
Reprinted from "Bonsai News" , newsletter of the Lake Charles Bonsai Society
Dues Reminder
It’s that time of the year again! Our membership year ends with the last day of May. If your address label has an 07/08 on it, please send your dues check to our treasurer, Dave Spirt, as soon as possible. Labels displaying an 08/09 indicate dues are paid for the coming 2008-9 year. Dues remain at $20.00. The mailing address is:
The Pennsylvania Bonsai Society Box 801
Spring House, PA 19477
You can clip and send the form on the right, or pay at the May or June meetings. PBS dues are among the lowest in the region, with some exceptional member benefits.
Directions to the Greater Plymouth Community Center
From Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276)
Take Exit 333 (Norristown - old exit 25). At the end of the ramp, turn left onto Plymouth Road. At the light, turn right onto Germantown Pike West. Continue approximately one (1) mile, through five (5) traffic lights. At the sixth light, turn right onto Jolly Road. The Community Center is on the right at 2910 Jolly Road.
From Blue Route (I-476)
Take exit for Germantown Pike West (Exit 20). Continue on Germantown Pike west for approximately one (1) mile, through six (6) traffic lights. At the seventh light ti right onto Jolly Road. The Community Center is on the right at 2910 Jolly Road.
From Route 202
Follow Route 202 to Germantown Pike. Travel EAST on Germantown Pike, through five (5) traffic lights. At the next traffic light, approximately half a mile, turn left on Jolly Road. The Community Center is on the right at 2910 Jolly Road.
Greater Plymouth Community Center
2910 Jolly Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
Phone: 610-277-4312
http://www.plymouthcommunitycenter.org