Post on 02-Feb-2021
transcript
The Bonsai News of Houston A monthly newsletter of Houston Bonsai Society
Volume 52 Number 1 January 2021
In This Issue
Upcoming Events Zoom meeting Collecting with
Dan Wiederrecht &
Steve Varland
from Backcountry Bonsai
Showcase
of the Month Sea Stack Bonsai
January
Bonsai Care
President’s Letter
Pomegranate
Christmas 2020
Virtual Party Jonas Dupuich’s demo
Bonsai inspired cocktails
Door prizes
Over sea stacks in Bali, a new day is dawning on a brand new year. (Photo: Pinterest)
The virus is still raging in Houston and considering our member age profile, and
the fact that it is still going to take at least 3 - 4 months to get the vaccine.
Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, happy and prosperous new
year and many treasured memories and blessings for 2021!
Upcoming HBS activities
January 9 HBS monthly program: Zoom session Tips for sustainable
and successful collecting: preparation, tools, grafting, wooden boxes
and aftercare tips, with Dan Wiederrecht and Steve Varland from
Backcountry Bonsai. The two demo trees will be raffled after the
presentation.
January 9 afternoon, , Saturday Study Group at Timeless Trees, 12 – 4
PM. Free, coffee and juice provided. Please bring your tools, wire, and
trees to work with other HBS members.
January 16 Lecture-demo on Ashe juniper by Todd Schlafer on
Zoom or in-person at Timeless Trees – 9AM – 12 Noon. Demo tree will
be raffled.
January 16 Todd Schlafer Workshop at Timeless Trees, 1 – 5 PM,
$40. Please bring your own conifer to work with Todd.
Bonsai on Sea Stacks
January Bonsai Care
AZALEA
• Keep plants in full sun.
• Satsuki azaleas can overwinter outdoors in Houston. If temperatures
drop below 30F, protect them.
• No fertilizer this month.
• Do not use lime sulfur on azaleas for winter fungicide.
BALD CYPRESS
• Can wire this month.
• Can remove foliage once it has completely changed color to brown.
• Little or no fertilizer this month.
BOXWOOD
• Fertilize lightly.
• Can wire and trim lightly (if the plant is healthy).
DECIDUOUS
• Keep trees in sunny locations in the cool weather.
• If leaves have not dropped on their own, remove them.
• Spray with lime sulfur just as the buds begin to open. Use a 1.4%
active ingredient concentrations for the spray.
• Can do winter cut back this month.
JAPANESE BLACK PINE
• Check wire and remove if it is cutting in.
JUNIPER
• Junipers can be “cleaned” at any time. Remove old, dead foliage and
downward growing foliage. Done both to promote health and to
prepare the tree for styling.
• Fertilize. Junipers appreciate a moderate level of fertilizer year round
• Can repot junipers now.
• Wire and style.
TROPICALS
• Remove old wire, dead limbs and dead foliage.
• Thin lightly by removing downward growing leaves and old, non-
productive leaves.
• Make sure your winter protections are available for use. Keep an eye
on the weather. Protect all tropical trees below 40 degrees. Protect
buttonwoods whenever it is below 50.
Around the end of December or early January, you can spray with lime sulfur,
which will kill most fungus spores and many insects. Mix to a 1.4 %
concentration of the active ingredient.
President’s Letter
I am honored and excited to accept the role of president of HBS. I have been a member of HBS for twenty years now and it has brough me immense joy, knowledge and many new friends. Every time I attend
a meeting, a workshop or a study group, I learn something new. The practice of bonsai is always evolving, as mastering a living art form is a constant process that brings me great satisfaction. I hope to share this passion with all of you in my term to come and to help you become the best that you can be in the art of bonsai.
I look forward to continuing the strong tradition of educating our members and the general public about the art of bonsai. I also hope to continue the growth of our membership and exceed our record membership in 2020. We will continue to put on great programs with great artists and myself and all the Board members are always open to your suggestions about ways to improve the club’s educational offerings.
I know the last nine months have been difficult for everyone. I have been proud of how HBS has adapted to and overcome these difficult times. I am very appreciative of the HBS Board members, artists and club members who pulled together to keep our educational programs running and to help each other in any way they can.
As we wait for the Covid vaccine to be widely distributed and for life to return to normal, I anticipate that we will continue virtual programs until the Spring. We will monitor and evaluate conditions as they evolve and work to return to our in-person meetings as soon as it is safe to do so. Thank you for being an HBS club member and I look forward to seeing you in-person again soon.
Anthony Cutola
Pomegranate
Among the fruit trees cultivated as bonsai, two special
trees look their most festive when winter approaches, just
in time for the Christmas season. We featured the first,
the Persimmon last year, and now, the Pomegranate, an
the untraditional Christmas that Mother Nature decorated.
As promised last month, here is how you can start your
own cultivation of these darlings.
A twisted pome from the Saito collection, Japan (Photo: Bill V).
The pomegranate, a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub
originated in the region extending from Iran to northern
India, and has been cultivated since ancient times
throughout the Mediterranean regions. It was introduced
into Spanish America in the late 16th century and into
California by Spanish settlers in 1769.
The name Pomegranate derives from the old French
word pomme - grenade, or in early English, the apple of
Grenada (Spain).
Punica granatum var. nana is a the most popular dwarf
variety of Pomegranate grown as an ornamental plant in
gardens and larger containers, and as bonsai specimen.
Training/Pruning
Clip and grow works best on pomes, since the twigs are
so brittle, wiring often damage the branches, especially
those with bloom shoots in the spring. Miniature pome
only makes small, densely twigged trees or shrubs with
small blossoms and fruits, and works best as smaller size
bonsai.
However, to prevent
weakening the tree,
growers often reduce the
number of flowers, hence
the fruits, on each branch.
Others allow a tree to fruit
every two years. The top
can be pruned heavily as well as root prune lightly at
each repotting.
With careful planning,
there may be flowers and
fruit somewhere on the
tree every year. Trim non-
flowering new shoots
during the growing
season.
Train your pomegranate plant into a tree form early in the
plant's first year, by shaping the plant into a single trunk
or the plant will naturally develop into a bush. Frequent
removal of suckers is essential.
Styles: Pomegranate is ideal for making small bonsai.
Informal upright works well in order to display the flowers
and fruits.
The trunk naturally twists, making it perfect for bonsai
with the gnarled ancient appearance.
Temperature
Although the tree can tolerate close to 10°F, their roots in
shallow bonsai pots need protection below 40°F. Pome
grows is best suited to regions with cold winters and hot
summers, or Mediterranean climates, but needs a cool
dormant period to produce abundant fruits.
The first sprouting leaves in Spring come out red then
turn green. If shape control is desired, once the first
branches are hardened, cut back to 2 or 4 leaves. From
the middle of April, the next flush of growth with flowers
forming at the tips of new shoots, needs to be allowed to
grow wild for some time to gain strength.
Light: Pomegranate thrives in full sun and high
temperature but low humidity.
Watering: In order to produce fruit this plant likes
moisture. Never allow to dry out. Keep water away from
blooms, as this might prevent fruiting.
In colder environments, the species is deciduous, but in
our Southern environment, the growth may be continuous
in mild winters.
A California
twisted trunked
pomegranate
John Naka
started for his
wife Alice (Photo:
Pinterest)
Feeding
Fertilize heavily
in early spring
and throughout
the growing
season with
organic
fertilizer.
Repotting
Repot in early
spring until 10 years old, when minimum night
temperature reaches low to mid 60°s. Roots are delicate,
and it does not mind being pot bound. Plant in a pot that
is a bit deeper than usual.
Soil
Well-draining non-organic soil, with balanced pH of 6.6 -
8.0. but watering and fertilizing need to be increased.
Organic materials may be added to bonsai mix.
Propagation
Poms can be propagated from either seeds or cuttings.
Insect/ Diseases
Watch for scale, mealy bugs and thrips, and check your
tree periodically for signs of fungal diseases that affect
the fruit and leaves. Severe fungal infection may cause
premature leaf loss and fruit splitting. Apply a copper-
based fungicide late spring or early summer.
The Pomegranate fruit ripens into a most gorgeous bright
red. It can be eaten fresh as a great snack, but for those
who prefer the cocktail drink, its abundant juice is tasty
and full of rich nutrients. Each country where these trees
grow well, reported their own miraculous benefits as their
elixir of youth or their traditional cuisines. Here is just a
sampler of those superfood qualities.
Pomegranate health benefits include:
• anti-cancer properties.
• support a healthy heart, works like an aspirin to
prevent blood clotting and lower blood pressure,
the vitamins and antioxidants incredibly good for
your heart, and the risk of cardiovascular
diseases.
• aphrodisiac properties in love potions/cocktails,
• arthritis and joint pain prevention,
• bacterial infections prevention,
• source of energy. Pome is rich in vitamin C, K
and group B as well as antioxidants, proteins and
carbohydrates, a high content of potassium and
other minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium
and phosphorus.
• support digestion,
• fights wrinkles,
• bone health improvement.
• the perfect “brain food” as they help to increase
cognitive function and memory recall.
It appears that everyone of us can use a good helping of
this rich natural juice daily for the maintenance of our
overall health.
With so many health protections pomegranates are world
famous for, a small harvest from a Shohin bonsai may
never be sufficient for a shot. If you had the choice, look
for organically grown fruit juice, for commercially grown
ones are sprayed with a lot of fungicide.
Last week, in his first 2021 blog, Bill Valavanis shared a
beautiful tradition his grandmother brought from the
Greek island. Here is an excerpt:
When I was a youngster my grandmother had a couple of
customs she brought from Greece for the New Year
holiday…
The Pomegranate is a fruit with a long history going back
to ancient times. It is widely revered as a symbol of
fertility, prosperity, regeneration and the inseparable
marriage of life and death. One of my tasks for my
grandmother was to take a large, plump, ripe
Pomegranate and smash it on the doorstep for good luck.
The blessed luck was proportional to how far the seeds
were spread. I also had to clean up the red mess which
stains. We do not follow this tradition for obvious reasons,
but I might start next year, with a piece of plastic on the
floor.
For the entire article, please visit Bill Valavanis’ blog:
URL: https://wp.me/p3NEgM-4px
The Asian communities of the world could not wait to bid
farewell to the year of a very wicked Rat, to welcome the
gentler Metal Ox. According to Feng Shui experts, this
hardworking animal is expected to bring hope for career
advancement, health, wellness, and prosperity.
The Metal Ox is a healing year or comeback year, after
all the sufferings of 2020. In agricultural civilizations, the
Ox is considered the strong and sturdy loyal companion.
May your new year 2021, the Year of the Metal Ox brings
you and your loved ones safety, good health, good
healing, happiness and prosperity.
Shawn Nguyen
https://wp.me/p3NEgM-4px
HBS Annual Christmas party
December 5th via Zoom.
As the Board planned for a Christmas party at
Mercer Arboretum, with lunch boxes and gift
exchange, the Houston mayor cancelled out all
gatherings. The impromptu party returned to
Zoom, still packed with fun activities.
Jonas Dupuich
did a short
demo on a
Christmas tree
bonsai, using a
Japanese Black
Pine he grew
from seeds for
7 – 8 years. The most important features of JBP are
short needles and short internodes. Pines that
developed slowly for a number of years often
reward their owners with a beautiful foliage and
silhouette.
It was wonderful that Jonas could carry on a
conversation with the Zoom audience and get their
feedback on what he should do with the tree.
I was quite relieved that Jonas did not removed
most of the pom -poms as he proposed as a literati.
He took the time to thin out the minimal numbers
of needles to redistribute the energy for new
growth. Removing too many needles now may
weakens the tree in the next year. Best to wait till
Spring. The front Jonas decided on was the angle
showing beautiful curves.
Pete prepared a couple of “door prizes”. a Yaupon
Holly in a 2 gallon container and a juniper
procumbens.
Gale Childers was the one in charge of raffle and
door prizes. The demo tree was won by Vern
Maddox. Jonas will be shipping the pine to him. On
the other hand, the Juniper went home with Jerry,
and the Yaupon Holly went home with Galen and
Deb.
The Christmas party concluded with a very unique
Bonsai Cocktail Contest to help toast the New
Year.
Somewhere in the shadow of his home, our HBS
Santa (Clyde Holt) seemed to enjoy the Zoom
party. So far, he probably had not miss a single
session.
There's
nothing like
being there in
the venue
itself and
seeing familiar
faces, but the
board has
done a really
great job with the Zoom shows and found plenty of
ways to safely celebrate the end of what has
undoubtedly been a very tough year. May 2021
turns a completely happy and healthy chapter.
Shawn Nguyen
Calendar of Events.
2021
JAN 1 Happy New Year! May the new year bring good health, prosperity and happiness to our land, our people and the whole world. Until we are get vaccinated, please stay safe with face masks and observe social distancing.
JAN 9 HBS monthly program on Zoom: Tips for sustainable and successful collecting: preparation, tools, grafting, wooden boxes and aftercare tips, with Dan Wiederrecht and Steve Varland from Backcountry Bonsai. Dan supplies yamadori to Ryan Neil and other bonsai professionals. The two demo trees will be raffled after the presentation.
JAN 9 afternoon, 12 - 4PM, Saturday Study Group at Timeless Trees. Free, coffee and juice provided. Please bring your tools, wire, and trees to work with other HBS members.
JAN 16 Lecture-demo on Ashe juniper by Todd Schlafer on Zoom or in-person at Timeless Trees – 9AM – 12 Noon. Demo tree will be raffled.
JAN 16 afternoon Todd Schlafer Workshop 1-5 PM $40. Please bring a conifer to work on with Todd. FEB 6 HBS monthly Zoom program: Junipers with Bjorn Bjorholm FEB 13 Saturday Study group at Timeless Trees. Free, coffee and juice provided. Please bring your tools, wire, and trees to work with other HBS members.
FEB 20 In-person demo and Shohin workshops, at Timeless Trees, tentatively with Mike Lane.
FEB 20 or 27 Club Dig for native species at Barker Cypress - Addicks reservoir Due to the Covid-19 situation, the Board will not be able to plan for activities for the entire year, like in all the previous years. For the most up to date activities, please visit Houston Bonsai Society Facebook page.
Houston Bonsai Society P. O. Box 540727, Houston, Texas 77254-0727
www.houstonbonsaisociety.com HBS Board Members President Anthony Cutola acutola@gmail.com 1st Vice President Janny van Beem Education jannyvanbeem@gmail.com 2nd Vice President Nandita D’Souza ndas27@gmail.com Secretary Chris Lannen ctlannen@yahoo.com Public Relations Ken Cousino krcousino@yahoo.com Treasurer Gale Childers Membership f5gale@macconnect.com Webmaster Anthony Cutola Member at Large – E Paul Henderson Member at Large – E Scott Barboza markyscott@icloud.com Member at Large – E Luis Tehran Member at Large – O Ellis Montes Member at Large – O James Fuller Delegates Past President Pete Parker peteparkerbonsai@yahoo.com LSBF Delegate Hurley Johnson Hurley@all-tex.net LSBF Alternate Pete Parker BCI Ambassador TTSBE Rep Alan Raymond amraymond227@gmail.com Website/email Anthony Cutola houstonbonsai@gmail.com Newsletter editor Shawn Nguyen hbs.news@yahoo.com
Space for advertising in The Bonsai News of Houston can be requested by contacting the newsletter editor or a member of the HBS Board. The rates for a business-card-size ad (approximately 3 1/2" x 2") are $10 per month, and $75 per year (12 issues). A full-page ad is $50 per month. Rates are subject to change without notice. 3½" x 2" classified ads are run free of charge for one month once per 12-month period for non-commercial members.
http://www.houstonbonsaisociety.com/mailto:acutola@gmail.commailto:jannyvanbeem@gmail.commailto:ndas27@gmail.commailto:ctlannen@yahoo.commailto:krcousino@yahoo.commailto:f5gale@macconnect.commailto:markyscott@icloud.commailto:peteparkerbonsai@yahoo.commailto:Hurley@all-tex.netmailto:amraymond227@gmail.commailto:houstonbonsai@gmail.commailto:hbs.news@yahoo.com
Timeless Trees Nursery & Studio would like to extend our appreciation to all HBS members and local bonsai lovers for your relentless support in the past 11 years. Our goal was to create a happy place where novices and serious bonsai students can further their knowledge in the Art of Bonsai with workshops led by local teachers and well known artists, or on occasions, by visiting bonsai masters.
You can also find bonsai trees of all varieties from all over the country, great pots and display stands, supplies, fertilizers, soils, tools and books as well as gifts for bonsai lovers. Make sure you subscribe to Current Events on Timeless Trees’ website to stay in the know about classes offered weekly.
We are open on Friday and Saturday, 9AM - 4 PM. Please wear your masks and observe social distancing.
Quality Feed & Garden owner, HBS member Ken Cousino stands ready to assist with your bonsai necessities. You are invited to come to the HBS Study Group event we host every three months. Quality Feed & Garden offers fruit trees, vegetable seeds or plants, and pet, livestock or wild birds for nearly 100 years. Besides organic and synthetic fertilizers, fungicides, and insecticides, we have added soil blends, Boon’s Mix, Ken's Bonsai Soil with Turface, Organic Bonsai Blend with Pine Bark (10 – 50# bags), as well as Akadama, Lava, Pumice, Kanuma, Clay King Aoki, Turface, Expanded Shale, Charcoal and Granite and also bonsai trees and tools, supplies, bonsai pots of all kinds, and "how to" bonsai books. HBS members receive a 10% discount on bonsai purchases.
If you are looking for auspicious Feng Shui flowers and plants to decorate your home, garden and ponds for all occasions year round or just for gifts to friends and families, JRN II got them all, including Christmas trees, wreaths and poinsettias.
The greenhouses are home to countless rare plants and exotic tropical bonsai, aquatic plants for ponds, and the most unusual gifts for all occasions from birthdays, anniversaries, grand openings, house warming parties, Christmas, as well New Year celebrations. Take a stroll in the shop and around the garden to check out the bonsai figurines, boats and pagodas, bonsai supplies, tools and soils as well as bonsai pots, garden statues and Japanese lanterns. You will never know what kind of surprises are waiting for you to take home.
For advice on all plants and bonsai, please ask Thuy Doan.
Visit artist Andrew Sankowski at the Mossrock Studio & Fine Art Gallery for the finest gifts and uniquely beautiful bonsai pots in every shape, form and color. If there is a potter who knows bonsai pots, it’s Andy. He also keeps a greenhouse full of a beautiful bonsai collection.
As a master potter who offers weekly pottery classes, Andy also mixes his own proprietary clay blends and over 100 of his own colored glazes. Bring your unusual trees for him to make unusual personalized pots. Pots as gifts for the upcoming holidays for friends and families, or just for yourself, can be commissioned now. While you are on the tour of gallery and studio, check out the masterpieces of many talented local artists.
Andrew Sankowski 26002 Oak Ridge Drive Direct (281) 684-4411 The Woodlands, TX 77380