LAST MONTH'S MEETING:Kevin Haughey gave an interesting and informative talk on insects and what to do about them. Thanks, Kevin, we appreciate having club members help out with programs!
THIS MONTH'S MEETING: The meeting date has been changed. Instead of being on April 11 as originally planned, due to Kelley Adkin's schedule, we've been forced to change the meeting to one week later, April 18. PLEASE REMEMBER. The meeting is on FRIDAY, APRIL 18 at 7pm at the Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center. As noted above, our guest speaker will be Kelley Adkins. Kelley has entertained us in the past with well-attended programs. This month, he will be presenting a demonstration of a rock planting using Shimpaku juniper. Kelley will also be providing excellent materials for his workshop to be held on SATURDAY, APRIL 19 at The Phipps Conservatory (Botany Hall) from 9am to noon. The workshop will be cascade style juniper procumbens nana. Kelley has been developing the materials for several years and the trees promise to be beautiful. The cost of the workshop will be $50. You may bring an appropriate cascade pot if you have one, or Evelyn Christie will have a selection available for sale. Please sign up at the meeting or call Bob Grealish.
SPOTLIGHT TREES:Anything that's blooming or budding would be nice! Also rock plantings or anything in a cascade style.
NEXT MONTH'S MEETING: The May meeting will be held on May 21 at the Garden Center and will be our 3rd annual auction. The club will accept all donations of bonsai related materials (trees, tools, books, pots, etc) or other Oriental items that you'd like to donate. There will also be a bazaar, where members may offer their items for sale directly to other club members. More detailed information will follow in next month's newsletter.
MORE SPRING CHORES: Here's a few random tips for those of you just getting started. Spring is one of the favorite times for growing bonsai. It's great to see the new leaves and candles poking out through the snow (well, hopefully not, but Philadelphia got 9 inches this week!) It's a good idea to start fertilizing early, even though the trees are starting out on energy stored in their trunks. Don't prune heavily now. Be careful not to let new leaves (e.g., maples) get frosted. Also, provide them with some shade. Without leaves on the overhead trees, the sun can occasionally burn your bonsai in the spring and they will have ugly leaves. Watch the watering carefully. The trees need for water will be uneven, and you will have to check each pot daily. If you feel the need to spray for insects, Sunspray oil would be a good choice (8 tbsp/gallon spray.) Don't use other oils (dormant oil) or harsh chemicals on the new buds. Protect your newly potted trees by putting them on damp ground in full shade and out of the wind until they start growing. Don't fertilize them for a month, and don't overwater them. This is also a good time to add to your collection. You will have opportunities to get material at our auction in May and at the Spring Bonsai Weekend in June. And if you can make it, the juniper cascade workshop this month with Kelley Adkins will give you the opportunity to add an excellent bonsai to your collection and learn a lot at the same time. Remember..This Bud's for You!
LAST CHANCE...LAST CHANCE...LAST CHANCE...LAST CHANCE...LAST CHANCE
Annual dues for the PBS are $18.00 (single), $32.00 (family), payable before April 1, l996. Please make checks payable to "Pittsburgh Bonsai Society" and send with the following form to Rose Grealish or bring both to the next meeting.