Wednesday January 20, at 7:00 p.m., at the Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center 5th and Shady Ave. Vice-president and program chairman, Mark Wazenegger, a professional photographer, will demonstrate some of the intricacies of photographing bonsai to bring out their best features.
In Memorium: Ralph Lang
For those who did not attend last month's meeting, long time Pittsburgh Bonsai Society member Ralph Lang died December 12. Ralph single-handedly brought more members to bonsai in Pittsburgh than anyone else, but more importantly he showed, led, educated, provided to everyone he met. No one in the craft ever has had the enthusiasm for bonsai that Ralph possessed. He traveled, researched, sought out any one and anything concerning bonsai. He served in every office; and he started the Tuesday night class now held at the Swissvale Senior Center,
Of late Ralph lost his sight and his means of getting around. His thoughts and conversation were always on bonsai. He gave it all. He is survived by his sister, Orla, also a member of the Society.
Other Events
February 17th program to be announced
1999 Dues
Membership dues for 1999 are being accepted. Members wishing to send their dies by mail should mail a check to Pittsburgh Bonsai Society, 1419 La Clair Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15218.
What can be said of bonsai in January? Since I have two polyhouses, on a sunny day, I open them up; I sometimes have to dig the snow sway from the doors. The snow scrapes under the door and as I step in I inhale spring. Even with everything frozen the air sems fresh but earthy and alive.
On other days, during a thaw, for example, I like to see the water condensed on the poly. Should the wind blow, the poly shudders and thousands of drops fall on the sleeping plants. How they glisten! Hoar frost grows on every needle and twig.
These thoughts make me feel sorry for any bonsai enthusiast without a polyhouse.
| Species: | Common name: | Winter flowering Jasmine |
| Botanical name: | Jasminum nudiflorum | |
| Japanese name: | Obai | |
| Yoshimura reference: | #224 |
Varieties: In the northern tier of states jasmine is not hardy enough for conventional bonsai culture except in a tropical greenhouse. However, the nudiflorum jasmine is marginally hardy
Advantages: A small viney shrub, winter flowering jasmine when kept in a polyhouse until February then brought in will hold its blossoms for several weeks. Its four petal yellow blossoms on rather angular twigs brighten up a drab winter day
Disadvantages: The winter jasmine grows only into a small twiggy plant, unlike larger flowering forms. Large specimens can be found from Virginia south. Also it tends to send out numerous shoots from the buttress. These must be cut off as they appear.
Bonsai Potential: As a classic: As a subdominant planting and for a few weeks in winter it performs well but as an archetypal bonsai, it isn't.
Growing location: Keep in full sun but moderate shade in July and August.
Watering: The jasmine requires ample water. In hot weather it must not be allowed to become dry. Its leaves will drop and branches will die back.
Propagation: By cuttings and by division or by ground layering.
Fertilizing: Even, balanced application May to September every two weeks.
Over-wintering: Mulch closely around the buttress and keep out of sun and wind. A polyhouse with the jasmine nestled under larger plants would be ideal.
Styling: Clump style but extremely effective as a forest on large rocks or saikei.
| Species: | Common name: | Flowering Quince |
| Botanical name: | Chaenomeles lagenaria | |
| Japanese name: | Boke | |
| Yoshimura reference: | #25 |
Varieties: A variety of hybrids can be found in the trade: Jet Trail, Texas Scarlet, the Japanese favorite: toyo nishiki, possessing three colors, and the dwarf form chochobai all perform well.
Advantages: Full flowering, hardy; ease of propagation; readily available; good late winter flowering.
Disadvantages: Cannot be allowed to have low moisture level; must br repotted and cut back severly; large vegetative roots must be removed in favor of finer roots; suckers must be removed as they appear.
Bonsai Potential: As a clump it excels; as a single trunk it fails. It flowers such a brief time and looks so ratty the rest of the year.
Growing location: Full sun
Watering: Requires ample water
Propagation: Cuttings, layering, division
Fertilizing: Balanced, every two weeks May to September.
Over-wintering: Extra hardy, no real protection needed. Blossoms are frost hardy.
Styling: Gnarled, clump style, angular shohin and accessory uses.