This Month's Meeting - : this is the 4th Wednesday March 24, at 7:00 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center 5th and Shady Ave. Several members will present a program on collecting, covering desirable species, digging techniques, and proper after care.
Other Events
March 20 - See directions and pictures below.
Tuesday evening class - The Society sponsors free clinic type classes beginning March 9th through June 29th at the Swissvale Senior Citizens Center, Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. These classes are arranged by Anna Clark and conducted by Keith Scott. There is no better way to learn the art of bonsai. The center is located on the ground floor of the Swissvale Library at the corner of Monongahela & McClure Ave. For additional information, call Evelyn Christie 412-244-9280. Everyone interested in learning is WELCOME
April 21st - Spring Clinic
May 14th - Demonstration
May 15th - Workshop
June 5 & 6 - Spring Show
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.
A Word from the President
In like a lion and out like a lamb, let us hope so. It seems to me that winter arrived around the first of March, but my trees don't seem to mind. The sap is flowing, a sure sign that Spring is just around the corner.
The February meeting was a great success. Thanks to Don Gould for his expert guidance and for getting the supplies and equipment organized. Thanks in advance to Keith Scott for firing the pots we made at the meeting. There was quite a variety and everyone had a good time making them.
Try to make the collecting trip this month. There are some nice hawthorns at this site. If you can't make the trip try to get to the meeting. We will be bringing some of the collected material in for the discussion on collecting. The discussion will cover species, technique, and after care.
Start thinking about a tree to bring to the April, free for all, clinic. This is a great chance for members to share ideas. Evelyn will have her supplies available for purchase.
We have some new (revived) activities at meetings that you won't want to miss.
I look forward to seeing all of you on the trip and/or at the meeting.
March 20th Collecting Trip
Those wanting to attend the March collecting trip should be at the Garden Center by 8:00am on Saturday March the 20th. The group will leave promptly at 8:00, caravan style, to meet the Morgantown group at the WVU greenhouse. From there we'll proceed together to the collecting site.
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The photo on the right is an example of the type of material you can expect. It is very well camouflaged, but if you look closely you'll see a large caliper hawthorn with lots of character. On the left is a hawthorn collected at the site five years ago. There is some nice material there for those who are interested.
For anyone who wants to travel on their own, here are directions to the WVU greenhouse. You need to be there by 9:30am
C. T WVU Greenhouse Via I-79:
For anyone who wants to try meeting at the site, here are directions.
B. Take 79 south to I-68:
As a sometime teacher and still instructing, teaching being a far too weighty word for what I do, I look back on those not so halcyon days and lament that I had to repeat, and repeat to the point of dullness and dreariness. Such can be said of these monthly musings. March has come, rebirth, renewal. The things to be done are many, the time short. In the popular parlance the "window of opportunity" is open (?) so some planing must be done. If repotting is to be done start with the early budders and end with the later ones; for example, crab apple, privet, honeysuckle bud out first and should be repotted first since they are among the tougher trees and therefore impervious to spring's contrasts. Check the swelling buds and be sure they are getting larger before root pruning. Styling can start but do not cut back trees that may blossom; wait until the blossoms have faded and style as necessary. Maples, elms and the other deciduous trees should follow in the pruning, potting schedule. More will be said about specific trees as the season progresses.
| Species: | Common name: | Andromeda |
| Botanical name: | Pieris japonica | |
| Japanese name: | Asebi | |
| Varieties: | Good nurseries and garden centers will stock numerous varieties selections. | |
| Yoshimura reference: | #13, 96 |
Advantages: Unusual panicled, complex flowers and equally attractive fall color followed by striking flower buds; small, waxey leaves; exfoliating bark; superior twisted, flowing form with excellent buttress formation; blossoms early, flowers frost resistant.
Disadvantages: Subject to root rot but also since it is a peat-loving plant, it has a complex, fibrous root system; temperamental about location; buggy! See note below.
Bonsai Potential: 4 on a scale of 1-10
Growing location: Filtered sun or northern exposure; keep out of wind; protect from winter sun.
Watering: Well drained soil, soil evenly damp but not soggy; hard to judge.
Propagation: Take soft cuttings with a heel in mid-summer; keep shaded
Fertilizing: Balanced May to September; watch for chlorosis, increase nitrogen or iron chelate.
Over-wintering: Treat as an azalea: shaded, no wind, sun; northern exposure or protection from south.
Styling: Cascade, semi-cascade, informal upright.
NOTE: Like an azalea, the andromeda is subject to aphids, whitefly, scale, mites, lacebugs. Spray the undersides of leaves with a broad spectrum insecticide beginning in June.
| Species: | Common name: | None |
| Botanical name: | Magnolia | |
| Japanese name: | Shi-mokuren | |
| Varieties: | ("Smaller" leafed, flowered varieties) liliflora, kobus, sellata, Liliput (rare) | |
| Yoshimura reference: | #267, 91, 151,69 |
Advantages: Spectacular flowers, buds, contorted branching; hardy; grows well in a container; beautiful bark.
Disadvantages: Terribly subject to large oyster shell scale; tends to sucker; leaves tend to burn in full sun; can be subject to chlorosis; to be exhibited only when in flower or in bud; leaves and flowers large. Needs abundant water.
Bonsai Potential: 5 on a scale of 1-10.
Growing location: Full sun in summer but must have partial or filtered shade in hot, dry conditions.
Watering: Use a semi-deep pot or water thoroughly and often.
Propagation: Hard wood cuttings; air layer
Fertilizing: Balanced in summer; if yellowing occurs in the leaves, increase nitrogen; in August decrease nitrogen and increase potash.
Over-wintering: Keep out of winter sun, wind. Protect from frost when in flower.
Styling: Informal upright.