Newsletter - July/August 1999
Calendar of Events
This Month's Meeting -Wednesday September 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center 5th and Shady Ave. This month's activity will feature rock carving for applying a trident maple to a rock and directing its roots for root clasping bonsai. The cost will be $10.00 per person per planting. Included in the workshop will be a suitable rock of inland coral or tufa (basalt, lava, feather rock), the can in which to place the composition, a suitable, long rooted trident maple grown just for this kind of activity, necessary wire, plastic sheeting, rubber bands and soil. Persons wishing to participate should bring a small hammer and a ¼" to ½" chisel or flat blade screwdriver to carve the stone. In addition bring a pair of bonsai scissors to cut back the plant after it is attached to the rock.
A nominating committee has been formed to select a slate of officers for the next year. The selection will be presented at the October meeting at which time members wishing to nominate from the floor can do so.
Swissvale Classes: The Society sponsors Free clinic type classes at the Swissvale Senior Citizens Center Tuesday nights from 7 to 9. 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 Monogahela & McClure Aves. For additional information, call Evelyn Christie.
Other Events
As a follow-up to a few comments made a month or so ago about developing bonsai as opposed to buying "finished" or at least well established trees, some decisions must be made, estimates estimated, and timing must be taken into consideration. This month's meeting will show how one of the more dramatic bonsai forms can be accomplished.
I must caution the eager reader not to think this will be a start to finish demo-workshop. In reality, it is only the beginning. Those folks who have looked long and longingly at calendars and pictures and have seen trident maples with their roots flowing down the face of a stone and have wondered how it was done can now be put at ease.
This month's meeting will show and help those interested in a longer term project since to get the roots on the rock properly and well requires some instruction and also some admonition; otherwise a few years of growing well produce, not just failure but frustration and really unsatisfactory results. Some of the elements to be discussed and worked with will concern primarily, root clasping but will touch on root over rock and root in rock and some of the pit falls to avoid if deciding to grow a particular form.
Again let me reiterate, the program is designed for long term growing, say 5 or more years before the tree will be ready for a bonsai pot.
Should any members have rock plantings, please bring them to serve as examples of what and what not to do.
| Species: | Common name: | Burning bush |
| Botanical name: | Euonymous alatus | |
| Japanese name: | Nishikigi | |
| Yoshimura reference: | #218 |
Advantages: Endless: hardy, superior fall color, flowers, fruit in scale, interesting bark, good buttress, fast growing, good for cut and grow method, pinches well, easily rooted.
Disadvantages: Prone to a variety of insects, difficult to prune once new growth hardens off. As with so many bonsai subjects euonymous is not propagated and prepared for bonsai; therefore finding a good subject with which to start training can be hard to locate. Such nursery stock must be cut back and grown on to achieve genuine stylistic success.
Bonsai Potential: On a scale of 1 to 10 perhaps a 7.
Growing location: Full sun; if lest than full sun is provided euonymous tend to get thin and stringy with poor fall color and few if any flowers and fruit.
Watering: Water well, deeply; do not allow to dry out while the root system is fine and can be cut back heavily when repotting. Allow the specimen as much root room as convenient.
Propagation: Primarily from hardened woody cuttings in early spring or late fall.
Fertilizing: Balanced May to September.
Over-wintering: Extremely hardy; keep out of wind, sun. Protect from mice, rabbits, deer.
Styling: Informal, literati, broom, cascade, larger groves, twisted, semi-cascade is particularly appealing
| Species: | Common name: | Persimmon |
| Botanical name: | Diospyros | |
| Japanese name: | Kaki | |
| Yoshimura reference: | #124 |
Advantages: Strictly a fall performer, colorful foliage, colorful fruit in autumn, great bark.
Disadvantages: Hard to propagate, hard to collect, hard to wire; doesn't really do well in a pot, Fruit large in the Japanese form; much smaller fruit in the American variety.
Bonsai Potential: For the bonsai grower who really wants a challenge.
Growing location: Full sun.
Watering: Thorough and deep; do not allow to dry out.
Propagation: Seed, collecting; but the easiest way of getting a good start is to find a wild persimmon and air-layer a branch.
Fertilizing: Balanced.
Over-wintering: Protect from raccoons, foxes, groundhogs. Keep out of winter wind. Summer care: Mulch pot to maintain moisture.
Styling: Informal
