News

August 2023 Newsletter

PO Box 2682, Olympia WA 98507-2682

www.olympiabonsai.org *** https://www.facebook.com/OlympiaBonsaiClub/

AUGUST - NO MEETING

We hope you are all having a great summer and that your trees are thriving in the fabulous weather. See you in September.

AUCTION REPORT

The July Auction was a success! Special thanks to Logan H for leading the volunteers. Boo to COVID for taking Sam L down for the count only a few days before the auction. It takes many volunteers to run the auction, thanks also to Cole , Kent, Darrell, Matt, Gerry, Eduardo, Rich, Dennis, Jeff. There were 18 sellers and 89 items sold. The club netted over $1,222. Thanks also to the many donations made to the Club.

LATE BREAKING OPPORTUNITY: Carving Workshop with Eric and Victrinia Ridgeway

People of the Twisted Tree, do you have a "problem" branch that would work better as a Jin, but just any-old-Jin won't do? Interested in turning heads with your tree's deadwood? Eric and Victrinia Ridgeway will be graciously leading a carving workshop for club members on Friday, August 18, from 4 - 7 PM at the Lacey Community Center's Outdoor Shelter Area. The cost is $80, payable day-of by cash/check/card. This is a BYOT (bring your own tree) situation, and while tools will be provided for those who do not have a dremel or die grinder, if you do have one it is suggested that you bring it. While not mandatory, bringing your own safety glasses and earplugs is highly recommended. Space is limited. If you're interested in attending, please email the club at olympiabonsaiclub@gmail.com with CARVING WORKSHOP in the subject line to secure your spot.

SUMMER: GETTING AHEAD OF THE CURVE FOR FALL & WINTER, courtesy of Joe K

Well as they say the heat is on. Back in May when water was plentiful, and we had the cool weather we thought that summer might never come but here she is in our face. I hope all is well with your trees and everyone is enjoying the summer. I do very little with my trees during the hot period of the summer which for me is mid-July till about mid-September. That doesn't mean I have stopped all work on my trees. I'm still busy pinching Junipers and in some cases cutting leaves off of deciduous trees when needed but the heavy work is just around the corner.

I'm dealing with a new challenge as I write this article. I have two bonsai display benches with approximately 25 plants which I have maintained for about 25 years and over the years I have adjusted the types of plants as well as the positioning of the plants to get the most benefit for the health of the plants. About two years ago, three rather large ornamental cherry trees in the green belt in the vicinity of my benches began to slowly die and finally this past week our association came in and removed the trees. This immediately opened up the areas around the benches with more sunlight than the plants were used to. So now I am on a new learning curve. Moving plants around and adjusting their placement and it dawned on me that this is going to take at least a full year to realize the impact of the removal of those three trees.

In just a few weeks things are going to really begin to pick up with fall and winter approaching. So that we can devote the maximum time to our trees this fall, here is a short list of things I try to do in August and September to get ahead of the curve.

Prepare your soil mixtures. For each of the components of your soil mixtures, wash, dry, screen out the dust, separate into the desired sizes that you use, and then create your mixes. Like I said in the past, I use three mixtures: Deciduous, Pines and Junipers, and Azaleas and accent plants, and that works for me.

Wash all your new pots and those from spring repotting that have not been cleaned, using a mild solution of soap and water with a bit of Clorox in it to clean and sanitize the pots. After drying them thoroughly, put them away for the next repotting season..

Inventory your tools, clean, sanitize and sharpen them, removing any rust that may have formed and lightly oil everything.

Go through all of your spray bottles and discard any chemicals by taking them to the hazardous waste disposal site. Pay close attention to expiration dates and ensure that they are being stored correctly and at ideal temperatures.

Inventory wire and order what you need now. It's fairly easy to find wire now but not the same can be said in the late winter and early spring.

Go hunting at the nurseries for bargains on plants. Discards and sales are where you find the best candidates, then take them home and give them some TLC till spring.

To be prepared for the winter, do you have the mulch you need and is your winter tree protection suitable for any new additions that you may have.

These are just a few things that I try to get done while the weather is warm and dry. I'm sure each of you could add to this list. See everybody in September.

LAVA/SOIL/PUMICE ORDER

Running low on ingredients to repot your trees? The club now offers not only lava rock but pre-sifted pumice and bags of pre-mixed soil. Please contact Kent R. and make arrangements to pick it up directly from him (971-236-3641 or warlordkentax@gmail.com.)

PLEASE RETURN YOUR EMPTIED LAVA BAGS TO KENT FOR RE-USE

2023 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September Meeting

9/14 7PM / Lacey Community Center

September Workshop

9/23 10 AM - 2PM / North Olympia Fire Station

October Meeting

10/12 7PM / Lacey Community Center

October Workshop

10/21 10 AM - 2PM / North Olympia Fire Station

November Meeting

11/9 7PM / Lacey Community Center

November Workshop

11/18 10 AM - 2PM / North Olympia Fire Station

December Meeting

Date TBD - Mauro Stemberger, Italian Bonsai Artist

Officers

President - Sam L.

Vice President - Darrell A.

Secretary - Kent R.

Treasurer - Eduardo M.

Workshop Volunteer Coordinator

Gerry O.

Past President

Gerry O.

Board of Directors

Cole N.

Logan H.

Matt C.

Librarian

Volunteer Needed

Webmaster