News

September 2023 Newsletter

PO Box 2682, Olympia WA 98507-2682

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

SEPTEMBER MEETING

The September 14th evening meeting will feature a talk by Tony Fajarillo of Bonsai Northwest. The topic will be Rags to Riches: Turning unwanted urban yamadori to desirable bonsai.

Tony discovered bonsai in the 10th grade after seeing bonsai featured in an Architectural Digest magazine while reading at a library in the Philippines. Years later, after moving to the United States and earning a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Tony found himself gravitating towards bonsai again. While working as a Project Manager for a large mechanical contractor, he needed an artistic outlet to balance out a very logic-oriented career. Bonsai was the perfect answer for Tony who is also naturally artistic and loves trees. As Tony’s passion for bonsai continued to grow, he began changing his career from constructing buildings to constructing and designing landscapes in order to spend more time with and be closer to plants and trees. He is currently a partner/owner of Redwood Builders LLC. In 2015, his Mountain Hemlock bonsai was one of the few selected trees from across the country to be displayed at the Artisan’s Cup held at the Portland Art Museum. Tony’s passion for bonsai symbiotically also fuels his passion for creating beautiful gardens. Since 2007, Tony and his company have created ten award-winning gardens at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, where he has incorporated bonsai into his garden designs. A past President at the Puget Sound Bonsai Association, he currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Pacific Bonsai Museum and started the organization, Bonsai Assisted Mindfulness (BAM).

SEPTEMBER WORKSHOP

The Saturday workshop on September 23rd is an open workshop. Bring your trees to work on and collaborate with other club members on their trees too. At this time of year, we should be looking at fall trimming and candle selection.

⭐ Workshop volunteers are always needed. Help is needed every month opening and closing the room at the North Olympia Fire Station, contact gerryokeefe@mac.com if you want to pitch in. If you would like to do a presentation at a workshop please let Joe K or a board member know. You can do so by writing an email to the club email address olympiabonsaiclub@gmail.com.

CARVING WORKSHOP RESCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 24th: 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 Sunday, September 24, from 10 AM - 2 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, email the club at olympiabonsaiclub@gmail.com with CARVING WORKSHOP in the subject line to secure your spot.

SEPTEMBER BONSAI CARE, from Joe K

September signals the early beginning of our fall and depending on the year we may have fall weather or an Indian summer. If you follow forecasters this year we are supposed to have a wet fall. In any case, the most important thing is to resume a healthy fertilization routine. I like to use a balanced organic fertilizer throughout most of the year but in the fall, I go to a heavy dose of liquid-based fertilizer, because it is fast acting and is absorbed quickly by the plant and goes to work immediately. You might still use the slow-release granular based fertilizer, but augment it with the liquid chemical fertilizer also remembering to use it in proportion's roughly 50% strength and continue that regimen until there is a hard frost or the leaves have dropped off of the deciduous trees.

After a hot summer the plants are now coming out of their semi-dormant summer phase and are going to begin pushing hard until they go into their winter dormancy. This natural process causes the tree to begin swelling and forming spring buds. If you still have wire on you need to check daily and remove any wire that may be cutting into the wood, this is especially important for any soft wood trees and any juvenile trees.

In late September and early October is the time to start reducing the number of candles on your pines from three-plus to two and that also applies to many of our trees which are really bushes, i.e. Azaleas. The reduction of the grow tips will build ramification of your tree and compact the growth.

If you have received or purchased a tree and you are truly unsure of the particular growth habits of that tree, it is always an option to seek professional advice and schedule a 1 on 1 session. Most professionals are booked out weeks in advance during the spring and fall, but it never hurts to try. Professional advice can be costly, but in most cases it is well worth the time and money.

SOIL PARTY!

Before the October rains start, it’s time to prepare some more bags of club mix and white pumice so that we have enough for the late winter/spring repotting season. Mark September 17th on your calendar. As an incentive to get more club members to help with soil sifting and blending, you will get one free bag of white pumice or soil mix if you come to help out on the 17th. The party will be at Kent’s house, so email Kent R at warlordkentax@gmail.com for his address if you’d like to participate.

As a reminder, soil sizes that work for most trees are between 1/8 and 1/4 inch.

LAVA/SOIL/PUMICE ORDER

If you need lava rock, pre-sifted pumice, or 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, returned bags are worth $1 against the price of your next bag of soil!

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