February 2024

To start out this month, I would like to thank our own John Thompson for presenting the fine repotting program he gave last month. In addition, we had many members in attendance that evening who appreciated John's timely repotting examples and suggestions for working on their own bonsai trees maybe for the first time. This information shared especially with our new members will help them understand the necessary procedures and materials required to refresh our trees with new lasting bonsai soil. A good job done for the year and your trees will thank you for it.

Starting off this New Year, our club has a problem to solve, but really it's a good problem. If you have noticed for the past few meetings our attendance has exploded, with new members and others who are interested in attending our meetings. It is a blessing to see this happening! At the same time, we who take the lead in the club are presented with those who need help with their new trees as they bring them into the meetings. I hope we can accommodate everyone who needs help. Please don't think you are being overlooked when things get busy.

In addition, we are faced with trying to remember many new member's names. I know that this is a problem we need to solve, because, we want to develop a personal relationship with everyone we see at each meeting.

To help everyone out with this challenge, our club is asking that everyone to stop by the entry table at the door, grab a self-printed nametag, and apply it to your clothing. This is a new policy we need to start for this year. So please, take the time as you enter the facility and fill out a name tag and apply it to your shirt area. We all will be happier for it!

March: A Beginners Bonsai Class

Yes it's true, starting at our third Thursday meeting in March, Juan Cruz will once again start a beginners bonsai class and workshop. All new club members are welcome to attend and share in this three-month program. The class will begin at 7:45pm each third Thursday meeting and conclude around 9:00pm. There will be a $10.00 fee up front charge, payable to John Thompson, which will provide everyone with a pre-bonsai type tree of a gallon size container. You must sign up by the first meeting in March, and bring what tools and wire you have to each meeting. Juan is a trained bonsai artist, and as your teacher, he can get you started with the basic knowledge needed to give you the confidence for your future bonsai Journey. So please, take advantage of this once a year opportunity!

February’s Program

Every year at this time our club presents a “Tree Improvement Program" designed for all club members to bring in a tree about which they have questions. Our own Carl Morimoto and Drew Tucker will lead this meeting, and they will be up front handing the various questions you have regarding the trees you bring in and present to the club. Also, this will be an open discussion with all club members in attendance for your suggestions and ideas regarding the trees being discussed. Questions such as: your trees planting angle, have you chosen the best front, are your trees branches properly placed and at the right angle, what kind of pot might you choose, should you develop shari or deadwood in areas, is your tree planted at the right depth; these and many more questions will be asked and suggestions will be offered that evening.

Maybe you're stumped as to what you need to do next to your bonsai tree for further development and styling. We all need help at times, especially if you are new to bonsai. Everyone, bring in those bonsai trees, we all can help you take your tree to the next level with a multitude of personal suggestions.

This is a great way to start out our new 2024 club's bonsai season, with the kind of help and support we all can give. Everyone who brings in a tree will need to stop by the back desk and be given a number that designates your turn to bring up your tree for discussion. 🌳