President’s Message

Mar 1

March 2025

It was nice to see last month’s Tree Improvements Program come off very successfully, with our club responding well and many members bringing in their trees for critical discussion and future improvements. A big thanks must go out to Elliot and Mehrdad for handling the program so professionally. Everyone who brought in a tree for discussion had their tree reviewed; no one was left out. In addition, our third Thursday workshop had many new members working on their trees, making the changes that were reviewed at our Tree Improvement Program that evening.

This is what a bonsai club is meant to do: encourage new members to reach out and take those necessary steps forward in refining their trees progressively. Juan Cruz has announced that a new beginners' class will begin again in April. As in the past, you will need to contact Juan for enrollment, and a $20.00 charge up front will secure your spot in the class. Yes, the club will provide all class members with a one-gallon tree to work on, plus an extended three-month class reviewing bonsai basics during our third Thursday meetings. This is a great way to continue your bonsai knowledge and working skills. Even if you have taken the class before, you can always expose yourself to new ideas to put into practice. Remember, repetition is the key to rewarding consistency.

We must congratulate our own John (JT) Thompson for receiving a special honorary plaque at this past meeting for his 40 years of service to our club. No one is more deserving and has given so much back to our club and members over the years than John. Thanks, John; you’re the best, and here's to 40 more!

For Our First Thursday Meeting

Over the years, no one has been more reliable than Bob Shimon of Mendocino Coast Bonsai as a vendor of collected bonsai trees and pots at all our shows. Bob and his son Zack have canvassed the coastal mountain areas where they live, looking for those special collected trees we all enjoy and covet. One of the special trees they collect is the Mendocino Pygmy Cypress, which they specialize in offering. This is the tree Bob will be sharing with us this first Thursday evening.

We first got a taste of this very interesting tree from Sam Tan in his program this past November. Bob will be coming down to share his Pygmy Cypress tree skills with us, highlighting the many special features of this tree and the importance of being very careful when initially repotting it. If you love this incredible tree as I do and wish to have one in the future, Bob will cover everything you need to know about working with this rare and unique cypress that only grows in this area of the world.

Also, we're hoping that Bob will be bringing down a few of these trees for members to purchase and take home. But don’t be surprised; these little trees are expensive, but very rewarding once developed.

Our Club Workshop, Third Thursday Meeting

This will be a normal club workshop that evening, but make sure you have everything you'll need for what you want to do with your tree. Our senior club members will assist you when you need help or certain tools you may not have.

After our recent rains and now warmer weather, we should see our trees starting to slowly come back to life with the emergence of new buds and leaves—a perfect time to visually see and enjoy the beauty of this season with our trees. Also, our trees are counting on us to ensure they are regularly watered and that we start the fertilizing process. Stay with it, club members; your trees are counting on you!

Enjoy this month of March doing bonsai, everyone! 🌳