Editor’s Notes
March 2023
2024 Show Flier Ideas
By Tung X. Dao
Hey everyone, your newsletter editor and resident graphic designer here. With the show date set, I would like to start designing our club’s show flyer for this year. Think of some themes that we could dedicate the show to. They could be words, phrases, people, whatever. Feel free to bounce some ideas off to me and we’ll see what we can create! If you would like to illustrate something, we can work with that, too.
2024 Pacific Bonsai Expo: Submissions are Open
By Jonas Dupuich
Originally published online at https://bonsaitonight.com/2024/02/23/2024-pbe-submissions-are-open/
If you’re thinking about submitting to the 2024 Pacific Bonsai Expo, now’s the time!
We’re accepting submissions through April 30 so the deadline’s a ways off, but now is a good time to take pictures of any deciduous bonsai you’re thinking of submitting as we’ll need photos of these trees without leaves. Maples, plums, ume, and elms are already leafing out in Northern California so time is limited.
Here’s what you need to know about submitting to the Expo.
We’ve expanded the jury this year to include five outstanding jurors: Bjorn Bjorholm, Dave De Groot, Michael Hagedorn, Todd Schlafer, and Expo board member Eric Schrader. These jurors will evaluate all submitted trees and provide their scores to the organizers who will tally the results and notify the submitters. We expect to announce the results in May or June.
The Expo will feature the same judging categories as last year plus three new categories: XL conifers, XL broadleaf evergreens, and XL deciduous bonsai. The line between the large and extra large categories will be trees with a combined height and width of approximately 64″. Trees smaller than a combined 64″ will be shown on 6′ tables in the large category. Trees larger than a combined 64″ will be displayed on 8′ tables in the extra large category.
The jury showed a strong preference last time for trees that were wired and/or styled beautifully (they didn’t opt for shaggy trees), and trees that were photographed well (good lighting, clean background). Help your submissions stand out by following these two tips!
If you have questions about your submission, feel free to write the organizers. You can find complete instructions for submitting at the Call for Entries page on the Expo website. 🌳
Letters to the Editor
Hello Midori,
I have too much red lava and pumice that I am unable to use all of it. Since we are still in repotting season, I thought some of you might need the soil for repotting. These are great to mix or use as a single component.
Please let me know if you need any of those. You can reach me at 650-380-5852
Thank you
Best regards,
Mehrdad Chavosh
Upcoming Shows from other clubs
The Re-styling of John Naka’s California Juniper Bonsai
Text and photos By George Haas
Originally published online at https://www.rebsbonsai.org/the-re-styling-of-john-nakas-california-juniper-bonsai/
Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) Item #146
California Juniper (Juniperus californica)
Date of acquisition
1999
Height
45 inches
Style
Informal upright
Donated by
John Naka
This tree was collected in 1989 from the northwest end of the California Mojave Desert referred to as the Sand Canyon.
The Mojave Desert is an arid region located in southeastern California with portions in Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. The environment has little or no rain, too dry or barren to support much vegetation and hot climate. The climate experiences extreme variations in daily temperatures, frequent winter frosts and averages annual precipitation of two to six inches (50 to 150 mm). The Mojave has mountain-and-basin topography, and sparse vegetation which includes California juniper (Juniperus californica), creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), burroweed (Isocoma tenuisecta), and occasional cacti (mostly species of Cholla). Named after the Mojave people. The Mojave Desert occupies more than 25,000 square miles (65,000 square km). [Source: Britannica]
John Naka is referred to as the father of North American bonsai for his efforts to promote the living art of bonsai throughout the U.S. He was present and spoke at the grand opening of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, on November 6, 1999. Naka collected some extraordinary California junipers from the Mojave Desert for bonsai.
From time to time, all legacy bonsai trees such as this John Naka California juniper must undergo re-styling as they continue to grow and increase in foliage mass. BGLM volunteers Samuel Tan and Addison Galambos undertake the task of re-styling this iconic bonsai. It will take several days to clean, prune, wire, and shape the large California juniper. 🌳
John Naka California juniper after re-styling (January 2024).
Show Tree Highlight
UPCOMING Club Events PROGRAMS
Adam Toth—Shohin
Thursday, March 7, 2024, 7:30pm
Midori Bonsai Club
This meeting will be presented by our own Carl Morimoto and Drew Tucker. They will be up front handing the various questions you have regarding the trees you bring in and present to the club. Bring in a tree that you have questions and we’ll discuss it as a group. Everyone who brings in a tree will be given a number that designates your turn to bring up your tree for discussion.
OPEN WORKSHOP
Thursday March 21, 2024, 7:30PM
Midori Bonsai Club
This is an open workshop. Bring in your trees and we’ll help you with any questions you may have. There will be a board meeting at 6:30pm, an hour before our regular meeting time.
Beginner’s Workshop
Thursday March 21, April 18, May 16, 2024, 7:30PM
Midori Bonsai Club
Juan Cruz will begin our 2024 Beginner’s Workshop. This is an excellent way to get started in bonsai for completely new beginners through intermediate artists who want additional material and training. A 10 dollar fee is payable to John Thompson for materials. Sign up by the first Thursday of March to be included in this program.
Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival
Saturday and Sunday, April 27-28 2024
Quinlan Community Center
Our club has been given a wonderful opportunity to showcase our talents at the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival. We will be presenting a small two-day show that will allow us to share our passion with the festival attendees. The Cherry Blossom Festival is a celebration of beauty, nature, and culture. Please be a part of it by bringing some trees to show or helping out by representing our club.
Midori 61st Annual Bonsai Show
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Quinlan Community Center
Our club’s 61st annual show has been scheduled. Get those trees ready. It will be here sooner than we think! 🌳
UPCOMING BONSAI EVENTS
For an up-to-date list, check out the Golden State Bonsai Federation events page.
Pacific Bonsai Expo
October 26-27, 2024, Oakland, California
pacificbonsaiexpo.org
The Pacific Bonsai Expo is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, formed in 2023. We aim to promote bonsai learning, and encourage bonsai practice and display at a high level. The organization runs a biannual bonsai show with entries from around the United States juried by a panel of accomplished artists. Accepted exhibitors for each show become the judging panel. PBE believes that by promoting bonsai excellence that more people will be inspired to learn and create bonsai. 🌳
