December Meeting/Holiday Party
December 15 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Members and immediate family welcome!
We’ll be meeting at our usual location at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Join us at 6:15 PM for set-up.
Out of respect for members that continue to want to protect against this seasonal rise in Covid infections, this year’s Holiday Party will again serve drinks and finger-foods outside before we go inside at 8 PM for our other evening activities. Beverages can be brought inside.
How to Participate
- Bring finger food such as an appetizer or dessert that serves 6 to 8 people. Roast turkey, ham, soft drinks, wine, tea, coffee, and hot cider will be club provided.
- Bring a holiday themed decorated bonsai for a special “Show and Tell.”
- Bring your credit card or checkbook (no cash sales) and bid in the Silent Auction. We will offer an array of bonsai tools, pots, books, wire, and other interesting items. Contact Lynne O’Dell if you have an item of value (over $30) to donate to the silent auction.
- Bring a gift that is wrapped and valued at $25 or more to participate in our Holiday Gift “Select or Steal” Game (aka a white elephant game). All attendees may join the fun! Bonsai-related items or Japanese art are usually preferred by club members but other items like wine and chocolate are also appreciated.
Monthly Tasks
This month: December Tasks
Each month there are a number of tasks you need to do to your bonsai – from repotting, to fertilizing to spraying for pests. We have put together a checklist, customized for the San Francisco Bay Area to help you. This checklist is adapted from earlier work by Mitsuo Umehara.
Planning Ahead for January's Meeting
At our January meeting Richard Phillips will lead a workshop turning Dwarf Alberts Spruce trees into bonsai. These trees are commonly sold at this time of year in 1-gallon containers as small Christmas Trees. If you'd like to participate in the January workshop Richard is encouraging members to buy a tree this month. For more details see Richard Phillips – Dwarf Alberta Spruce Styling.
Potting Parties
We usually have two or three Potting Parties each year. This year we have two scheduled -
February Meeting - Deciduous Bonsai Winter Celebration
We may not think of Winter as a time to celebrate the beauty of our deciduous bonsai, but it's a prime time to admire their bare trunks and branch structure. The February program will be a chance for you to display your favorite deciduous bonsai in a form that we usually don't get to see at our Spring show. And to make this a true celebration, how about an expanded snack table featuring some creative Valentine's Day-themed treats to munch while touring the displayed trees. Heart-shaped cupcakes anyone? More details to follow, but start thinking about what tree you might want to show and while you're at it, find a recipe for a snack table "treat."
Recap of Our November Meeting with Phil Richardson
Phil Richardson brought with him a number of trees, almost all collected by him. They filled three tables across the front of the room. In addition to a number of styled and unstyled lodgepole pines, he also brought root-over-rock trees, including a maple in fall color, an olive, and a Japanese black pine.
Phil really knows his lodgepole pines, which he says are somewhat like Japanese black pines but don’t need so much work like cutting candles and pulling needles. Lodgepole pines are much more flexible than JBPs and have very short needles.
Phil suggested we check out the Nevada County Bonsai Club Facebook Page to see a video on how he digs up a lodgepole pine. it’s a terrific video.
It takes quite a long time to dig an Utah juniper and survival rate has been declining, down to 20%. Survival rate for lodgepole pines is 85%. He recommends them for a number of reasons, including their simplicity, grace, slim trunk, and foliage near the top. They lend themselves to literati and cascade designs. Scott Chad recommends waiting 3-4 years after collecting before working. but Phil has found that waiting can be reduced to a few weeks.
You never know what the tree wants to do, says Phil. They do many things. “I have a cascading raft forest!” Phil boasts. All of Phil’s collected trees were growing in volcanic pumice, and so he recommends that they be put in pumice after collecting. He also advised that when you eventually put them in a bonsai pot, leave out the akadama.
His process for digging out a tree is relatively simple: clear the duff about 12 inches around, about a foot down there’s bigger pumice. Go straight down with a sharpened spade, cut tap root about a foot down, pop it out. Wrap immediately with plastic wrap. Usually, Phil collects in October at about 8,000 feet. Back home, he leaves them to grow under the shade of oak trees.
I don’t work on a tree until I see new growth. I don’t fertilize until I see new growth.
Phil Richardson
As he styled the demo tree, he had a running commentary on his process: “I wire all the branches before deciding to remove anything.” Often he doesn’t remove anything. He prefers using aluminum wire because it is cheaper and can be reused and so he can reposition branches whenever he sees a better design - today, tomorrow, maybe two months from now.
Generally speaking, the longer needles are at the top, the shorter near the bottom. After wiring the tips of all branches should be pointing upwards..
Check for borers (small holes in the bark) and if you have them treat the tree with imidacloprid - a systemic insecticide. One easily purchased form is Bayer Tree & Shrub granules. Note: there is some evidence that this insecticide is contributing to honey bee colony collapse so use it carefully.
After waiting a few weeks following collecting to allow the tree to recover he begins by wiring the tree completely. Pines are vey flexible so very dramatic bends can be made to bring out the drama of the tree.
Next Day Workshop
In the workshop the next day, those of us lucky enough to be there wired the trees we purchased from him. Phil then showed us how to style the trees. None of us had had any experience with lodgepole pines and were amazed at how flexible they are. Phil knew how far he could push the bends (very far) and the designs. We loved the radical, sometimes even crazy moves he made. No cookie cutter trees here. And no “first branch, back branch” language for what he does. There are no words for what he does with a tree, and no secret instructions for how to work out each idiosyncratic design. He just followed his instincts, or the tree’s instinct, letting each tree tell him somehow through his hands how radically he could develop the design. We were sold on the advantages of lodgepoles for bonsai.
We left with a Phil Richardson collected and styled lodgepole. Educated and entertained by the wit and wisdom of Phil Richardson of Moonshine Ranch Bonsai, we couldn’t have been happier. Thanks much to Lynne O’Dell for discovering Phil and bringing him to us.
Sonoma Botanical Garden presents -
Living Sculptures: The Art & Science of Bonsai
by Nina Sazevich
Dear Friends and Volunteers of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt
Experience a world of serene beauty and intricate craftsmanship as Sonoma Botanical Garden (SBG), in partnership with the Redwood Empire Bonsai Society (REBS), presents Living Sculptures: The Art and Science of Bonsai.
More than 15 miniature masterpieces will be on view, meticulously nurtured and shaped by the skilled hands of local expert bonsai artisans. The perfect marriage of artistic vision and horticulture expertise, these living sculptures are a celebration of the beauty of Asian and California native species and a testament to the patience, dedication, and creativity of the practitioners of this contemplative art form. Exhibition signage throughout the Garden’s indoor gallery illuminates the intricate roots of this timeless practice and digs into the science that is critical to the survival of these tiny trees.
Visitors can then stroll the Garden’s paths to see some of the full-sized species showcased in the exhibition. With a diverse collection of Asian and California native trees, the Garden celebrates the beauty and importance of these two biodiversity hotspots.
“We are excited to launch the Garden’s brand-new arts and nature exhibition program this winter with a stunning display of bonsai,” says Jeannie Perales, SBG Executive Director. “Bonsai is the perfect seasonal feature for the Garden’s unique Asian woodland setting, where East meets West. We hope that guests will appreciate the intricate artistry required to shape these miniature masterpieces.”
“Bon-sai” is a Japanese term meaning “planted in a container,” though the actual art form originates from an ancient Chinese horticultural practice, penjing, later redeveloped under the influence of Japanese Zen Buddhism. Meditative and disciplined forms evolved to emphasize more specific techniques and shapes to create exquisite specimens. Today, bonsai is globally celebrated with a fusion of ancient techniques and modern sensibilities.
Living Sculptures features a fusion of modern and classic forms from graceful formal uprights to dramatic windswept styles – each a testament to the dedication and skill of their creators. Several local bonsai artists will loan their specimens to the show including Alan Murakami, president of REBS, and George Haas, honorary member of REBS.
Murakami’s interest in bonsai began about 40 years ago and he has been a member of REBS since 1987. He studied under many talented bonsai artists, currently learning from Adam Toth, who recently finished an apprenticeship in Japan. “Bonsai is a rewarding art where learning new things is a constant,” Murakami states. “Working on your tree in a Zen like state and seeing its beautiful transformation is magical.”
Haas, who was instrumental in initiating this collaboration with SBG, started doing bonsai after retirement from the military in 2003. A Japanese American friend believed he needed a hobby and bonsai turned into much more than just a casual enjoyment. Haas is also a volunteer docent and the marketing manager for the Golden State Bonsai Federation (GSBF) Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA. “I belong to the bonsai community at large and enjoy the living art. I appreciate the learning and friendship gained through bonsai,” Haas says.
Bonsai demonstrations and special interpretive tours will be offered throughout the run of the exhibition. Led by knowledgeable Redwood Empire Bonsai Society volunteers, these programs will take a deeper dive into the practical care and maintenance of bonsai as well as the artistic process.
About the Redwood Empire Bonsai Society
The Redwood Empire Bonsai Society was founded in 1981 for bonsai enthusiasts. The club is a nonprofit organization for the purpose of educating and making the public aware of the ancient living art form of Japanese bonsai. The club promotes the bonsai art through the conduct of monthly meetings, expert demonstrations, workshops for all skill levels, newsletters, and its annual bonsai show. Meetings are the fourth Thursday of the month, 7:30 to 9:30 PM with some exceptions. The annual bonsai show is the fourth weekend in August and an opportunity for members to display their specimens. Free admission and parking with daily demonstrations, a silent auction, and fun for all ages.
About Sonoma Botanical Garden
Sonoma Botanical Garden is a woodland experience where East meets West by celebrating the beauty and importance of Asian and California native plants. The former quarry is home to a 25-acre Asian woodland garden, 22 acres of California native oak savanna, and a small Cabernet vineyard. Whether hiking up to expansive winter vistas, enjoying a leisurely through spring blooms, finding the perfect picnic spot in a shady summer oasis, or marveling at the riot of fall colors and textures, the Garden always offers delights for the senses. A different experience – every season, every time, for everyone.
Founded in 1987, Sonoma Botanical Garden is deeply rooted in a love for biodiversity and commitment to nature conservation with meandering gravel trails throughout the Asian garden that welcome guests to immerse themselves among the trees and the new California trail which provides a leisurely stroll through California native oaks. For more information, please visit sonomabg.org.
General Info
Open 9 AM–4 PM daily, closed Tuesdays and some holidays. Garden admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for teens, students, and active military. Children under 12 get to enjoy the Garden for free. The Garden is a proud participant in the Museums for All program with qualifying individuals receiving $3 admissions. Groups of 8 or more are asked to make a reservation in advance. Visit at 12841 Hwy 12, Glen Ellen, CA. Call 707-996-3166 or email info@sonomabg.org for questions.
Recommended Videos - Bonsai from Christmas Trees
About this time of year, big box stores and some grocery stores bring in large stocks of miniature conifers for Christmas decoration. Often there are half price sales right before Christmas or immediately after, if not sooner in the season. These little trees can make for good basic bonsai material on which you can practice your skills and creativity. Look for a healthy tree with a thick(ish) trunk. Dig around in the pot to check for root flare. It helps to take along a chopstick for this work. Various kinds and sizes are likely to be available, some large enough to be living Christmas tree. I also look for Austrian Pines with single or double trunks.
If you don’t want to go shopping for your own tree, Kusamura has already purchased several dozen Dwarf Alberta spruce trees for a special workshop in January! This will be so much fun! For more details, see the article in this newsletter.
Meanwhile, indulge yourself in these Christmas tree conversion videos! So many good ones. Couldn’t stop myself.
Making a Christmas Tree Bonsai (Norway Spruce)
14 minutes 45 seconds
Nursery Stock Holiday Bonsai Creation (Blace Hills Spruce)
Bonsai Mirai | Ryan Neil
1 hour 50 minutes
Making a Large Christmas Tree Bonsai (Alberta Spruce)
Herons Bonsai (UK) | Peter Chan
35 minutes 39 seconds
Making Formal Upright Bonsai from Alberta Spruce
Herons Bonsai (UK) | Peter Chan
55 minutes 29 seconds
Dwarf Alberta Spruce initial design 2020 10 18
Great Swamp Bonsai Society (New Jersey) | John Michalski
14 minutes
What to do with your Christmas tree? Convert into a bonsai! (Picea omoricas - Serbian Spruce)
Growing Bonsai by Jelle (Netherlands) | Jelle Ferwerda
17 minutes
Making Bonsai from Christmas Tree Material (Dwarf Spruce)
Greenwood Bonsai (UK) | Corin Tomlinson
28 minutes 14 seconds
Recreating Greenwood Bonsai Studio £10 dwarf spruce
Tony's Bonsai (UK)
29 minutes 36 seconds
Newsletter Editor: Jenn Tan