May 2017 Meeting this Sunday 21st, West End Hall Castlemaine from 12pm
Founded 2001 Incorporated 2002
Presidents Notes
Paul Showell President. 54 705545 Helen Wheeler Secretary 54 762286 David Rojo Treasurer 0458 811 205 Newsletter– GoldfieldsBonsaiSociety GBS Facebook page
Hello Members, Its getting colder and the autumn leaves are falling. The weather has been good this year for a nice display of autumn colour. A few more sub zero temperature nights and it would have been spectacular. The rain has held off for now so we hopefully get a chance to rake up the leaves before the rain turns them to a soggy mess. The club had an enjoyable day at Bodhidharma last month, thanks again to Diederik for hosting the event since we had to change the date away from Easter. Diederik gave a talk and demonstration on power feeding your figs to get rapid trunk development, from the feedback it was very informative and it was good to see David and Simon head home and put their newly gained information to use. After the fig talk Diederik did a workshop with the members on progressing your trees to the next level. It was good to see the number of trees getting some serious work done to improve their future development. This month we revisit the our Root Over Rock workshop from last year, please bring along the trees you have been working on so we can see the progress and discus the results of using different techniques for attaching our trees to the rocks. Hopefully we will be able to raise the trees in their pots a bit and start working on trunk design. I will be bringing along some freshly dug trident maple seedlings from my garden if anyone wants to create a new ROR project. Remember to bring along a rock, some soil and a pot big enough to bury the rock. I also have some foil although some prefer other methods. That’s enough from me, I hope to see you on Sunday for another enjoyable day. Paul Diederik’s beautiful display at Bodhidharma
April Meeting at Bodhidharma Diederik's Power Growing Figs Demonstration and Advanced Development Workshop. Photos taken from Facebook thanks Glenn, Simon, and David. David's Post. The main topic today was how to grow figs, and more particularly, how to power grow them and get impressively thick and advanced trunks in a relatively short time. This fig was from a cutting 5 years ago. Some others on his shelf and the 'man' himself at work.
April Meeting part 2
“Look at this tree... Sit and look at the tree... What could I do to change it?� Diederik's words of wisdom
Simon's Post. Followed up on last weekends lesson from Diederik with 3 more figs on the fast track 1 Benjamin and 2 smaller Port Jackson.
Goldfields Bonsai Society Program 2017
May 21st—Revisit previous years root over rock plantings. Bring trees and rocks for a new ROR planting. June 18th—Visit to Bendigo to Shrua and David’s backyard nursery's. July 16th—Bring along a newly acquired tree for advice and a workshop. August 20th—Talk on Fertilizers and fertilising your bonsai by Shrua September 17th—Visit a members collection— The Wheelers
Diederik supplied us his Fast Growing Figs method, thanks Helen for taking notes. Diederik uses organic fertiliser (grow better organic) Soil—premium mix— 8 shovels of soil 2 shovels fine scoria 2 shovels fine tanbark 1 shovel perlite 1 polystyrene box 18” x 12” x 5” Extra holes in the bottom for drainage Line with heavy layers of newspaper Put in a layer of soil Put in a plate or saucer Put a heavy layer of fertiliser on the plate Put a layer of soil Tease out roots on fig and cut back the roots Place fig onto the soil and plate Put more soil then fertiliser on top Defoliate every year,. In 5 years you will have a large base on tree.
One for the future. David’s suggests we try to send a club contingent. I’m up for it. A once in a lifetime opportunity for Australia
October 15th—Preparing trees for the exhibition. Possible demonstration from visiting master. November 4 + 5th—Exhibition at Castlemaine Botanical Gardens Tea Rooms.
November 19th—Christmas Breakup
June Seasonal Notes thanks to Waverley Bonsai Group It’s start of root rot season – so remember to reduce watering except when we have a prolonged dry spell. If the soil in your bonsai pot is constantly wet during winter, root rot may occur – look for signs of leaf dieback and white rings on the roots at soils level. Regularly check plants for pests and diseases Remove any fruit and berries to allow your tree to recover This is a great time of the year to shape your trees. All the leaves have fallen off your deciduous trees and you now have the skeletal framework enabling you to see where last season’s excess growth has spoilt the tree’s shape or design. Firstly, cut off any dead wood, then re-shape or restyle. Fertilizing isn’t required for any dormant trees. Constantly remove all fallen leaves from your benches and pots. As well as keeping the area tidy and clean, it removes a potential source and habitat for pests and diseases.
Meeting this Sunday 21st May Hall open from 12pm.
Bring Lunch and enjoy a catchup. Root Over Rock revisit and workshop.
Bring some Autumn Colour for the display table. Bring your projects so the club can see the progression and discus the different methods of attaching to the rock. Bring a tree and rock and supplies to create a new project Trevor will do a short talk on matching your tree to a pot