January 2018 Meeting this Sunday 21st, West End Hall Castlemaine from 11am
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, I hope you have all had a good festive season and welcomed in the new year in good spirits and good health. The Showell’s have managed to safely negotiate the end of year breakups, xmas gatherings and new year celebrations in fine health and are looking forward to a challenging year ahead. Sidney will be completing year 12 and together with Vice School Captain duties will have a busy year. Karli steps up into year 10 and starts her VCE journey and looks forward to continuing her excellent results from last year. I have started a new job and get the chance to work from home, this will give me more time to spend with my trees, I hope to see positive advances in all my bonsai this year. Trevor has helped spread the bonsai message locally at Buda in November. See Helen’s notes on the day on page two. As we welcome in a new year at Goldfields Bonsai Society, our goal will be to increase our membership, whether that is getting some new to the art of bonsai to join our club, or by welcoming back past members and reenergising their passion in the art of bonsai. We will start the year tomorrow with a general get together and workshop. It is always good to catch up and see what everyone has been up to since our last gathering in November. Please bring along your suggestions for the year ahead and we will see what we can fit into the program which will be finalised Sunday. That’s enough from me, I hope to see you on Sunday for another enjoyable day. Paul
Visit the Butterfly House at Barkers Creek
Happenings since November Trevor has supplied some lovely shots he took in he garden at the Christmas breakup. Helen and Trevor also attended the Patchwork to Pickles Traditional Arts Fair at Buda Historic Home & Garden on the 26th Nov. Helens notes of the day below. It sounds like it was an interesting day and I see they have already set 25th Nov 2018 for this years event.
Buda Fair Demonstration In November Trevor gave a talk and demonstration on bonsai at the Buda Traditional Arts Fair at the old homestead in Castlemaine. It was a warm day with threatening clouds. We had just set up trees and pots on the demonstration table when down came a deluge of rain. Ten minutes later the rain was gone. A group of enthusiastic people had waited. Trevor spoke about suitable types of trees, styles, shaping and maintenance. He showed how to style a small gum tree and spoke about after care, especially in summer. Several questions were asked and some interesting discussion followed. Helen
Summer care from AusBonsai
Excessive heat does not Kill Bonsai, a lack of water does. We should be watering often enough to ensure the soil never dries out in the pot. This may mean that we water 2 or 3 times a day. A great asset to the tree will be mulching of the top of the soil. This will help stop evaporation through the day. Moss or Rocks both can be an effective mulch Fertilizing regime should be continued through the summer months Monitor your trees through the warmer months for Pest and Disease as the warmer humid environment will encourage them Most natives can be repotted throughout the summer months. Watch for bud movement and then repot and root prune them then. Another method to get them budding is to cut back hard then wait for the new buds to start to appear, then repot. You can root prune very hard at this time Pinching tips and pruning new growth should be continuing on all trees through the summer Late in the month you can defoliate Elms and Maples so they will produce new smaller leaves that have not been wind and sun damaged. Heavy Prune and Trunk chop Deciduous trees while in vigorous growth will help heal wounds faster. ( note some prefer to do this in winter while dormant) Defoliate of Figs Continue monthly spraying of your Azalea's for Lace Bug
31st AABC National Bonsai Convention in Melbourne This event will be hosted by Bonsai Northwest Inc on 20 – 23 July 2018 at Mantra Bell City, Melbourne, in partnership with Association of Australian Bonsai Clubs Ltd. The true highlight of the convention will be our headline international bonsai artist, Bjorn Bjorholm. Registration and payment close 1 July 2018, (Early Bird Full Registration is now closed – 1 http://www.bjornbjorholm.com/
January 2018). For more information go to Bonsai Northwest.
Goldfields Bonsai Society Program 2018 January 21st 2018 - General workshop and get together February 18th 2018 - Annual General Meeting
Meeting this Sunday 21st Hall open from 11am.
Bring Lunch. Bring something along for the display table. Bring a tree or two to work on. Ask for some advice or get a critique, everyone has an opinion and it is a great way to see the possibilities within your tree. Have an enjoyable day with friends