November 2019 Christmas Breakup at Catherine’s from 11:30am this Sunday
Founded 2001 Incorporated 2002
Presidents Notes
Paul Showell President. 0429 016 729 Helen Wheeler Secretary 54 762286 David Rojo Treasurer 0458 811 205 Newsletter– GoldfieldsBonsaiSociety GBS Facebook page
Hello Members, What a busy month I’ve had, October meeting, Bendigo Bonsai Club meeting, Goldfields Bonsai Society Spring Exhibition and now this weekend we have our Xmas breakup for our last event of the year. At our October meeting we had an interesting talk by Yvonne on fertilising your trees, Helen has the notes on the next page. We then did some preparation work on our trees for our upcoming exhibition. We then had our Spring Exhibition over the Melbourne Cup long weekend. It was great to have so many members arrive for Setup on Friday afternoon. After a little drama sourcing enough tables to complete our new layout we all got to work and had it completed by about 5pm. The fabulous thing was the number of members showing trees for the first time. The quality and variety of trees on show was a credit to all, as we didn’t have to rely on a few to fill the gaps. We are nearly having to limit the trees so we don’t overcrowd our small exhibition hall. Numbers over the weekend were similar to the previous year and considering it rained most of Saturday this was a pleasing result. The sales area had a steady flow of trees and Trevor pots out the door. We may need to look at a few intermediate sized trees in the sales area in bonsai pots as it was one thing I was asked about. Moongate got a few referrals so I hope they get some business from their involvement. Sunday we could have had our AGM as nearly every member was there. It enabled our members time to explore the beautiful botanical gardens. Some keen eyes spotted a few corky oak seedlings as well as several others species growing in the mulch around the mature trees. Packup was a breeze with so many helping hands. It is always a joy to be involved in our club activities as everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Trevor, David and Ron did a wonderful job repotting a fig for a prospective member. And thankyou Diederik for spending some time with a young couple, giving them a bonsai masterclass, while repotting an olive into a lovely Trevor pot to begin their bonsai journey. Sunday we have our breakup. See the back page for details and contact me if you didn’t receive the email on where to go. See you all there. Paul
October Meeting At our October meeting Yvonne spoke re fertilising her bonsai. Yvonne has studied horticulture and has worked out a regime for fertilising which she uses. Why do bonsai need regular fertilising? In nature trees have long foraging roots. This is not so in bonsai so they need regular fertilising. Most bonsai are not fertilised enough. Fertiliser keeps them healthy, protects them from disease and promotes growth. Yvonne’s regime: Fertilise in spring, and at the start of summer, slow down on fertilising in summer, in autumn fertilise to prepare for winter, no fertilising in winter. Over the months of fertilising she rotates the fertilisers used. Week 1. Organic fertiliser, on the soil or in fertiliser holder. 1dsp per holder Week 2. As above. Week 3. Seasol sprayed on the soil and on the foliage. Week 4. Power Feed - half strength. (not for natives) Tips to note Water your tree first before fertilising, then water again after fertilising. Don’t fertilise when it is hot. Rotate fertilisers used. Dunking is also beneficial, eg seasol in the water. Trees need nitrates..use slow release fertiliser when repotting. If the tree is not doing well, get the tree healthy before fertilising again. Don’t put too much fertiliser on the tree’ it will kill it. If you have dug a tree, don’t fertilise it immediately, let the roots grow before you do. Thanks Yvonne for sharing your technique of how you look after your trees. Helen Photos by Trevor and Paul
2019 Spring Exhibition Photos by Glenn and Paul
Goldfields Bonsai Society Program 2019/2020 November 17th– Christmas breakup at Catherine’s January 19th– Welcome back, general get together bring your Figs to work on February 16th– Annual General Meeting and General Workshop
Breakup this Sunday 17th At Catherine and James’, email or call me if you didn’t get the email about it Time is from 11:30am BBQ will be manned by James to cook your BYO meat? Members are to bring a Salad or a Sweet to share with everyone BYO drinks Catherine has enough chairs and tables We will have a $10 Kris Kringle for those who want to participate. Bonsai/Garden themed gifts please. Can people carpool where possible as there will be a lot of cars. There is a spare block of land across the road where people can park. Looks like the weather should be about 18 degrees and overcast on Sunday 17th. But it could change. If it rains we will be inside. Bring a warm coat just in case I have the raffle prizes and boxes and spare tickets for members who want to purchase a ticket on the day.