September 2020 No meeting due to Covid19 restrictions
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, I hope you are all keeping well during these difficult times. Unfortunately we are still unable to have meetings at the moment. But with the state finally looking like things could be getting back towards a new normal soon, we may be able to catchup again before the year is out? We have had some sad news over the last week. Robert advised us of the passing of John Wilson from Yandoit. Although John wasn’t a member of GBS he willingly provided material to the newsletter, shared his bonsai knowledge and lead club workshops when the club was based at the trades hall in town. Helen and Glenn have paid tribute to John on the following page. We have also heard of the passing of Robs long time companion dog Pug. He was a sweet little fella and we send our well wishes to Rob for his losses as he was also good friends with John W. Back to club activities. I’m pretty sure the November exhibition will not be possible this year. Helen has made the suggestion that maybe we could look to aligning an exhibition with Bendigo during Easter next year. Possibly Castlemaine at Easter and Daylesford in November to be closer to Ballarat and their exhibition? Something for you all to think about. I received a call from Graham from Maryborough earlier in the month. Graham was returning to Tasmania on short notice and needed to find a home for his small bonsai collection. He has donated the trees to the club. I directed him to drop off at Helen and Trevor’s as the closest drive for him. They will care for the trees until we get a chance to get back together and decide what to do with the trees. Please feel free to send me photos of your trees at any time. Always happy to showcase some of our members trees in the newsletter and on our Facebook page.. Paul
Tributes to John Wilson and Pug, We were saddened when we heard about the passing of John Wilson. We first met John when he moved from Melbourne and retired to Newstead. He was our neighbour for several years. He established a small bonsai nursery at his home at first, but moved to Strangways after eventually closing the nursery. There he cared for his remaining bonsai, which he treasured. John had a excellent knowledge of all aspects in bonsai care and styling. Trevor, as Goldfields bonsai clubs’ newsletter editor, approached John to contribute notes for the newsletter. John willingly wrote detailed notes re cultivation, aesthetics, suitable pots, maintenance and fertilising. Occasionally he could be persuaded to come to a meeting and give us practical advice. John was passionate about his bonsai and worked on them until the end. We will miss him...Helen and Trevor All clubs and groups are made up of very different people. One of the great pleasures of being part of such a group as Goldfields Bonsai Society is we get to meet some truly unique characters. John Wilson was one of them. The very first time I met John I realized he was someone to listen to and learn from. John had a way of demanding your attention but once you got over that you quickly recognized his knowledge and skill level. John was reaching the end of his GBS meeting commitment when I arrived in 2006. Any time John was at a meeting I would listen intently and often have questions for him that related directly to my trees. On one particular occasion Alli and I went out to assist John with his re potting of some Maples in very large pots. We met his wonderful partner Victoria and quickly developed a close friendship. Those big pots and impressive trees were quite a task that went on well into the dark. None the less I learnt so much that day and discovered John was very keen on Natives and had experimented with many local natives, including a superb group of "Creek Bottle Brush" that he had sourced from the nearby Jim Crow Creek. John was not only generous with his time, he was generous with trees and pots that held great significance to him. He had offered this group to me on a number of occasions and then one day he arrived with it in the back of his car. John had kept it in water just as it was in nature. This is what mattered to both John and Victoria, they loved the natural world and their beautiful home in Yandoit was very special indeed. Rob and I went out there on a number of visits to give John a hand after Victoria's death, he was always interested to talk Bonsai and ask how our trees were progressing. I was very concerned about John's group and constantly contacted him to ensure I was caring for it correctly. In time with John's help I understood the tree and slowly adapted it to life in a Val Garth tray I designed after talking with John, no base holes but holes around the edge to ensure the roots were always wet. It has always been a favourite and many people have commented on its natural setting. John explained the importance of the natural setting when it came to natives, it's a hard lesson to learn and natives can be difficult to Bonsai but no more difficult than most other trees, as John would say in very matter of fact manner "It's a tree!" This simple yet so very important lesson I learnt among many other things from John Wilson. Both Alli and I spent many wonderful hours with John and Victoria and we will miss their simple kindness. John left many pots and many books to the GBS over the years but he will be remembered for his direct manner because he cared. With a BIG note of Thanks and Love to Rob Airton. We know how much your friendship was appreciated. You were someone John and Victoria cared for dearly. Also a special message of Love to "Pug", Rob's magical little mate who made many meetings a joy. Pug! what a wonderful Mate he was, the Defender and Befriender. We're thinking of You Rob. Regards Glenn and Alli Williams
Yvonne’s Bonsai care notes September This time of the year the weather can still fluctuate between cold days and days where it starts to warm up. Keep an eye on watering because on the warmer days your trees can all of the sudden get thirsty. Depending on where you are, you can still repot deciduous trees when the buds are swelling. Repot before the buds break into leaf. You can also repot your evergreens and pines. With Junipers wait until new growth starts and never bare root them. You only want to replace a third of the soil at most.
After repotting give your trees protection from extreme weather (hot or cold) for a couple of weeks. If you have wired your trees keep an eye out for cutting in. Trees will start to grow rapidly this time of the year. For your more advanced bonsai start to pinch back shoots as soon as they appear. Frequent pruning/pinching will increase ramification and reduces the leaf size throughout the growing season. Keep an eye out for pests. Aphids love new growth. Treat as needed. You can use soapy water or an insect spray. Start fertilising as new growth is hardening off. You can use slow release fertiliser, organic fertiliser or liquid fertiliser such as power gro. This time of the year many trees are still flowering. Enjoy.
Phil’s Azelea
Paul’s tiny double flowering plum
9th World Bonsai Convention, Perth, Western Australia 14 - 18 October 2021 The Australia-New Zealand Region of WBFF welcomes you to the web site for the 9th World Bonsai Convention The venue chosen for this event is the Crown Towers, Burswood Western Australia Registrations are now open, Tour information will be available from October 2020, if you would like information prior to this then your friendly planning team are happy to assist Email to: enquiries@world-bonsai-convention-2021.com Convention website and link to Program https://www.worldbonsaiconvention2021.com/ Download the Convention Booklet Western Australia is an exciting and fabulous place to visit For tourism information about our wonderful state visit Tourism Western Australia
https://www.facebook.com/Moongate-bonsai-specialising-in-Yama-dori-992620610873220/
Goldfields Bonsai Society Program 2020 September 20th– Repotting Workshop—Postponed October 18th– Wiring, potting, trimming. Preparation for Exhibition Oct 31st & Nov 1st– Spring Exhibition at Castlemaine Botanical Gardens November 15th– Christmas breakup
No Meeting this Sunday 19th
Take photos of your three or four favourite trees for our next Newsletter Email your photos to Paul