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Newsletter: Cape Bonsai Kai

From the President: Yvonne Romyn

Dear Members
I was so pleasantly surprised at the wonderful standard of up and coming trees at the workshop held at my house. The trees were very challenging ranging from figs, junipers, pines, coleonema and diospyros. Every one got stuck in and worked very hard and we had very good discussions on various aspects of what one can do. I must admit a homemade cake was expected with the tea!! Now I am not sure if it is the workshop or the tea you have come for.
The next most exciting event is the evaluation course July 17th from 10am till 4pm (bring your own lunch). This course teaches you to look at your trees through a “judge’s eye” and at the end of the day you will have so much more understanding, which, in turn, will give you more confidence with your trees. Please try to attend it as it really is worthwhile.
If there is anyone who knows how to video demonstrations please let us know as we would very much like to video our 40th Birthday celebrations.
Don’t forget the library is open from 7.30pm at our meetings and to bring your trees for “Help” or advice and of course trees for the tables.
Thank you

Yvonne
Email: yvonne@romyn.co.za
Tel: 021 7012749

Review of the last meeting: David Nathan

The meeting was opened by Yvonne with a welcome to everyone and a few “housekeeping” announcements. It was good to see a turnout of more than 20 members in spite of the competition from the World Cup matches.
Trevor “kicked off” the evening with a Bush to bonsai specimen thought to be a member of the woodii species. The ball was then passed to Adam who followed up with a wide ranging talk on choosing a tree for your garden. Although this was a deviation from the normal bonsai related game plan, the talk was filled with very practical tips not only on choosing a tree but also how to prepare the hole and plant the tree in such a way as to ensure the maximum chance of a successful goal/outcome. The points he made could equally be applied to the planting in the ground of a potential future bonsai specimen.
Neville then took the stand with Judge’s choice, first commenting on choosing the front on a cascading Juniper, then presenting his choice of tree of the match –oops –I mean the evening – a Buddleia belonging to Imran.
The main talk of the evening was masterminded by Rudi, with an overview of Multi-trunk plantings. He showed a number of trees from his own collection to illustrate the various possibilities. His talk elicited a lively discussion with lots of questions and comments from the fans – I mean members – in the audience.
Trevor then came back in extra time to show the potential he had brought out in converting the bush into an informal cascade. A very enjoyable evening overall, even though no goals were scored.

What to do this month: Viky Petermann

This is traditionally the coldest and nearly the start of a new potting season. Keep checking your pots’ drainage holes for blockages and make sure your trees are not waterlogged.
Now is the time to make sure that you have all the soil, pots and tools ready for the potting season which is soon to be upon us.
Potting will start with the Swamp Cypress, followed by the Celtis and Elms and then the Maples. Look out for the swelling of buds.
Don’t forget that rainy winter days are also great to work on the dead wood areas of you Bonsai.
This is a great time to use a sunny morning to clean your benches and give your Bonsai-En a general tidy up and to enjoy a magazine from the Kai’s library with a glass of good wine in front of a warm fire.

Notices: Tony Bent

Next monthly meeting: June 17th, 2010

Tree of the Month	Deciduous
Bush to Bonsai	Peter Bruyns
How to refine a deciduous tree	Yvonne Romyn
Judge's choice	Trevor Venables
Mosses & Groundcovers	Tony Bent
Propagation	Gail Theron

• HELP HELP HELP – 40th Celebrations
  We desperately need someone knowledgeable with the skills and equipment to provide live screening of the demonstrations at our 40th Celebrations. We need a data projector to connect to a laptop as well as the necessary cabling to connect the camera/s – laptop projector. We also require tripods for each camera.
  If you can help or point us in the right direction, please contact Peter Bruyns on 082 4664236 or at pbruyns@gmail.com
• Kai evaluation course – July 17
  Please don’t forget the Evaluation Course Lionel Theron is running for us on Saturday, July 17 – 10am to 4pm. It’s not too late to register and the cost for the day is only R25. For further details contact Lionel at 021 7903478 or bford@cybersmart.co.za or Tony at 083 2305348 or tony@nanoson.com
• Kai’s 40th Anniversary Celebration on September 18 & 19
  To help the sub-committee with its planning we would appreciate your registering relatively early. If you need any further details please contact Tony.
  Please remember we still need a few more prizes for raffles. If you have suitable prizes to donate or know of a business that can help us, please get in touch with Dorothy at 021 797 8972 or email her at dnfranz@gmail.com
• Guidance for growers
  Don’t forget Gail will be at the meeting on July 15 at 7.30pm. If you have a tree that you need assistance with – bring it along for Gail to help you
• Library
  Remember we have all the latest magazines and a wonderful selection of books in the library – so please use it. Alastair will be manning the desk from 7.30pm onwards

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