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Newsletter: Shibui Bonsai Kai

PO Box 81084
Parkhurst 2120
e-mail: bonsaikebana@mweb.co.za

Dear Bonsai Friends

My apologies for the delay in getting this letter out to you but I have been away since the last meeting. Once again, we had a very relaxed and lengthy AGM this year, and the committee would like to thank you for your expression of confidence and requesting us to serve for another year. We are very pleased to welcome Leigh, Stan and Godfrey, to the committee. Fred has intimated that he would prefer not to stand again, but he will be available when called upon to help in any way possible. We will only be having our committee meeting on the 21st, so a decision for the future Exco members has not yet been made. After the AGM, Erika gave us a talk and demonstration of a small Saikei planting on a Chinese marble tray, pre-prepared with the stones attached and used a single Berberis. The final result was stunning. Many thanks Erika, and thanks also to Erich and Stan for the refreshments and the donors of the raffle prizes. Thank you to the members for your prompt payment of subs, and a reminder to the others, these are due now – Single R110 and Family R130 per annum. Our banking details are at the bottom of all newsletters for your convenience, should you wish to deposit directly into the account.

Our annual theme symposium, this year being a Group Planting is to be held in The Floreum on 21st August. This year we have decided we will be starting at 10:00 and carrying on for the rest of the day. It will be very informal and we will have hot dogs available for lunch at a small cost. We will be having simultaneous demonstrations by two of our senior members as well as a repotting of a large group of Celtis on Slasto, so please do not miss the meeting. We will be having a hand’s on workshop after the demonstrations, where you can do your own thing, whether it be a group planting or anything else. If you are participating in the workshop, please remember to bring tools, wire, potting medium, and a garbage bag to remove all your own rubbish. If any magazines arrive, these will be available as well. If members of any other clubs are interested in attending, please feel free to do so, but please give me a call before the 18th and let me know how many for catering purposes.

Following the severe winter we have had this year our repotting schedule is going to be later than usual. The trees and shrubs in the garden tell us Spring is on the way, but we are still having frost and very cold nights, so don’t be in a hurry to get started too soon.Examine your deciduous trees carefully and critically, and give them their final pruning before the new buds start to swell. Decide which are the most important branches and growth points necessary both for the health of the tree and the aesthetic impact. Look at the Bonsai from different angles and sides and ensure it is positioned firmly and correctly in the container. It is safe to make any necessary changes now, at the start of the new season. Once you have completed the deciduous trees, get stuck in to the evergreens. You can usually do these at a more leisurely pace, but the same care and advice applies to these trees as well.

Just a reminder, as we had no volunteers for a tea duty person, the two members providing refreshments on the meeting day will be responsible for the tea table set up, clearing and washing up afterwards in future.

Birthdays in August, just two, - Issie on the 14th and Jeff on the 16th. We wish you both everything of the best and many more.

Hoping to see you all on the 21st.

Sincerely

Banking Details: Nedbank - Rosebank branch - 195 805, Shibui Bonsai Kai: A/C # 1958 289 906

CAKE DUTY ROSTER

• August: Jeff Abrahams and .......... Volunteer reqd.
• September: Leigh Lloyd and Eddie Menges

Each person to provide one plate of 'sweet' and one plate of 'savoury' please.

PS: Committee members, we will be having a meeting at 09:30 - prior to the General Meeting