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Cape
Town is a strange place with regard to the weather in August and
September. After experiencing a rather dry and warm winter,
the expectation for rain at the end of winter is always high.
The few days prior to the forest planting event proved to be one
of the rainiest periods for many a month and reports were received
that the water dams in various rainfall regions will filling up.
All those invited to assist Rudi Adam with the forest must have
mentally prepared for a very cold and rainy day. It did,
however, turn out to be sunny day.
At
least a year prior to the planting, Rudi mentioned that he was
commissioned to prepare a forest of approximately forty trees.
We were regularly involved in discussions of what he had in mind
for the big day. Isak Volschenk, a long time friend of
Rudi's and a keen bonsaiist, was commissioned to construct the
tray from heavy marine plywood. The tray approximately
1,2x2,4 metres, was completed three weeks before the actual
planting. An industrial wood preservative was used to
protect the tray against rot and damp.
The
forest was commissioned by Dr Charl du Toit who is an avid bonsai
enthusiast and collector. He dedicated the forest to his
daughter, Mieke, who is very young and is privileged to be able
enjoy the seasons and views of these wonderful elms. The
forest was named 'Mieke's Forest'. (view
Mieke's forest gallery)
The
most critical aspect about Mieke's Forest is that it needed to be
viewed from both sides. Rudi gave his final briefing on
Sunday morning of the 10th August 2003 to all his assistants.
All the assistants were Isabel Hofmeyer (Cape Bonsai Kai), Jim
McKenna (Cape Bonsai Kai), Isak Volschenk (Cape Bonsai Kai), Carl
Morrow (Oyama Bonsai Kai), Len Redfern (Oyama Bonsai Kai), Trevor
Venables (Oyama Bonsai Kai), Marius Boshoff (Tygerberg Bonsai Kai)
and Ian Saaiman (Blaauwberg Bonsai Kai).
The
species used was Ulmus parvifolia "Suberosa".
A total of thirty nine trees and forty three trunks were used.
Also included were moss, accent plants and decorative sand and
gravel.
In August 2006 it was necessary to repot the forest. View the 2006 repot gallery. All images are presented in sequential order.
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