Newsletter April 1999
Kimura in Atlanta
In Collaboration with The Japan-America Society of Georgia and The Atlanta Botanical Garden, The Phoenix Bonsai Federation invites you to an exciting weekend with the Japanese bonsai master, Masahiko Kimura, the Magician.
Many of you have read about the astonishing bonsai creations of Masahiko Kimura in International Bonsai and Bonsai Today. Now is your opportunity to see The Magician live and in person. In a change from traditional conferences, Mr. Kimura will be the only headliner at this unique event. This means you will have up to six opportunities to observe and be inspired by the worlds foremost bonsai master. You may even take home a Kimura styled tree!
Many of us from our local Society have had the opportunity to observe Mr. Kimura. He was at the BCI conference in Washington, DC a couple of years ago. I feel we would all agree he is truly a master, and one you should go out of your way to see.
Dates: October 21 - 24, 1999, Thursday through Sunday
Where: The Hilton Atlanta Airport and Towers
If you are interested in a brochure, contact Tom McCormack - 563-0473.
What to Do in April By now, your bonsai should be out of winter storage, and back on their benches. We look forward to caring for them during the upcoming growing season. One thing you may want to consider doing is tying down your containers to the bench or stand, especially if your trees are large. A sudden wind can easily sweep your bonsai, container and all, right off the bench. (Editors’ note - this happened to me this past Sunday, when it was so blustery. I wasted a considerable amount of time rescuing and repotting my trees. The exposed roots will dry out in no time flat in sunny, windy conditions.) Use aluminum wire - it’s easy to use. Sometimes, when you uncover your bonsai after their witer rest, you may find an excessive amount of moss. If moss covers the entire surface of the soil, it should be thinned out, to allow air and moisture to penetrate to the root system. Very few plants can survive with moss growing up the trunk. With spring comes spring cleaning. You can use an old tooth brush and a mild soap solution to scrub the trunks of your smooth bark trees. You will be surprised to see the amount of grime removed, and will also take unwanted bugs, fungi and moss off, as well as stimulate the tree. Inspect each tree carefully - especially all wiring in place since last season. Remove all previously placed wires. In the spring, both branches and trunk grow rapidly. If the old wires are not removed, the bark can easily be scarred. If, upon removal of the wire, the limb doesn’t hold its’ position, it should be re-wired. Work on repotting deciduos plants first - conifers may be repotted up to June. Plants that flower first, like azaleas, should be repotted as soon as the blooms begin to fade. Protect repotted trees from wind and sun for at least three weeks. Keep the soil moist - not wet. Begin to fertilize one month after repotting - weekly, at 1/2 the recommended strength. With spring also comes insects. Check your supply of fungicides and insecticides. Check your bonsai every day. Don’t wait - counterattack at the first sign of infestation. Use a separate bottle for each chemical, and label it. Preventative measures can be helpful in controlling insects. The area under your benches should be clean - no leaves, weeds, puddles, etc. Use a commercial insect spray under your benches and along the pathways of your bonsai garden. And, lastly, enjoy. |
