fog city bonsai may 2018 - bssf · the bonsai exhibit was put on by bssf, yamato bonsai kai of...
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Fog City Bonsai May 2018
Newsletter of the Bonsai Society of San FranciscoSan Francisco County Fair Building, Lincoln Way between 9th and 10th Avenues
Cow Palace Bonsai Exhibit
Events at-a-glance ..
May 10: General Meeting – Deciduous Defoliationwith Jonas Dupuich
. May 17: Free Third Thursday Member Workshop.
Jun 14: General Meeting – Black Pine Decandlingwith Brian Schindler and Bernard Marque
Jun 21: Free Third Thursday Member Workshop
In this issue ...
President’s Message, p. 1
San Francisco Cow Palace Show, p. 2
John Thompson, Guest Speaker, p. 3
San Francico Cherry Blossom Show, p. 4
SF Botanical Garden Sale, and SFBG/BSSF Workday, p. 4
BSSF Meetings and Events, p. 4
BSSF Announcements, p. 5
Other Bonsai Events, p. 6
BSSF Officers and Directors, p. 7
President’s MessageAndrea Burhoe
My thanks to all of you who helped make the recentdisplays we put on—San Francisco Flowerand Garden Show and Japanese Cherry BlossomFestival—as successful as they were. Forthose of you who were new to doing this, I hope itwas a fun experience. These shows are a lotof work and worry for us, but the result—seeing thepleasure others take in our trees and thepleasure of seeing them in a formal display for usand others to enjoy—seems to me worth theeffort.
We have some interesting events coming upincluding another evening with Jonas Dupuich continuing the development of deciduous trees onMay 10. The following Thursday (Third Thursday)would be a great time to bring your deciduous treesand practice what you learned on your own trees.Then, on July 12 (a Saturday) our soil work party.Be sure to put it on your calendar. It’s a fun day andgreat time to get your soil for next year ready.
Sadly, our editor, Diana Lum will be resigning as ofthe June newsletter. We will miss her unendinglypatient, meticulous and knowledgeable work for theclub in writing, photographing and putting togetherthis newsletter. This means, of course, that areplacement is needed. If you have any skills orinterest in this line, please let me know
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San Francisco Cow Palace ShowBrian Schindler
Congratulations on a beautiful show and thanks toall of the members who helped at the 2018 SanFrancisco Flower and Garden Show. The trees wereof a very high quality and overall the show was asgood a club show as I have seen. The high opinionof our show was not just mine, but was shared byJonas Dupuich. Check out his blog on his websiteBonsai Tonight. Everyday, people came up to me toexpress their joy at seeing such a great exhibit ofbonsai. To top it off, the commute to the Cow Palacewas a lot shorter than San Mateo for most of us.
Our club had wonderful participation with at least 33members able to provide a security shift and 15members submitting trees for our exhibit. Specialthanks to Ann Norton for bringing our foundingmember, John Boyce. It's always great to see John.He also thought that the show was really good. Somany people took shifts that the owner of the showinitially had some discomfort as to the number ofwrist bands requested by us. By the close of theshow she personally expressed her gratitude for ourparticipation.
When the show committee decided to proceed withhaving an exhibit at the San Francisco Flower Showwe had several goals to meet -- to present as gooda show as we could with high quality bonsai; toprovide education to the public on the developmentof bonsai trees; and to experience bonding with ourfellow club members. I think that we succeeded onall the major points. We presented an excellentdisplay of bonsai. We got the opportunity to sharetime with fellow members and, the public had theopportunity to learn about the Art of Bonsai andBonsai clubs in the area.
Finally, I want to thank several people for their help.Andrea, Bernard, Debra, Lucky, and Catherine allprovided tremendous assistance. Even someone astechnologically challenged as I was able to learn touse the Square following Catherine's detailedinstructions. The architectural bonsai acrobat, EricSchrader, was in charge of the bonsai setup. Theflow from tree to tree is not easy to assemble, andhe created a beautiful exhibit. One of the highlightsof the show was his avant-garde take on balance inbonsai and guy-wires.
Photos from the Show
BSSF Logo Tree
Photos by Diana Lum and Dave Gomberg
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John Thompson, Guest SpeakerLucky Fung
John Thompson, Oak bonsai enthusiast, was
special guest at our monthly meeting in April. John
has a wealth of bonsai experience as an artist and
a bonsai community advocate with the Golden
State Bonsai Federation. His favorite tree is Oak
and this was obvious as he worked his magic,
shared his knowledge and styled a Cork Oak
bonsai.
Examples of different varieties of Oaks Photo by Eric Schrader
There are over 20 varieties of California natives.
Several different Oak species were on display for
members and guests to see: a Coastal Live Oak,
a Cork Oak and a Blue Oak.
John spoke of Oaks reaching for the sky (sun), a
deciduous tree whose branches grow up and out.
This is different than a pine tree, an evergreen,
whose branches grow down.
John styled a Cork Oak in a nursery container.
He discussed the importance of finding the front
and best viewing angle. He tilted, raised one side
of the bottom of the container with wedges to
achieve the best position.
John imagines the bonsai on a gyroscope to seek
the best line. John cleared the top soil around the
nebari (base) of trunk appearing at the surface.
Ideally the nebari should be flared with the surface
roots slightly visible. John grows his Oaks with
50% to 75% akadama. He has had great success
with this.
The Cork Oak had 3 trunks and he considered
eliminating one trunk. To help visualize what the tree
would look like, he used a small piece of cloth to
cover the trunk to be eliminated. He then removed
the undesirable trunk; immediate improvement was
observed.
John cut back a long branch growing up which had
the same diameter throughout to a smaller lower
branch to achieve taper. He also cut back some
shoots to increase lighting into the interior. Clean
cuts on bigger branches are important to insure the
wound heals, collar closes and over time has a
natural look. He used cut paste to cover the wound.
After John finished pruning the tree, he wired the
bonsai starting with the largest branch first and from
bottom to top. The wire should be removed in a few
months. John uses Dr. Earth Root Zone Starter. He
also mentioned Miracle Gro. He advises using
sphagnum moss to keep the surface of the soil
moist.
John Thompson discusses styling of Oaks Photo by Ryan Iwata
His goal this evening was to achieve a silhouette, an
arc which is pleasing and natural. And it was a huge
success!
John encouraged questions and allowed us to come
up to watch him style. The Cork Oak will be
auctioned off at our club meeting in the fall.
John - Thanks for sharing your knowledge and
experience. It was an amazing evening!!!
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Our own Eric Schrader will give a shortpresentation about bonsai--kind of anintroduction to the art and techniques so youmight come at 11:00 AM to hear that. He willbe in the Auditorium.
San Francisco Cherry Blossom ShowBrian Schindler
On the weekend of April 21-22 BSSF participated in
the 51st Annual San Francisco Cherry Blossom
Festival. For those of you who have never gone to the
festival, it is a huge event with tens of thousands of
people attending.
The bonsai exhibit was put on by BSSF, Yamato
Bonsai Kai of Hayward, and the San Francisco
Suiseki Society. The tradition of BSSF being involved
in the bonsai show at the Cherry Blossom Festival
goes back over 20 years. More than 1500 people
came to admire the bonsai and suiseki. Many thanks
to those who participated for a lovely exhibit of bonsai.
Thankfully, this should be the last show report of this
year. Sheesh, two shows in weeks is a lot!
Above: Photos from the bonsai exhibit at the SF Cherry Blossom Festival
Photos by Brian Schindler
SF Botanical Garden Sale; and
SFBG / BSSF Workday
We will have a couple of tables of bonsai in
bonsai pots at the annual Botanical Garden Sale.
Please come by on SATURDAY, MAY 5TH to
see if there is anything you might want to buy.
The prices will be good. And, of course, there
are many other fabulous plants for sale.
Our next workday is SATURDAY, MAY 12TH
from 10 to 2:00 PM. I hope some of you can
come by the SFBG Nursery to work on our
bonsai trees.
Contact me if you have any questions about this
joint project.
– MaryLou Heslet [email protected]
BSSF Meetings and Workshops
and Other Activities
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings take place
in the Garden Club Room, SF County Fair
Building at the corner of 9th Avenue and Lincoln
Way just inside Golden Gate Park. To secure a
spot in any workshop or class, please reach out
to Andrea Burhoe, aburhoe at sign msn.com
May 10: General Meeting – Deciduous
Defoliation with Jonas Dupuich
(Last names E-F Bring refreshments).
.
May 17: Free Third Thursday Member
Workshop. 7 PM to 9 PM
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Jun 14: General Meeting – Black Pine Decandling
with Brian Schindler and Bernard Marque
(Last names G-K Bring refreshments).
Jun 21: Free Third Thursday Member Workshop.
7 PM to 9 PM
Proposed dates of other BSSF meetings and
workshops:
Jul 14 (Saturday): Soil Workshop
9 AM to 3 PM with Potluck lunch.
This activity replaces our monthly general meeting.
Jul 19: Free Third Thursday Member Workshop
7 PM to 9 PM
Aug 9: General Meeting with Ivan Hernandez
(Last names L - N Bring refreshments)
Sep 9: BSSF Basics I Class
Sep 13: Annual Auction
(Last names O - R Bring refreshments)
Oct 11: General Meeting
(Last names S-T Bring refreshments)
Nov 9 (Friday): General Meeting with
Bjorn Bjorholm
(Last names U - Z Bring refreshments)
Dec 9: BSSF Basics II Class
Dec 13: Holiday Party
BSSF Announcements
Docenting at the Bonsal Garden. Join John
Dale to docent at the Bonsai Garden in Oakland
on May 19 or any other third Saturday at 1PM.
No matter your skill level, you can help care for
these wonderful trees and educate the public
about the art of bonsai. Sign up with John Dale
at a general meeting. To volunteer at other
times, contact John McKisich, BGLM Docent
Coordinator, at [email protected], 650-477-8540
BSSF Club Membership. If you haven’t
renewed your membership yet for 2018, you can
do so by sending your dues payment to
Bonsai Society of San Francisco
c/o Lucky Fung, BSSF Treasurer
1917 17th Avenue
San Francisco CA 94116-1243
Dues are $30 for individuals, $50 for families, and
$20 for seniors. Checks are payable to BSSF.
Bonsai Sales at Monthly Meetings. Remember
that any time during the year you wish to sell
bonsai trees, the BSSF invites you to bring the
trees to our monthly meetings (except September
and December) or workshops. The club receives
20% of the purchase price. Additionally, feel free
to bring your trees for Show and Tell at the
monthly meetings to inspire other members
BSSF Bonsai Library. The BSSF has on hand a
large assortment of books, magazines, and other
literature about our favorite hobby. To access
the library, arrive early at either the monthly
meeting or the monthly workshop and speak to
Bernard Marque. Checking out materials
requires a $5 deposit per item.
BSSF Care Guide. The BSSF guide to seasonal
bonsai care in the San Francisco Bay Area is
available on the BSSF webpage,
https://tinyurl.com/BSSFycc
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Other Upcoming Bonsai Events
May 4 - 5, 2018 Sacramento
Sacramento Bonsai Club: 72nd Annual Show
Buddhist Church of Sacramento, 2401 Riverside Blvd.
Show hours are Noon - 5 pm , Saturday and 10 am -
4 pm Sunday with demonstrations at 2 pm by Bonsai
artist Sam Adina both days, followed by benefit
drawings. Free Admission, open to the public. Club
member sales of bonsai-related items.
May 19 - 20, 2018 Oakland
Bay Area Satsuki Aikokai (BASA): 23rd Annual
Satsuki Azalea Bonsai Show, Lakeside Park
Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave. Show hours are 10
AM – 5 PM Saturday and 10 AM – 4 PM Sunday with
demonstration by Johnny Uchida Saturday
1 – 3 PM (Demonstration tree to be raffled).
Beginning bonsai workshop Sunday 1 – 3 PM limited
space available, $20 fee and sign-up required.
Participating vendors – North American Satsuki
Bonsai Center – Rick Garcia and Shojuen – Darren
and Laura Wong. Free admission. Public parking
available. For more information contact George Haas
at [email protected] or visit BASA website
http://satsukiazaleabonsai.org.
May 19 – 20, 2018 Sacramento
Satsuki Aikokai Association: Annual show held at
Shepard Garden Center 3330 McKinley Blvd. Show
hours are 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday and
10 AM – 4 PM Sunday with demonstrations at
1:30 PM both days by botanist and bonsai
nurseryman Yuzo Maruyama. Create your own azalea
bonsai class at 11 AM both days. Raffles, vendors
and Satsuki information booth. Free entrance and
parking. For more information contact: Ronn Pigram
(916) 428 8505 or email -
May 19 - 20, 2018 Oakland
California Suiseki Society: Suiseki and
aiseki stones exhibition at the Garden Center
at Lake Merritt (1600 Bellevue Ave.) in
conjunction with the Bay Area Satsuki
Aikokai show of flowering azaleas. Show
hours are Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM and
Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM.
May 19 - 20, 2018 Palo Alto
Akebono Bonsai Club and Kashu Suiseki Kai:
Annual Show held at the Palo Alto Buddhist
Temple, 2751 Louis Road. Show hours are Noon
- 5 PM with a demonstration at 2 PM both days.
Free Admission. Raffle drawing for door prizes
and demonstration tree immediately following
each demonstration. Must be present to win.
There will be bonsai trees available for sale by
the club. For additional information, contact Carl
Yanari at (408)781-5937.
June 2 - 3, 2018 San Mateo
Sei Boku Bonsai Kai: 35th Annual Show at
the San Mateo Garden Center. 605 Parkside
Way (next to Beresford Park). Show hours
are 10 AM - 4 PM both days, with
demonstration by Jonas Dupuich from 1 – 3
PM on Saturday (tree will be raffled off at the
conclusion of his demo). On Sunday an open
view workshop from Noon – 3 PM (one of the
workshop trees raffled at conclusion). Large
club member plant sale, vendors, door prizes
and our always popular raffles. Admission is
free. Dr. Bonsai will be available to offer
styling and care tips. For more information
contact Marsha Mekisich at
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BSSF Officers and Directors
President – Andrea Burhoe 415-824-9315
Vice President – vacant
Treasurer – Lucky Fung
Secretary – Jain Haggerstone
Past President – Eric Schrader
Board Members-at-Large –
Debra Bleemer, Ryan Iwata,
Oscar Patzan, Brian Schindler
Additional Staff:
Newsletters– Diana Lum and Dave Gomberg
Raffle – Bill Daniels
2018 Show – Eric Schrader and Brian Schindler
Librarian – Bernard Marque
Web Site & Collateral Design – Eric Schrader
About the Club
The Bonsai Society of San Francisco exists to
encourage the enjoyment of the art of bonsai.
Whether defined simply as a tree in a tray or taken to
the heights of a living fine art form, we come together
to share our joy and curiosity for growing living trees
and our enthusiasm for keeping them healthy and
beautiful. We invite new members who share these
interests.
BSSF General Meetings are on the 2nd Thursday of
the month at 7:15PM. The Members Workshop is the
following Thursday (3rd Thursday of the month) at
7:00PM. All meetings occur in the County Fair
Building at the corner of 9th Avenue and Lincoln
Way. Enter through the parking lot at 10th Avenue
and Lincoln Way and walk along the path behind the
building to the doorway to the Garden Club Room
Map to the County Fair Building,
Golden Gate Park
BSSF Website:
www.bssf.org
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