Founded January, 1964

JOURNALNovember 2013

www.torontobonsai.org

Schedule of eventsMeetings are held at the TBG (Toronto Botanical Gardens), at 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, in the Garden Hall, (lower auditorium on the west side of building), unless otherwise noted. The first meeting is free for non-members.

Beginner sessions (now called Bonsai 101): 6:30 – 7:20The beginner sessions are held in Studio #2 upstairs, at the TBG. Beginners should read the articles in the BEGINNERS section, under ARCHIVES, at the TBS web site.

November 11 Introduction to bonsai styles: formal, upright, informal upright, slanting, windswept.

General meetings: 7:30 – 10:00November 11: the good, the bad, and the ugly

Opening comments, annoucements by Otmar SauerPresentation on tropical trees: leading up to our Ficus retusa workshop in January, senior members

Bob Patterson and Bob Fisher will talk about their experiences with indoor (tropical) trees, and which species they prefer for bonsai.

Small group critique/discussion: tables will be arranged to accommodate 5 to 6, and participants will be mixed in terms of members’ experience. The idea is for everyone to feel comfortable sharing, asking, and learning in a small, informal group. If you have a question you have always wanted to ask but didn’t feel comfortable asking in front of the whole group, now is your chance. If you have a tree that you don’t know what to do with, and you want some advice, bring it in and let your group, and possibly others, take a crack at it. If you have a developed tree, which simply needs refinement, and you are looking for some options, let a new pair of eyes take a look. Feel free to bring in any tree you want.

- please bring in your bonsai for display and/or discussion

Events:December 9:

slide presentation on trees from the fall show, followed by a critiquewinter social

- please bring in goodies, appetite, and ability to talk with mouth full...

TBS history: http://www.torontobonsai.org/Journal/Journal.2003/jun.2003/history.tbs.1.htm

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On the cover: Lilly Tsirulnikov's European olive bonsai (Olea europaea), from the TBS fall show. Lilly says that "This tree was imported from Israel 4 years ago (2009). The original material was purchased from Israeli bonsai artist Moshe Emergui, who specializes, among other things, in layering and developing olive pre-bonsai. It was cultivated in a pot for 2 years before I purchased it, plus 4 years of my styling. The most difficult part of the design was keeping this tree alive and happy in Canada, balancing between keeping it outdoors as much as possible and organizing suitable indoor environment for winter months." Photo by Brian Greenway, 2013 TBS fall show.

President's messageby Carlos Bras

We are one of the largest clubs in Canada and in my opinion, the best club in Canada practicing the art of bonsai. Our bi-annual shows are the most important on the TBS calendar and they are a great way to introduce the general public to the art form. This fall’s show was no exception; I heard some people remark that it was one of the best shows in awhile. The rainy weather on Saturday kept some of our visitors away, as we had a small turn out, but the sun came out on Sunday and our numbers picked up. Karen Brankley did yeoman’s job at the front door, controlling traffic and handing out door tickets. She has kindly provided us with an accounting of the weekend’s attendance below. For the next show, let’s see more people volunteer for the front duties!

Joan Greenway from BCI (Bonsai Clubs International) paid us a visit and handed out two awards. Lily’s tree was awarded “best tree” for a TBS new comer less than 10 years and I was humbled with an award too. Joan, who is also a TBS member, was kind enough to give us a sneak peek into an article she is writing for BCI magazine, Quarter #1 2014 in this month's journal.

I would like to thank everyone who brought in trees to show because without your bonsai, obviously we don’t have a show. There were several new trees to the show and the overall display of foliage and color was spectacular. Thanks to John Hoffman for going above and beyond as show chair and arranging “tree pick-up” from member’s homes. Thanks to Lily and her husband as well for their assistance in that effort.

I would also like to thank the small group of industrious people who came out early on Saturday to help with show set-up. What we lacked in size, we made up with enough energy to get the show ready just before the 11 a.m. opening. For those new to the club, it is highly recommended to volunteer with set-up, even if you don’t have a tree to put in the show. Set-up day is a great learning experience in which you get to socialize with other members and learn about the principles of bonsai display. However, most people will tell you that the best part of set-up is getting first look at the sales area!

This year we were extremely lucky to have trees from John Ball, one of our senior members, and those trees sold out very quickly. Grace Wicht did a wonderful job of keeping the sales area moving even when it was jam packed with people looking for the perfect tree or pot. We all need thank Gim Retsinas and Grace because they stayed late to ensure that everyone who had items for sale got paid on Sunday evening. (This immediate-payment method will change going forward as more time is needed to tally the sales and obtain proper sign-off to avoid later discrepancies.)

All in all, we put on a great fall show and deserve a pat on the back. Now, for the spring show, let’s do even better!

Fall Bonsai Show and Sale Summary

*These figures approximate

Attendance accountSaturday - $215.00 from 43 paying guests 26 free ticketsSunday - $380.00 from 76 paying guests 20 free tickets

Admission $595.00 119 paying guests 46 free ticketsDonations $ 30.85

Total $625.85

Sales Area Account$2,105.05 ________

Grand Total $2,700.90

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Styling your new treeby Arthur Skolnik, January 25, 1999

Many years ago I watched John Naka styling a tree during a convention. Just after removing yet another large branch, someone in the audience gasped. John looked up and said, “Don’t worry, trees want to live too.” What he meant was, not only is light pruning necessary in the creation of good bonsai, but sometimes being a severeseverer is just as important: pruning won’t not kill the tree.

For those who cannot ‘see’ the resulting pruned tree (in their mind’s eye) before branches have been removed, severe pruning can be imitated by masking or covering (potentially) unwanted branches with a large sheet of paper or a towel, etc. The spaces between the keepers (remaining branches) becomes more evident and the best combination or pattern of remaining branches, can then be seen. Suddenly a feeling of confidence rises in the pruner’s heart and hand (as the hidden design shows its self) and even thick branches cry-out to be cut.

A common temptation is to keep thick lower branches and remove thinner neighbouring ones at the expense of better branch placement. The position of a branch is a vastly more important criterion than whether or not its thickness is appropriate relative to its position in the branch placement hierarchy. (Thicker branches on bottom, with successively thinner ones positioned higher up.) Why? Because a thin branch in the right position can and will thicken with time but a thick branch in the wrong position will always be in the wrong place. 10 years from now, it will still be in the wrong place and the sinking “I should have removed that branch years ago,” sentiment will haunt the grower.

Greater control over shaping the tree becomes realized, albeit slowly, when arguably the simplest technique of all is employed. It is not a closely guarded secret, yet it is not commonly explained in books, or used by even long-time growers. What is it? Free growing branches! By allowing branches at different levels on the tree to grow freely for several years, one can vastly improve the taper of the trunk and fatten those well positioned albeit thin branches.

A novice has little, or no experience watching a tree grow or seeing how time (growth over time specifically) and especially selective growth sights can affect the shape of the trunk, branches and bark. By letting just one back branch grow long unchecked, the thickness of the trunk from the ground up to the position of that branch will increase dramatically. As the energy travels up the trunk and out to the increasing amount of foliage, quick thickening occurs. Ideally, a back branch is chosen to ‘run-away’, because once the desired trunk diameter is achieved, that branch is removed or sacrificed and the scar won’t be visible from the front.

The girth of a thin side (or back) branch can be increased the same way. Don’t prune it! Pruning stimulates new growth and ramification. Once the desired thickness is achieved, remove the long (now unneeded for design) portion, which took several years to grow. Don’t prune foliage to thicken foliage pads and expect a branch’s thickness to increase at the same time. Focus on one aspect at a time.

Sometimes however, depending on the variety, the foliage migrates outward as the branch lengthens revealing a long bare area of the branch closer to the trunk. If the subject tree is a conifer, do not remove the branch to a point where no foliage remains. An intermediary step must follow- chasing the foliage back. After several severe cuts to 1/3 – 1/2 of the foliage, the bare ‘keeper’ part of the branch will bud-back. Wait until the emerging buds and foliage show signs of vigor, and then remove the rest of the branch.

For the novice, control over the shape of a tree is often limited to pruning and wiring. Another technique, grafting, a multi-faceted, seemingly complex, and exacting technique for improving various defects or faults in trunks or branches, is demonstrated in books. It usually isn’t attempted until a broad base of confidence in basic bonsai ability is built. But creating taper and thickening-up branches is simple. Either plant the tree in the ground, or it can be kept in a container, but the key is to wait and not prune. Most people’s focus is not directed at improving taper from the start. The technique is simple, but the wait isn’t.

In Japan, many producers of fine bonsai have small growing fields neatly planted with weird looking pre-bonsai. The trees may be 1 to 3 feet tall, but a trunk thickening run-away branch, is be allowed to reach (in some cases) an astonishing 8 -10 feet in length! Each of those trees is much thinner above the point where the branch is positioned on the trunk, compared to the thickness below that point. Once the grower is satisfied with the thickness of the trunk, the sacrifice branch is sacrificed. In some cases the difference in taper between the upper and lower portion of a tree has become too exaggerated. This defect is easily fixed, using more of the same technique. Many of those trees in the ground in Japan have several sacrifice branches, positioned at different levels up the back of the tree and allowed to grow to different lengths, depending on how much trunk thickening is needed. It is not uncommon to see a pine or ficus (in warmer climates) for example, 3 feet tall, with an 8 foot long low sacrifice branch, a 5 foot long sacrifice branch positioned roughly at the mid-point up the trunk and perhaps a third branch, also on the back, 2 feet long.

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The Juniper (procumbens nana) in the photo (PICTURE MISSING) was a subject tree of a demo in the video, “The Growing Art of Bonsai”. At the time of its birth as the first branch of a bonsai, this branch was much thinner then it is now. It became thick because the branch length and foliage were allowed to run away. Now that the thickness suits its position on the tree, more than 2/3 will be removed. It is noteworthy to mention, the foliage on the rest of the tree was kept (more or less) in check during the 4 years it took to thicken the branch. The time factor would have certainly been shortened if the tree were grown in the ground. It has been suggested the branch is now too thick in relation to the trunk. How to fix the problem and thicken the trunk? Let a back branch grow long.

To the uninitiated it is possible to create instant bonsai but the process required to produce high quality trees, takes years of thoughtful planning, precise and deliberate execution as well as restraint.

The October meetingby Dan Smith

The October TBS meeting consisted of four parts: a beginner's session hosted by Otmar Sauer and John Biel: a presentation by John Biel on making your bonsai presentable for the upcoming TBS fall show; a presentation by MIke Roussel on wintering techniques for bonsai and maintaining tree dormancy; and finally, a cotoneaster workshop.

John Biel was first up at the general meeting, with a short, yet comprehensive talk on the dos don'ts of bonsai presentation: do have a clean pot free of calcium build up, preferably shined with mineral oil; don't you dare bring a tree that is infested with bugs and diseases, or anything else; do make sure the tree is wired, cleaned, and nicely manicured; do add moss a week ahead, as top-dressing; do fully water your trees the night before so they are happy, but not leaking water, as they will not be watered during the show; do bring a stand for your tree, any accessory plants and scrolls, and extra stands for other members to use.

Mike's talk on wintering techniques was packed full of useful information, covering the triggers for both the beginning and end of dormancy in trees, hardiness zones, which trees are suitable for our environment here in Toronto, and other advice on how to prepare your trees for their winter dormancy, and help them survive the winter.

Mike divided the trees into three main groups: hardy bonsai, which he recommended can be stored outside in a sturdily constructed shelter; tropical bonsai, which we keep inside in sunny draft-free locations;and tender bonsai, which are the most challenging, since they require cool, but above-freezing temperatures.

The Cotoneaster workshop followed Mike's talk. The quality of the trees was good, and the variety of style in the new bonsai in training was impressive. Participants of the workshop ended up with some nice trees, and plenty of new insights into styling this popular specimen.

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This year's fall showby Karen Brankley

This year's fall show commenced with cold weather and rain, but those who brought trees to exhibit and those who staffed the show didn't let that stop them! It's this change in weather that brings about the changes in our trees and makes us glad of an indoor venue. Each year we look forward to the camaraderie and opportunity to view each other's trees at their best.

Mike Roussel's Japanese maple bonsai (Acer palmatum), featured on the cover of the October Journal in shades of orange, yellow and green, was at center stage in the exhibit in its final stages of brilliant red. Also present were a ginkgo bonsai (Ginkgo biloba) cloaked in bright yellow, and serviceberry (Amelanchier ) with its beautiful red berries, and many other wonderful bonsai - definitely worth taking in.

We mustn't forget the shopping! Grace and Gim, and their helpers, worked hard to keep up with orders, and our members had many interesting items for sale. The Bonsai Guy' was also present with small trees, pots, wire and accessories.

This year, local director of Bonsai Clubs International, Joan Greenway, chose two trees of character on which to bestow awards of recognition. They were chosen from bonsai developed by TBS club members in two categories. Congratulations goes to Lily Tsirulnikov, who won the award for her olive bonsai (Olea europaea), in the under 10 years of membership category, and congratulations also to Carlos Bras for his small literati San Jose juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'San Jose') ) who won in the membership over 10 years category.

The BCI awards were given in the spirit of internationally promoting friendship through bonsai. Photos were taken and should be appearing in a forthcoming issue of the BCI magazine, so keep your eyes peeled.

The BCI Awards of Excellence

by Joan Greenway

Photographs by Brian Greenway

Bonsai Clubs International is a world wide organization for both bonsai clubs and Individual members who are bonsai professionals and enthusiasts. Meetings only take place once every 4 years in the form of conventions. If you buy a magazine subscription you are automatically considered a member and convention attendance is not obligatory.

One of BCI long-term members is Guillermo Castano Ramirez. He is a professional bronze sculptor from Mexico who has designed many bronze sculptures for clients around the world. He has also enjoyed bonsai as a hobby for many years and was a BCI director. Guillermo’s artistic abilities were first introduced to Bonsai Clubs International at the Louisville, Kentucky Convention 2011 when Robert Kempinski gave out gold medallions that Guillermo had made for BCI. The medallion is bronze with the BCI logo on one side and the inscription “ BCI Excellence Award” on the other. It is as easy to hold as a new mobile phone, perfect for putting in airline luggage and is now awarded to bonsai enthusiasts around the world. The BCI directors award the medallion to accomplished bonsai people. The purpose of this award is to encourage bonsai artists, and to promote BCI by awarding those who worked towards the goal of BCI " promoting international friendship through bonsai".

TBS is to be congratulated on its fall show which definitely met the BCI goal. Many friendly TBS members and their trees welcomed the guests. The show was colourful, well balanced and inspiring.

The choosing of the BCI award winners was difficult. Finding creativity within classical design amongst newer members was part of the criteria. At the show Carlos Bras and Lily Tsirulnikov were given a BCI Excellence Award for their bonsai.

About his bonsai, Carlos said, "I rescued that tree from a condo development back in 2004. I had no clue what to do with it. I was a newbie to bonsai so I scooped it up because it was free material! The most difficult part was dealing with very straight trunk with no movement or taper.

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Carlos' bonsai from this year's show

The tree initially had two branches that were no where near each other. It became apparent to me that it would be a one branch design but which one and could it possibly become a new apex?

I introduced taper and movement by carving the dead wood one 2/3 up the tree. I was happy with end results which made the other decisions on the final design easier".

Here is how the tree looked in 2005. Carlos joined the TBS back in fall of 2002.

Lilly Tsirulnikov has been a member of TBS since 2009, and previously a member of Israeli Bonsai Club between 2002 and 2008.

Lilly says that " This tree was imported from Israel 4 years ago. The original material was purchased from Israeli bonsai artist Moshe Emergui, who specialises, among other things, in layering and developing olive pre-bonsai. It was cultivated in a pot for 2 years before I purchased it, plus 4 years of my styling. The most difficult part of the design was keeping this tree alive and happy in Canada, balancing between keeping it outdoor as much as possible and organizing suitable indoor environment for winter months." (See cover picture, on this issue.)

Congratulations to the Toronto Bonsai Society from BCI for a lovely October fall colour bonsai show,and watch for an article about your club in the BCI magazine Quarter#1 2014.

Norman Haddrick presents at Chrysanthemum showBy Nathalie Vacaresse

On Sunday November 4th, I attended a bonsai presentation by Norman Haddrick during the 2013 Chrysanthemum Show at the Centennial Park Conservatory in Etobicoke, where he introduced bonsai basics to an audience unfamiliar with our art.

For such an audience, simple and straightforward messages along with well-chosen illustrations are very efficient. So Norman used his own beautiful drawings to illustrate his points, and started his presentation by explaining that bonsai is an art that originated from China and was later on developed in Japan, hence the term "bonsai", which means "a tree in a pot". But he immediately added that, “not every tree in a pot is a bonsai” and showed us this drawing.

Miles away from the quality we are used to with Norman's drawings, although perfectly pertinent and brilliant, I will always have this picture in mind when I’ll have to choose a new pot for my trees!

For those of you who prefer a more classical vision, please refer to the TBS web site, where many of Norman's drawings have now been scanned and added by Dan Monroe.

(To find Norman's illustrations, look under the 'Gallery' menu at the web site - editor)

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Carlos' bonsai in 2005

In the TBS libraryBy Nathalie Vacaresse

My favourite book from the TBS library is 'Bonsai Life Histories', by Martin Treasure. Besides covering the bonsai basics, this book follows the development of several trees from scratch to finish, with pictures taken at critical steps in their respective design. This really helps a beginner like me to envision what a tree could become, which is probably the most difficult part for beginners.

I've heard from more experienced members that they like the library resources and books for these reasons:

1. The pictures of established bonsai help them in picturing what can be achieved and the diversity of bonsai world styles, species, pots, stands, etc. These members usually borrow books from past bonsai shows.

2. Some people actually don't like reading books and their theories: they prefer watching videos and CDs, so they are very happy that the club has more CDs now.

3. Advanced members are interested in the more advance techniques and theory: people who do presentations at our monthly meetings usually say they used material from our library.

AnnouncementsBrampton library seeking bonsai presenter

For 'The Art and Practice of Bonsai' presentation on Monday, January 27. Contact Galina Vogman http://gvogman@bramlib.on.ca/

Sad news! A very good friend

Tom Elias, President, BCI: I received word this morning from Peter Bloomer that his wife, Mary Bloomer, died this morning (Oct. 28, 2014.) Mary was a long time bonsai and stone enthusiast. Mary also served on the board of BCI and as president of BCI many years ago. She was a good friend and strong supporter of BCI.

She and Peter came to Italy twice searching for stones, last time after the BCI Convention in Saint Vincent 2008.

Norman Haddrick, TBS: I was friendly with Mary years ago, during my BCI and ABS involvement, and then, when she met Peter they moved to Flagstaff, AZ. The last contact I had with them, as we all got involved in our lives, was when they sent me a signed copy of Peter's lovely book.

Mary was such a vibrant and vital woman, indeed, very much an enthusiast of bonsai and viewing stones. Enthusiastic about our really old collectible trees, and of the eroded rock formations across Ontario. She and I were good friends during the 70's, while I was TBS Pres, then on BCI and ABS boards, and attending all the BCI/ABS Annual Bonsai conventions around the U.S.A.

Mary lived around Baltimore, Maryland, and for several years she really enjoyed coming up to Toronto, where she came to TBS meetings and joined with George & Gisela Reichert, John Walton and I, on several bonsai/stone collecting trips to our prime collecting areas in Ontario. (Areas we did not reveal to just anyone).

Mary's spirit will live on, in all she knew.

Links to other clubs (click on link): Bonsai society at Royal Botanical G ardens; Matsuyama bonsai society; Misseto bonsai club; Kitchener-Waterloo bonsai society; Buffalo bonsai society; Ottawa bonsai society.

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This is the photo Donna Banting used in her article written for BCI magazine #1/ 2002. Mary is third from the right.

Regular TBS meetingsMeetings take place on the second Monday of every month, except July and August, at the TBG (Toronto Botanical Gardens), located at 777 Lawrence Avenue East, at Leslie Street, in the auditorium on the west side of the building at 7:30 pm. The general meetings frequently include: demonstrations of bonsai techniques, critiques of bonsai trees, and workshops, in which each participant styles a tree with the help of an experienced member. These meetings are preceded at 6:30 pm. by the Beginner sessions, held upstairs.

A small fee is charged for workshops, and a tree, wire and instructor are provided. To participate in workshops, it is necessary to register in advance of the meeting so that materials can be provided.

Members are encouraged to bring in bonsai to show and work on during the meetings. Wire is provided at no charge. Non-members may attend a meeting at no charge to see if the club is of interest to them.

Library hours and policyThe library is open to members at the beginning of our regular meetings. Members may borrow books free of charge for one month. Late returns cost $2 per month with a minimum charge of $2. Please return all materials the next month, and before summer.

Membership deskThe membership desk will be open at all meetings. The opening time may be extended for the first fall meeting to assist with renewals. You may also register for workshops there.

Tools & suppliesTools and supplies are sold by the club at most meetings. It is a good idea to contact the executive member in advance of the meeting for specific tools and supplies.

TBS Executive:PresidentCarlos Brascarlos@offthebench.ca

Vice-President- looking for volunteers

Web-MasterDaniel Monroewebmaster@torontobonsai.org

TreasurerJean Charingjeancharing@rogers.com

JournalDan Smithdeadfall313@gmail.com

Greg Quinngquinn@hotmail.com

Membership SecretaryTools & SuppliesGim Retsinasgretsinas@sympatico.ca/

New Member HostsKem Shawkemshaw@rogers.com

Karen Brankleykayeb29@hotmail.com

Recording SecretarySylvia Le Roysylvialeroy@sympatico.ca

Past-PresidentKeith Oliverkeitholiver1@hotmail.com

LibrarianNathalie Vacaressen.vacaresse@rogers.com

Members at LargeLily Tsirulnikovalexander.lilia@gmail.com

Otmar Sauerotmar.sauer@sympatico.ca

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The Journal was founded in January, 1964, is published

monthly, and exists to further the study, practice, promulgation,

and fellowship of bonsai.

Visit the Toronto Bonsai Society's web site, at:

www.torontobonsai.org

Toronto Bonsai Society

P.O. Box 155,

Don Mills, Ontario

M3C 2S2