Matsu Bonsai blog

Matsu Bonsai Study Group 2012 - Spring Work

matsubonsai — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:30:00 -0500

It's time for another meeting of the Matsu Bonsai Study Group, this Saturday April 7th from 10am - 5pm. For this meeting of the Matsu Bonsai Study Group we'll focus on tasks for Spring. We'll discuss defoliation of trident maples, pinching of pines and junipers, and perhaps perform some carving and light wiring.

Be sure to bring plenty of trees to work on. If you don't have enough to keep you busy or just want to practice there will be material on hand.

Please make sure you're on time, we have a lot to cover!

Matsu Bonsai Study Group 2012 - Repotting

matsubonsai — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:18:00 -0500

This Saturday, March 3rd will be the first meeting of the Matsu Bonsai Study Group.

For this meeting we will focus on the proper technique for repotting bonsai. We'll work with established bonsai as well as young trees in training. Bring plenty of trees to work on, soil, and tools. If you run out of things to work on or simply wish to work on some of mine, please let me know.

Please do RSVP, as space is limited.

As always, please do your best to be on time.

For more information on the Matsu Bonsai Study Group, please follow this link.

Majoring in Bonsai

matsubonsai — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:46:00 -0500

I recently had an email exchange with someone that was interested in attending college to study bonsai. I gave it some thought before crafting a response. Below is my reply:

To my knowledge there is not a college program anywhere in the United States that relates to bonsai.

There are a number of bonsai professionals spread across the country, the most successful of which have studied in Japan. The Japanese apprentice program is very difficult, but very rewarding.

Boon Manakitivipart studied in Japan and has helped others make contact and begin apprenticeships in Japan. Boon offers an Intensive program that may help you prepare, if an apprenticeship is something you are interested in.

Michael Hagedorn is another American bonsai professional that studied in Japan. He offers what he calls "Seasonals" that may also be a good experience for you. Michael wrote a book about his experience as a bonsai apprentice in Japan, which is a good and fast read.

Ryan Neil recently completed his apprenticeship with Masahiko Kimura. Ryan offers a wide range of educational opportunities. He is an extremely energetic and engaging person.

Peter Tea is currently a bonsai apprentice in Japan, studying at Aichien (http://bonsaiaichien.com/).

Tyler Sherrod is another new American apprentice studying in Japan.

Bjorn Bjorholm is another American that studied, and continues to return to Japan. He also posts some great videos.

Owen Reich (Owen is slacking and doesn't have a website yet) is currently studying with Mr. Fujikawa, and is featured often in Bjorn's videos.

I would also highly recommend the following resources:

Bonsai Tonight a great blog covering all things bonsai.

Bonsai Study Group is perhaps the most focused online bonsai forum at the moment.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

What do you think? Did I miss any? I tried to put together a rather detailed list of the current and past American bonsai apprentices in Japan, past and current. I won't deny my personal bias towards recommending my teacher, Boon Manakitivipart, but I tried to include others, too. The great part about those bonsai professionals that I've had the chance to meet is that they're all as nice as they can be and are willing to help out in any way that they can.

Does anyone know of any college bonsai programs out there right now?

Matsu Bonsai Study Group - Wiring and Carving

matsubonsai — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 20:00:00 -0500

We'll be carving and wiring junipers for this meeting of the Matsu Bonsai Study Group.

We will break for lunch, but this time we'll be grilling out! Burgers are on the menu, so if you would like something different please feel free to bring your own.

Be sure to bring plenty of trees to work on. If you don't have enough to keep you busy or just want to practice there will be material on hand. As always, do your best to be on time.

For more information about the Bonsai Study Group please visit this link: http://www.matsubonsai.com/blog/page/Bonsai-Study-Group.aspx

Bonsai in the Bluegrass

matsubonsai — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 07:28:00 -0500

This Thursday, June 16th marks the beginning of "Bonsai in the Bluegrass", the joint ABS and BCI Symposium hosted by the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society.

Bonsai in the Bluegrass will be hosted by the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society and will include 46 learning sessions and workshops, a bonsai display, vendors area, and several bonsai demonstrations. We have scheduled instructors from around the world who will share their expertise with the attendees. Two hundred guests from all corners of the globe are expected, including Australia, South Korea, Europe, and all across the US.

Full registration ($330) for the event includes 4 sessions/workshops, access to all the demonstrations and lectures, meals, access to the exhibit, and vendors area for all 4 days.

Saturday-only registration ($165) includes 2 sessions/workshops, lunch and dinner, access to the exhibit and vendors area.

Exhibit and vendor areas will be open to walk-in guests for $10 per person, per day (Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 10am-12pm).

More information about the event:
http://www.bonsaiinthebluegrass.com/page/about.aspx

More information about the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society:
http://www.louisvillebonsai.org/page/Club-Info.aspx

More information about the American Bonsai Society:
http://absbonsai.org/about/about-the-american-bonsai-society

More information about Bonsai Clubs International:
http://www.bonsai-bci.com/index2.html

Bonsai Study Group - JBP, Azaleas, Show Prep

matsubonsai — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:32:00 -0500

For the next meeting of the Matsu Bonsai Study Group, Saturday June 11th, we will primarily be focusing on Japanese Black Pine Pinus thunbergii (黒松 kuromatsu) and Satsuki Azaleas. Now is the perfect time of year to perform very specific tasks to improve your bonsai, particularly these two species. We can learn a lot about bonsai and tree care in general from studying the growth habits of pines and azaleas. One is apical dominant, the other basal dominant.

For Japanese Black Pine we will be working on decandling and needle pulling. It's all about energy balance and working towards a specific goal. Timing is everything, and that's what we'll be discussing.

Satsuki Azaleas may still be in flower, but now is the time to remove the flowers and trim back to 2 shoots, 2 leaves. Being basal dominant means that the top may not be as strong, so we'll leave 3 leaves towards the top and in weaker areas.

We'll also discuss the finer points of Show Preparation. Bonsai in the Bluegrass is happening next week and the show trees need their final tweaks done. These trees have been worked on all year to get them ready for the show. Now is the time for the final adjustments.

We will break for lunch, but this time we'll be grilling out! Burgers are on the menu, so if you would like something different please feel free to bring your own.

As always, do your best to be on time.

For more information about the Bonsai Study Group please visit this link: http://www.matsubonsai.com/blog/page/Bonsai-Study-Group.aspx

Greater Louisville Bonsai Society at Yew Dell Gardens

matsubonsai — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:11:00 -0500

This weekend, April 30 and May 1st, the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society will have it's annual Spring show at Yew Dell Gardens. I'll be there and will be bringing a tree to display.

I've written about the event before and always enjoy at least stopping in each year. It's a treat getting a chance to greet people and share the joy and enthusiasm for bonsai with all the visitors. Be sure to stop in and say hello if you get the chance.

Botanica and Gardenaganza

matsubonsai — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:17:00 -0500

This Sunday, April 17th, from 1pm until 5pm I'll be in the Botanica booth at the Jefferson County Master Gardener Association's Gardenaganza at WhilteHall. I will be have a few trees on display and discus the details of growing and creating bonsai.

For more information visit the Jefferson County Gardener Association website, http://jcmastergardeners.org/

See you there!

Isao Omachi Relief Auction

matsubonsai — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 08:01:00 -0500

You've no doubt heard about the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Bonsai professional Isao Omachi and his family lost everything in the tsunami. Several prominent people in the bonsai community around the world have generously donated money and other items in an effort to help.

The Bonsai Study Group bonsai forum is hosting an auction specifically to help the Omachi family. So far a handful of items have been donated for the cause from such people as John Romano, Victrinia Ridgeway, Mike Pollock, Craig Coussins, and myself. It's a great start, but we need more. Feel free to list any bonsai related items. You may donate any percentage of the proceeds you wish.

There are other ways you can help as well. Marco Invernizzi has put together the following information:

Please help the Omachi Family and their village:
Paypal info:
Omachifund@aol.com

Donate to:
Bank Name:Banca Popolare di Ancona
Branch n.287, Osimo sede
Bank Address:Piazza del Comune 4 60027 Osimo Italy
Acc. holder: Marco Invernizzi
...IBAN:IT74B0530837490000000001382
Swift Code: BPAMIT31
Bank Code: BLOPIT22

Send checks:
Omachi Relief Fund
P.O. Box 22
Yorklyn, DE 19736
USA

SHINJI SUZUKI just opened another bank account in Japan for donations:
HACHIJUNI BANK
OBUSE BRANCH
Acc.number:252 210566
(SWIFT NO.) HABKJPJT
(ACCOUNT NAME) GANBARE ISAO OMACHI ( the spelling is correct )

For mor information please visit this link, http://www.marcoinvernizzi.com/omachiUS_UK/index.html

Matsu Bonsai Study Group - Spring Work

matsubonsai — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 21:58:00 -0500

It's time for another meeting of the Matsu Bonsai Study Group, this Saturday April 2nd from 10am - 5pm. For this meeting of the Matsu Bonsai Study Group we'll focus on tasks for Spring. We'll discuss defoliation of trident maples, pinching of pines and junipers, and perhaps perform some carving and light wiring.

Be sure to bring plenty of trees to work on. If you don't have enough to keep you busy or just want to practice there will be material on hand.

RSVP, as space is limited.

As always, please do your best to be on time.

http://www.matsubonsai.com/blog/page/Bonsai-Study-Group.aspx

Japanese Black Pine Approach Graft

matsubonsai — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:46:00 -0500

Another grafting technique Peter Tea demonstrated to the study group while he visited was approach grafting on a Japanese Black Pine. A new apex, first, and second branch were grafted to make a much shorter tree. More grafts were practiced by the group further up the trunk. I'll report on the progress of this tree in another thread later this year. More grafts will likely be needed in the future to improve the tree.

Peter sizes up the first graft while Tim watches
Aligning the first cut using a sharp saw
The first cut is made with the saw
Once the saw cut is made Peter cleans up and widens the cut with a sharp grafting knife
The first graft is tied in place
A second graft is done above the first
The branch is sliced a little on the top and bottom and fitted into the slot
Note how close the fit is

Peter mentioned that if the cut happens to be a little to big, it's more important for the bottom layers to match. If needed, fit a peg in the top gap to ensure that the lower surfaces have mated properly.

Again, if you're going to graft, don't repot. If you're going to repot, don't graft.

For more great information on grafting check out Bonsai Study Group Advanced Grafting section.

Grafting using Parafilm

matsubonsai — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:28:00 -0500

Peter Tea was in this recently for our Matsu Bonsai Study Group. One of the things covered was grafting. Peter said the method I have been using, with the little baggies, is old school. He was kind enough to share with us the grafting technique using the 1" Parafilm grafting tape.

One of the benefits of using the Parafilm method over the baggies is that you needn't worry about shielding the scion from the sun. Also, there's not need to worry about when to cut the bag and acclimate the graft to a less humid environment.

Take the scion as usual, either from the same plant for a new branch, or from another more desirable cultivar to replace foliage entirely. Cut off some of the unnecessary needles. Stretch the tape end a little, then begin to wrap the scion near the base. Be sure to leave enough room to make the wedge cut at the base. Wrap all the way to the end of the needles and twist the end.

Cut the offset "V", long side will be against the branch/trunk for maximum contact. Cut the long side first, then turn the scion 180° and make the second cut. If you've made the second cut at 180° you will notice that the end is perfectly straight.

Next, make the cut into the understock/branch/trunk, mimicking the same angle and length of the long side "V". For younger material (like our example here) you can cut deep into the stock as it will grow and heal quickly.

Note that the cut is nice and low, right on top of the roots.

Now, insert the scion into the cut, trying your best to align the cambium layers. Be sure you insert all the way deep into the cut, nice and snug.

Peter said that you can use another section of Parafilm, but hasn't done this yet. Here he uses strong plastic grafting tape that doesn't stretch very easily.

Begin at the back and wrap around the understock, pulling snug at the back so as not to dislodge the scion.

Wrap several times, then finally tie a knot.

Peter takes an extra step and seals the tape with some of the liquid cut paste. When the scion begins to grow the new bud will extend out through the Parafilm.

For more great information on grafting check out Bonsai Study Group Advanced Grafting section.

Matsu Bonsai Study Group - Repotting

matsubonsai — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 19:35:00 -0500

If time allows we will also work on air-layers and a few other advanced techniques.

Please do RSVP, as space is limited.

As always, please do your best to be on time.

For more information on the Matsu Bonsai Study Group, please follow this link.

Matsu Bonsai Study Group - Peter Tea

matsubonsai — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:43:00 -0500

Peter Tea will be our special guest at the first meeting of the year in February. Peter is an outstanding young bonsai artist, a graduate Boon's Bonsai Intensive program, winner of the Joshua Roth New Talent Bonsai Competition, and all around great guy. He quit his day job some months ago and has been making his living as a bonsai artist in the San Jose, CA area. In March of 2011 Peter will be leaving for a 3-year apprenticeship in Japan.

For more information on Peter Tea please visit his website (http://www.peterteabonsai.com).

This is a special paid event. Registration is sold out.

Matsu Bonsai Study Group Dates - 2011

matsubonsai — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:40:00 -0500

Matsu Bonsai Study Group dates for 2011 have been set. As always, we'll be working from 10am - 5pm with a break for lunch. Bring plenty to work on, or feel free to work on some of ours.

Study Group Dates for 2011

February 20	10am - 5pm	Peter Tea workshop
March 5	10am - 5pm	Repotting
April 2	10am - 5pm	Spring work
June 11	10am - 5pm	JBP Decandle
July 9	10am - 5pm	Wiring
August 6	10am - 5pm	Carving & Wiring
September 10	10am - 5pm	Wiring & Styling
October 8	10am - 5pm	Fall Work & Wiring
November 5	10am - 5pm	Soji (clean up)