| Bonsai Basics Class 2010 Unless stated otherwise, Class meets at 7 PM on the third Tuesday of each month at St. Christopher's Church in Roseville. (See second map under Maps to Our Meetings.) For questions, contact Van Jensen at vejensenjr@usfamily.net or Lionel Flood at floods4@msn.com All MBS members are welcome at Class! Topic handouts are available at each session for that session and the previous session for those who have missed the earlier session. The handouts are supplements to the sessions. The sessions include: occasional power point presentations, illustrative materials, discussion, and hands on activities for the participants. More experienced members are encouraged to attend sessions of interest. Sessions are held in St. Christopher's thru December. HERE ARE THE CLASS TOPICS FOR 2010 FEBRUARY 16th - THE BASICS OF BONSAI We will review a monthly care schedule that identifies various activities that can be done on different species in the months of the year. Session will include a brief overview of tools, potting mixes, watering techniques, fertilizers, sources of bonsai supplies and the various tree styles. MARCH 16th - POTTING BONSAI Session is very hands on. Club members work with participants potting trees. Participants are welcome to bring their own trees needing potting, potting mix and pot they would like to use. APRIL 20th - WIRING AND SHAPING TECHNIQUES There are artistic and technical aspects of bonsai. Wiring is very technical and probably the most difficult thing for enthusiasts to master. Good wiring not only holds the branches in place but is attractive to look at. Participants will learn the basics of wiring and practice wiring - either on their own trees or on artificial practice material. Participants will use aluminum wire in this exercise. Copper wire is more difficult to use and better mastered after learning the basics of wiring. MAY 18th - DECIDUOUS TREES The May session will concentrate on deciduous trees as bonsai. Participants are encouraged to bring deciduous trees to this session for shaping, trimming, air layering, etc. JUNE 15th - SUMMER ACTIVITIES June is a busy month for bonsai. Pine decandling, azalea trimming, wiring, and other aspects of June care will be the focus of this session. More seasoned members are encouraged to attend this session to go over the difference in care for the various types of pines - ponderosa, five needle, black, red, mugo, shore, etc. JULY 20th - OPEN WORKSHOP This will be an open workshop where participants can bring in trees and we will critique design and provide styling and care assistance. AUGUST 17th - FAIR PREPARATION This is a fun session where we will get your trees ready for the state fair show. SEPTEMBER 21st - WINTERING Storing and care during the winter months is important in the Midwest where the temperatures fall below the acceptable range for a number of the bonsai species. This will be the topic for September with a visit to a winter care facility. OCTOBER 19th - FALL CARE / MORE WINTERING INFORMATION Removing leaves, needles, cleaning the soil surface and wiring certain species are all part of fall bonsai care. This session will be focused on fall care with participants encouraged to bring trees to get them ready for winter storage. NOVEMBER 16th - OPEN FOR NOW - CHECK BACK HOME PAGE |
