Welcome Autumn! Tuesday nights are getting great attendance along with our Saturday sessions. The newsletter will continue to be sent the week be-fore the 3rd Saturday of the month’s meeting.
The calendar has had more additions and changes. There are still some free spots later in the year. If you have suggestions or would like to do a talk or demonstration than please feel free to contact the committee.
To clarify the start times of each session:
Tuesday night will start at 7pm
Saturday afternoon will start at 1.30pm
(Committee meeting at 1pm—All welcome to attend)
In this month’s newsletter I'll share information and research on Fuchsia as Bonsai. I have been to a specialist nursery on the weekend and purchased established stock so the time to get a good tree should be significantly reduced. Also there is information in regards to Leslie Laws demonstration /workshop in August, the Facebook page and the revised calendar.
Looking forward to seeing you at the next club meeting.
Alana (Communication Officer)
Message from the Secretary
Hi All
Well we have had a good start to the year. Ten people attended on the Tuesday night and hopefully that will continue. On the March Tuesday night I demonstrated a technique grant Bowie showed us to force quick growth in Banksias. It does work. At the February Saturday meeting, Alana told us about her ‘playing’ with Fuchsias. At least three of us are going to ‘play’ with her so you may wish to check out the information below.
It has been decided that we will not be having an exhibition this year, but we shall be doing so next year in November, 2nd and 3rd weekends. That gives us more time to prepare our trees.
Chris is gave a talk at the March Saturday meeting on drawing your design for your trees. I have to admit this is an area I have not been very good at. There are still some empty spots towards the end of the year on our calender so if you are willing to do a talk or demonstration please let me know.
I must remind you about the BCI Convention in the Gold Coast in August. We have some raffle tickets to sell in support of the Convention. I’ll have them available at the next meeting. First prize is one full registration plus entry to the cocktail party and Convention Dinner. Second prize is one full registration. I must admit I’m looking forward to the Convention. Ring me for any further information required.
I have checked out masters and they are carrying Debco Bonsai potting mix. The price is very good
A plea - I am in need of some assistance. It would be most helpful if someone could act as a Minute Secretary at the Saturday meetings and write them up. I will continue to handle the rest of the Secretary’s functions. I’m finding I am not getting everything down at the meetings trying to handle both taking of minutes and trying to remember everything we need to cover at the meeting. Please ring me if you can assist.
Cheers, Gail
Trident Maple Root over Rock demonstration
Work-shop 5 August 2014
On Tuesday 5 August at 7pm we are going to have a demonstration of a technique to achieve this. Following the demo there will be a guided group session to make your own. If you're interested in purchasing stock for this session email ww.bs@hotmail.com You'll also need to start looking for a rock!
I'm really excited about this!
Fuchsia as Bonsai
- fuchsia microphylla F. "Tom Thumb" & F. "Lady Thumb"
- fuchsia magellanica
In saying this most are suitable. In time you will get lead ramification.
To develop the trunk and branches remove all flowers and fertilize with a high nitrogen fertilizer. This may take more than one growing season (spring - autumn). The pruning will need to be done weekly.
Fuchsia do not take kindly to wire. The clip and grow method is the most suitable.
Once the desired trunk thickness and branch structure is developed and you want flowers move into a bright sunny spot. Morning sun is best, sheltered from the afternoon sun and hot damaging winds.
You will need to frost protect below 5 degrees and from frost. The Magelleninca will handle
Image source Bonsai 4 Me
Image source Gardenbuddies.com Bonsai Garden forum
The watering regime is very similar to most other tropical/sub-tropical bonsai with normal watering. If possible misting too. It loves a humid environment. Be careful though it hates wet feet.
Annual reporting is required due to the rapid growth and this is best done in spring after the last frost. It is also interesting to note that it flowers best when it is root bound.
Fuchsia are susceptible to pests and diseases. In particular aphids are a common pest of the fuchsia and regular inspections should be carried out. Trees experiencing wet soil conditions and poor air circulation are more susceptible to attacks of mildew and should be sprayed with fungicides.
The best way of propagation is through soft wood cuttings.
I visited a Fuchsia specialist nursery after this talk and she also mentioned that when increasing the pot size to do it incrementally. She said it would be possible to do it every 6 months. She strongly recommended keeping them root bound to flower. Regardless of whichever stage her recommendation was not to over pot.
She also mentioned going easy on the fruit and flower fertilizer. While you might have an impressive extended display the tree may be under so much pressure that it dies.
This is a trial and error of not your typical bonsai species. If you're having a go too, I wish you good luck and happy bonsaing!
Alana
Image source This is local London
Facebook
Facebook sends us (Sarah & I) weekly page updates. Last week our page reached 255 people. This happens when people like & share the posts that are put up. It’s fantastic to see so much
The page is managed on a daily basis and any messages are answered as soon as possible.
Thank you for supporting this new medium to the club.
The page name is: “Wagga Wagga Bonsai Society”
