The Twisted Wire

The Official Newsletter of the Gold Country Bonsai Club

 From the Bench of the President

I hope you all had a chance to attend the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s convention held October 30th to November 2nd. The trees on display were amazing! The seminars by the 3 headlines were very educational and the trees participants took home from the various workshops were outstanding. Our Scott Chadd was co-chairman of the convention, Greg McDonald was co-chair for the main tree display and Paul Holtzen was chair of the stone exhibit. They all did a great job, kudos to all three.                                                             Note: In the “Gallery” section I have added pictures (thanks Don VanDyke) of some of the trees displayed at the GSBF convention, please take a look.

Fall has finally come to our area.  Deciduous trees are showing us there beautiful colors.  A great time of the year to enjoy our trees.

Trees we can work on this time of year are black and red pines. If you cut candles in the June/July time frame than we can begin the bud selection process.

This is the last month you can work on deciduous trees. You can begin to remove dead leaves and do some light pruning.

For more information on what can be done this month, see Tips and Techniques by Scott Chadd further down in the newsletter and Peter Tea’s November Write-Up located under “categories” on the club’s webpage.

I am in the process of finding the club a new meeting place.  Our current meeting room at Burke Junction is very small and does not allow enough space to work comfortably on our bonsai.  I will keep you all informed on my progress. I intention is to have a new meeting place for our January meeting.

One last final note, the GCBC Annual Christmas Party will be held on Thursday December 18th at Sue Holm’s house from 6:00 to 9:00pm.  This will be a potluck with the club supplying the meat and attendees bring a dish to pass.                                                                                     RSVP me at; paulvan9653@gmail.com

A Very Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Tips and Techniques by Scott Chadd

Gold Country Officers and Board Members

Officers

President – Paul Vandlik – paulvan9653@gmail.com                                    Vice President – Linda Gartner – lagartne@micron.com                    Secretary – Bolet Salvador – bolet@lotusbonsai.com                    Treasurer – Sue Holm – theholms2013@gmail.com

Board Members

Don Van Dyke – don.a.van.dyke@sbcglobal.net                                             Paul Holtzen – pbholtzen@sbcglobal.net                                                        Scott Chadd – scottchadd@lotusbonsai.com                                                  Pat Flynn – ptflynn@sbcglobal.net

Heard From The Bonsai Stand by Bolet Salvador

Hear ye, hear ye!!!

November 22, 2014 (Saturday),  Black Pine Workshop at Lotus Bonsai Nursery. $65/person.                                                                       Contact bolet@lotusbonsai.com to register or for more information.

November 23, 2014 (Sunday),  San Jose Juniper Workshop at Lotus Bonsai Nursery. $150/person. Includes tree and pot.                 Contact bolet@lotusbonsai.com to register or for more information.

November 27, 2014 (Thursday), NO CLUB MEETING!                     HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!

December 6, 2014 (Saturday),  Fresno Bonsai Society 7^th Annual Bonsai Yard Sale, 736 West Browning. Everyone is welcome to buy, sell or trade. Sales include pre-Bonsai, finished trees, pots, supplies, stands, books, suiseki and accent plants. Lunch will be available. Contact Ralph Schroeder at ralsch@sbcglobal.net or Peter Schaffert at peterschaffert@gmail.com

December 13, 2014 (Saturday), Create Your Own Bonsai Workshop at Lotus Bonsai Nursery. Bring your own pot and tree or buy from our nursery. Bonsai design will be based on tree and pot selection. Soil and wire are provided. $65 plus cost of material.                   Contact bolet@lotusbonsai.com to register or for more information.

December 14, 2014 (Sunday), Better Bonsai Workshop at Lotus Bonsai Nursery. Participant will bring 2-3 of their Bonsai to the workshop. The focus will be on styling, wiring, pruning, repotting, proper care and culture of each tree and season. Solutions to pest and disease problem will be covered. We will discuss each Bonsai; make decisions about its future and take decisive action to advance the design. Wire and sil are provided as needed. Limited to six (6) students. $65                                                                                                         Contact bolet@lotusbonsai.com to register or for more information.

December 20, 2014 (Saturday), Trident Maple Forest Workshop at Lotus Bonsai Nursery. 10-20 trees that are 8-15 years old will be placed in a shallow tray. Dynamic with great fall colors. $175           Contact bolet@lotusbonsai.com to register or for more information.

December 21, 2014 (Sunday), Better Bonsai Workshop at Lotus Bonsai Nursery. Participant will bring 2-3 of their Bonsai to the workshop. The focus will be on styling, wiring, pruning, repotting, proper care and culture of each tree and season. Solutions to pest and disease problem will be covered. We will discuss each Bonsai; make decisions about its future and take decisive action to advance the design. Wire and sil are provided as needed. Limited to six (6) students. $65                                                                                                         Contact bolet@lotusbonsai.com to register or for more information.

December 26, 2014 – January 2, 2015, California Aiseki Kai: 25th Anniversary Exhibition of Viewing Stones Show at the Botanical Center of the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA. Hours are 10:30am – 4:30pm each day (closed New Years Day). Free parking to the event.                               For more information go to http://www.aisekikai.com or contact hutch@aisekikai.com.

Note:  Addition events are listed under “Events” on the website header.  Click on it to open it up and take a look.

2014 Meeting Calendar and Agenda

November: No Meeting in Celebration of Thanksgiving.             December: Annual Christmas Party at Sue Holm’s House

The Twisted Wire

The Official Newsletter of the Gold Country Bonsai Club

 From the Bench of the President

We are now, according to the calendar, into the fall season. I think when we still have temperatures into the low 90″s.,  I am more careful on how much water I am giving my trees.  With shorter days but high temperatures I am daily checking the soil to how much water is being used by the trees to stay healthy. Some trees require more water than others so checking the soil moisture is critical at this time of year.

This is the time of the year we should be preparing our trees for next spring.  I have begun fertilizing them with a 0-10-10 fertilizer to help develop strong roots and nutrients to carry them through the winter months into spring. This is also the time of year we can work on our High Mountain Pines.  I have begun fertilizing them, but with a 7-5-7 fertilizer in preparation for next springs growth.  I will begin to cut, wire and remove old needles this month and plan on repotting them next February.

Juniper can be repotted this month if your area does not receive consistent freezing, if it does, wait until spring.

Our September meeting in our new space at Burke Junction will not work for our needs as a bonsai club, so we will be looking for a new space somewhere in the same area.  If anyone knows of a meeting place we can rent, please contact me at: paulvan9653@gmail.com with the location you know about. It was also our last formal meeting for this year, October will be dedicated to preparing for the Golden State Bonsai Federation Convention, held at the Double Tree Hotel in Sacramento. November’s meeting date falls on Thanksgiving and December meeting will be our annual Christmas Party.

The Golden State Bonsai Federation Convention Committee is looking for volunteers  to help out at the convention, if you are interested email me at paulvan9653@gmail.com.

Tips and Techniques by Scott Chadd

This is the time of year when we travel to the mountains to gather trees. It is also a good time to think about plans to repot your bonsai, cut them back, place styling wire, feed with 0-10-10. Leaves should be turning into fall color. Some will be brown and crisp while many will be turning red or gold. Move your trees to spaces where they get more sun.

Make sure you mark your calendar to spray with dormant oil in December and then again in January. This will stop most fungus and a lot of the small bugs that will want to attack your bonsai in the Spring. See you at the GSBF Convention in Sacramento!

Gold Country Officers and Board Members

Officers

President – Paul Vandlik – paulvan9653@gmail.com                                    Vice President – Linda Gartner – lagartne@micron.com                    Secretary – Bolet Salvador – bolet@lotusbonsai.com                    Treasurer – Sue Holm – theholms2013@gmail.com

Board Members

Don Van Dyke – don.a.van.dyke@sbcglobal.net                                             Paul Holtzen – pbholtzen@sbcglobal.net                                                        Scott Chadd – scottchadd@lotusbonsai.com                                                  Pat Flynn – ptflynn@sbcglobal.net

Heard From The Bonsai Stand by Bolet Salvador

Hear ye, hear ye!!!

October 11 – 12, 2014, Oakland The East Bay Bonsai Society 53rd Annual Fall Show held at the Garden Center at Lake Merritt, 666 Bellevue Ave.  Hours are Saturday 10AM – 5PM and Sunday 11AM – 4PM.  Matt Reel will be conducting a demonstration on Sunday afternoon.  Trees, pots and accessories for sale.  All events free to general public.                                                                                                                         For more information, visit http://www.eastbaybonsai.org.

October 18 -19, 2014, Union City Yamato Bonsai Kai 43rd Annual Bonsai Exhibition Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church, 32975 Alvarado-Niles Road. Hours: Noon to 6PM Saturday and 10AM – 5PM Sunday.  Demonstration each day at 2PM by Johnny Uchida, working with advanced Black Pine material to create bonsai.  Don’t miss this special event.  Benefit raffle drawing each day after the demo; raffle includes demo tree.  Large vendor and plant sales area; free admission and parking.  Doctor Bonsai support will be available.                                                                                                                             For more information call Tony Hayworth at 510-289-5731 or bonsaicho@comcast.net or visit our club website: http://www.yamatobonsai.org.

October 30 to November 2, 2014, Sacramento 37^th Golden State Bonsai Federation Convention “Bonsai Visions of the West” Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, 2001 Point West Way Sacramento, CA 95815 Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Seminars and workshops all four days. Headliners are Peter Tea, Kathy Shaner and David de Groot. Special tribute to John Naka. Big vendor area.                                   More information at: http://www.gsbfconvention.org

November 9, 2014 (Saturday),  Better Bonsai Workshop at Lotus Bonsai Nursery. $65/person.                                                                       Contact bolet@lotusbonsai.com to register or for more information.

November 22, 2014 (Saturday),  Black Pine Workshop at Lotus Bonsai Nursery. $65/person.                                                                       Contact bolet@lotusbonsai.com to register or for more information.

November 23, 2014 (Sunday),  San Jose Juniper Workshop at Lotus Bonsai Nursery. $150/person. Includes tree and pot.                 Contact bolet@lotusbonsai.com to register or for more information.

November 27, 2014 (Thursday), NO CLUB MEETING!                     HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!

December 6, 2014 (Saturday),  Fresno Bonsai Society 7^th Annual Bonsai Yard Sale, 736 West Browning. Everyone is welcome to buy, sell or trade. Sales include pre-Bonsai, finished trees, pots, supplies, stands, books, suiseki and accent plants. Lunch will be available. Contact Ralph Schroeder at ralsch@sbcglobal.net or Peter Schaffert at peterschaffert@gmail.com

Note:  Addition events are listed under “Events” on the website header.  Click on it to open it up and take a look.

2014 Meeting Calendar and Agenda

October – No meeting; GSBF Convention set up                                     November –No Meeting in celebration of Thanksgiving                 December – Annual Winter party

GSBF 2014 Convention Information

The Golden State Bonsai Federation’s Annual convention will take place at the Double Tree Hotel in Sacramento, CA from October 30 to November 2, 2014. The public is welcome to view (at no charge) the exquisite bonsai exhibits, and visit the large specialty vendor area, where tools, pots, trees, stands, and supplies will be available for purchase.

Golden State Bonsai Federation and American Bonsai Society sponsored workshops, seminars, and exhibit critiques are fee-based events and require registration. Register at the event, or on-line via our website http://www.gsbfconvention.org/

For no additional charge, those who register for the day may attend the special events seen on this schedule that are marked with an asterisk.  http://www.gsbfconvention.org/schedule.html

Help Wanted Request from the Editor of Golden Statements

• Treasurer
• Advertising Manager
• Subscriptions Manager
• Part Time Assistants

The Twisted Wire

The Official Newsletter of the Gold Country Bonsai Club

 From the Bench of the President

Greetings to all Gold Country Members and Friends.  I would like to thank all the members who came to our annual club picnic.  We all supplied some very good eats and had a great time chatting with each other.  Kudos to David Holm, husband of our Treasurer, Sue Holm, for winning the “Power of One” full registration to the 2014 GSBF Convention.

At the opening of our meeting this month I would like to talk with you about putting on a Club show in June 2015.  This will be a great forum to further our bonsai education, attract new members, and for each one of us to begin to bring a tree to show quality.  Your participation is essential for the show to be a success.

September is here and we can begin to work on some other types of trees.  We can begin working on high mountain Pines, these being Lodge Pole, Japanese White Pine, Ponderosa Pine and White Pine to name a few.  They can be wired, pruned, and old needles can be removed.  We should also begin fertilizing the High Mountain Pines, this is important because the food we give them will determine how well the tree grows in the spring.

Fall is a good time to perform side grafting on Junipers and Pines if night time temperatures do not fall below freezing consistently during the winter months.  If this is the case in your micro-climate then hold off until February.

Juniper repotting can be done in either September or October if your winter temperature is mild.  If your winter temps are harsh, hold off until February, same as grafting.

Our September Meeting will be held at Burke Junction, beginning at 6:30 p.m. (new time) and in a new room, B5, which is located across the open space and to the right of our old meeting room.  The Gold Country Bonsai Club sign will be out to point the way.

See you all on the 25th.

Tips and Techniques by Scott Chadd

Now is a good time to begin feeding gently with 0-10-10 (phosphorus and potassium) to strengthen root and lower trunk to provide for a good start next spring. Keep an eye out for woolly aphids, spider mites, scale and spittle bugs. They are all active at this time of year. If you find them try physical systems first (spray with hose, scrape off with hands or toothbrush, use a damp cloth) and then follow up with oil. Don’t put oil on any plant that will get the sun that day. Apply in the evening and avoid the leaves because the oil will burn them.

Check the wires you applied in Spring and Summer (after defoliation). Your trees are actually beginning to put on a spurt of growth and the wires will bite really fast. Check the speed of drainage in your pots. Any bonsai that have slowly draining pots need to be repotted. Mark them with something you can find really easy so when the leaves are gone you can begin repotting without have to search around your collection.

Gold Country Officers and Board Members

Officers

President – Paul Vandlik – paulvan9653@gmail.com                                    Vice President – Linda Gartner – lagartne@micron.com                    Secretary – Bolet Salvador – bolet@lotusbonsai.com                    Treasurer – Sue Holm – theholms2013@gmail.com

Board Members

Don Van Dyke – don.a.van.dyke@sbcglobal.net                                             Paul Holtzen – pbholtzen@sbcglobal.net                                                        Scott Chadd – scottchadd@lotusbonsai.com                                                  Pat Flynn – ptflynn@sbcglobal.net

Heard From The Bonsai Stand by Bolet Salvador

Hear ye, hear ye!!!

September 27-28, 2014, Penryn. Sierra Bonsai Club Show and Buddhist Church Festival Placer Buddhist Church 3192 Boyington Road, Penryn, Annual Teriyaki Festival & Bazaar. Saturday 11 to 5, Sunday 11 to 4. Open to the public. This is a very popular community event and a well-attended chicken teriyaki barbecue festival, serving 5,000 chickens during the weekend. Our Scott Chadd will be doing afternoon demonstrations both days. A must-go-to event.           Contact Mark Knittle at 530-401-2610 for more information.

October 4, 2014, San Jose Midori Bonsai Club 53rd Annual Show Northside Community Center, 488 6th Street Hours are 10 AM to 5 PM with demonstration at 1 PM by Juan Cruz (tree will be raffled off). Beginner’s workshop from 10 AM to 1 PM.  Advice from Dr. Bonsai for trees brought in. Large plant sale by club members along with many vendors with bonsai supplies and trees. Free admission and parking.                                                                                                                       For more information contact John Thompson at jtbonsai@gmail.com

October 11 – 12, 2014, Oakland The East Bay Bonsai Society 53rd Annual Fall Show held at the Garden Center at Lake Merritt, 666 Bellevue Ave.  Hours are Saturday 10AM – 5PM and Sunday 11AM – 4PM.  Matt Reel will be conducting a demonstration on Sunday afternoon.  Trees, pots and accessories for sale.  All events free to general public.                                                                                                                         For more information, visit http://www.eastbaybonsai.org.

October 18 -19, 2014, Union City Yamato Bonsai Kai 43rd Annual Bonsai Exhibition Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church, 32975 Alvarado-Niles Road. Hours: Noon to 6PM Saturday and 10AM – 5PM Sunday.  Demonstration each day at 2PM by Johnny Uchida, working with advanced Black Pine material to create bonsai.  Don’t miss this special event.  Benefit raffle drawing each day after the demo; raffle includes demo tree.  Large vendor and plant sales area; free admission and parking.  Doctor Bonsai support will be available.                                                                                                                             For more information call Tony Hayworth at 510-289-5731 or bonsaicho@comcast.net or visit our club website: http://www.yamatobonsai.org.

October 30 to November 2, 2014, Sacramento 37^th Golden State Bonsai Federation Convention “Bonsai Visions of the West” Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, 2001 Point West Way Sacramento, CA 95815 Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Seminars and workshops all four days. Headliners are Peter Tea, Kathy Shaner and David de Groot. Special tribute to John Naka. Big vendor area.                                   More information at: http://www.gsbfconvention.org

Note:  Addition events are listed under “Events” on the website header.  Click on it to open it up and take a look.

2014 Meeting Calendar and Agenda

 *September – Bring your own tree, fall preparation. Last hands-on meeting of the year!!!                                                                                         October – No meeting; GSBF Convention set up                                     November –No Meeting in celebration of Thanksgiving                 December – Annual Winter party

*Please note that as of September, club meetings will still be held in the Burke Junction Shopping Center. Only the room number has changed to B5. Our sandwich sign will be out to direct you. The start time has also changed to 6:30 p.m.

Pictures for the Club Picnic

                                                     Ellen giving a horticultural lesson to Don, Paul and Andy.

                                               Jennifer laughing at Scott’s jokes.

                                                Paul H., bonsai touchdown?

                                                   Don and Greg inspection a redwood.

                                                Paul H., focused on the camera

                                                 Happy Bolet, as usual

                                                  Pat, Greg, Don T., and Paul V., talking bonsai

                                              Happy Paul H., a cold one in hand after a hot day

The Twisted Wire

The Official Newsletter of the Gold Country Bonsai Club

 From the Desk of the President

Greetings to all Gold Country Members and Friends, I hope your trees held up during the hot weather of July. We still have August to get through but so far we have not had consistent upper 90’s low 100’s. The evenings have brought cooler temperatures so hopefully we soon will be over the hot weather and our trees will not be so stressed out.

By now you all should have received the invitation to the Club’s annual “Barbecue”! I am looking forward to seeing you all at my house on Thursday the 28th; it is always a fun night. We will be raffling off a full GSBF Convention Registration to a lucky club member, which is valued at $289, so email me with your RSVP; also indicate your significant other or family who will attend and what side dish you will be bring and I will email you with my address and the gate code to enter the community.

See you all on the 28th!

Tips and Techniques by Scott Chadd

We stopped feeding our bonsai about 3 weeks ago. Toward the end of September we will treat them all with 0-10-10 to help them get ready for winter. The last month has been used to defoliate Japanese Maples, trim the big Chinese Elms, work on all the different trees that are growing here.

This time of year is the “Dog Days”, it is so hot that going outside for an hour can be a real effort. Drink lots of water and make sure your bonsai are given plenty of water also. The Maples that we defoliated three weeks ago are making such nice small (and green) leaves to replace the ratty brown ones that were just hanging on. Not many pests this time of year for us.

Looking forward to the party.

Gold Country Officers and Board Members

Officers

President – Paul Vandlik – paulvan9653@gmail.com                                Vice President – Linda Gartner lagartne@micron.com                       Secretary – Bolet Salvador bolet@lotusbonsai.com                             Treasurer – Sue Holm theholms2013@gmail.com

Board Members

Don Van Dyke – don.a.van.dyke@sbcglobal.net                                          Paul Holtzen – pbholtzen@sbcglobal.net                                                      Scott Chadd – scottchadd@lotusbonsai.com                                                  Pat Flynn – ptflynn@sbcglobal.net

Heard From The Bonsai Stand by Bolet Salvador

Hear ye, hear ye!!!

September 27-28, 2014, Sierra Bonsai Club Show and Buddhist Church Festival Placer Buddhist Church, 3192 Boyington Road, Penryn, Annual Teriyaki Festival & Bazaar.  Saturday 11-5, Sunday 11-4. Open to the public. This is a very popular community event and a well-attended chicken teriyaki barbecue festival, serving 5,000 chickens during the weekend. Our Scott Chadd will be doing demonstrations both days. A must-go-to event.                                 Contact Mark Knittle at 530-401-2610 for more information.

October 4, 2014, San Jose, California, Midori Bonsai Club: 53rd annual show Northside Community Center, 488 6th St.  Hours are 10 AM – 5 PM with demonstration at 1 PM by Juan Cruz (tree will be raffled off). Beginner’s workshop from 10 AM – 1 PM.  Advice from Dr. Bonsai for trees brought in. Large plant sale by club members along with many vendors with bonsai supplies and trees. Free admission and parking.                                                                                                   For more information contact John Thompson at jtbonsai@gmail.com

October 30-November 2, 2014, Golden State Bonsai Federation Convention Double Tree by Hilton Hotel — 2001 Point West Way Sacramento, CA 95815 Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Seminars and workshops all four days.

Note:  Addition events are listed under “Events” on the website header.  Click on it to open it up and take a look.

2014 Meeting Calendar and Agenda

In Lieu of our usual meeting we will be holding our Annual Summer Potluck on Thursday August 28, 2014 from 6-9pm  and will be held at the Vandlik Home 111 Gage Ct, El Dorado Hills.   To RSVP, call Paul at (916) 476-0583.  To get gate code and tell him what dish you will be bringing.

 *September – Bring your own tree, fall prep. Bishop trip.                        October – No meeting; GSBF set up                                                                November – Thanksgiving—No Meeting                                            December – Annual Winter party

*Please note that as of September, meetings will still be held in the Burke Junction Shopping Center. Only the room number has changed to B5. Our sandwich sign will be out to direct you.        The time has also changed — 6:30-9pm