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USPS Issues Bonzai Theme "Forever" Stamps |
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Friday, 23 December 2011 |
This story on the USPS stamp collector's website should be of interest to all Bonsai aficionados:
With these five stamps, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the beauty
of bonsai. The word “bonsai” (Japanese for “plant in a pot”) refers to
the art of cultivating plants — usually trees — in trays, pots, or other
containers. Favorite bonsai plants include evergreens, maples, and
azaleas, but many other trees and shrubs are also suitable. This
horticultural art form has become popular in many parts of the world. A
large number of bonsai are on permanent display in Washington, D.C., at
the United States National Arboretum.
One of the common styles of
bonsai is shown on each of these five stamps. The first stamp depicts a
Sierra juniper in semi-cascade style, in which the tip projects over the
pot rim but does not extend below the base. Second is a trident maple
in informal upright style, in which the trunk bends slightly to the left
or right. Third is a black pine in formal upright style, with the trunk
straight and tapering evenly, with symmetrical branches, from base to
apex. Fourth is an azalea plant in multiple-trunk style, with several
trunks emerging from one root system. The fifth and final stamp shows a
banyan in cascade style, in which the trunk evokes a stream flowing down
a mountainside, with the tip extending below the pot’s base. The plants
depicted are roughly 15 to 20 inches tall.
Read the whole story on their website
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Last Updated ( Friday, 23 December 2011 )
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Wednesday, 22 June 2011 |
This year, I permitted my Satsuki Azalea to flower. No, not all the flower buds were permitted to progress into white, red and multicolor blooms. A great number of buds were removed before they ever opened to preserve the tree’s strength and energy. A number of photos were taken but only one is shown…..(continued)
After the blooms, the flowers and seed pods were removed. The tree was taken to the May meeting of the Memphis Bonsai Society where the process of  leaf removal and Motobadome took place. Motobadome is a technique of leaf tip/bud trimming that was taught and demonstrated by David our Kreutz at a Bonsai Society meeting a number of years ago. Removing the foliage really opened up the inner branches and trunk to the sunlight that, by the way, in yard is from mid morning to early afternoon. Otherwise the Satsuki enjoys shade and protection from the hot afternoon sun. This opening will hopefully permit advantageous buds deeper into the tree to bud out and grow branches. This is exactly what I want since the canopy of the tree was getting too large and needed to be pruned back to make a more compact tree. A photo of the “denuded” tree is shown. One can see that the tree is opened up with few and small clipped leaves permitting light to get to the inner branches.
I was reasonably pleased with the preparation of the tree for back-budding …BUT there are now concerns. From notes taken when David Kreutz made a presentation on Satsukis and also from his handouts, he had indicated that the Satsuki azalea will go dormant in temperatures over 90 degrees. We have experienced extremely hot weather very early this year. In fact, we have had record tying and record setting temperatures in the mid to upper 90’s and they are expected to stay in the low to mid 90’s for an extended period of time. As a result, I have questions. How will the extreme temperatures affect my foliage-stripped Satsuki. Will there be any back-budding if the tree in fact goes dormant? If so, will the new branchlets grow so I can reduce the canopy and get the desired compaction of the tree? Don’t know the answers but will pay special attention to the tree (and my other Satsukis which had the same technique applied) to see what may happen and continue to give them tender loving care. When the answer comes, I’ll let you know.
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MBS Treasurer Fred Nowak featured in Photosynthesis Magazine |
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Monday, 07 March 2011 |
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About Photosynthesis Magazine:
Stephanie Miller is the creator, publisher and very talented
photographer. She is the wife of Chris Cosby who, in addition to his
many Botanic Garden responsibilities, is the Curator of the Children's
Big Back Yard at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Fred Nowak works with Chris on
occasion but mostly with his Greenhouse person, Mannie. He found out
about Photosynthesis through Chris and his wife found out about his
interest in bonsai through him and their precious daughter, Chloe, to
whom he had given a couple of small bonsai plants. Folks can find out
more by going to the websites he indicates in the article reprint
(4.2 MB PDF, Click here ).
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Last Updated ( Monday, 07 March 2011 )
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Friday, 28 January 2011 |
In what has become an annual tradition, Kathy Shaner is scheduled to conduct a  two day workshop on March 5th and 6th, 9AM to 5 PM, both Saturday and Sunday, will be held at the Memphis Botanic Garden at the Guest House in the Children’s BIG BACK YARD.
Here is the detailed information:
Saturday’s program will be about Bonsai practices and processes and discussion of trees that members may bring. Sunday will be an all day workshop. Members will bring their own trees, tools and necessary materials to work with. Be prepared to work and wire
Kathy will not be doing any potting at these workshops. If you want to repot, be prepared to do it by yourself. It takes too much time for her to do this. It takes valuable time away from the other participants. The main thrust of this workshop is to refine and improve; to take our trees to the next level.
You must be a paid up member of the Memphis Bonsai Society.
Spots for the Sunday Workshop will be limited to 6 people and will be available on a first come-first served basis.There is no limit for participation in the Saturday Session.
Cost is $75.00 for one day only: $125.00 for the both days.
Cost is $10.00 for observation only on Sunday.
Only bring trees that have been worked on. Do not bring stock that is raw, is not in a Bonsai Pot and has not been worked on.
PLEASE LET Fred know by Monday, Feb. 28th.
Your requests and checks, payable to the Memphis Bonsai Society, are to be sent to Fred Nowak at 2328 White Ash Cove, Memphis, TN 38119 (758-1488)
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