The Club will be taking our large marquee to the event so that any Swindon club member can bring a tree along for selection to go on the display. We try to show trees of all abilities so that it is of interest to the public viewing and not off putting with just show trees being displayed. It’s always a good day out with plenty to see and do. This is a show that we as a club have attended for a number of years. https://wanboroughshow.org/
Yet another successful Bonsai boot sale, the new location near Southwick was a big area so everyone could spread out. The heavy rain and thunder forecast for the day held off, It was a light drizzle during the opening but that didn’t stop the hardy crowd of visitors. There was a good selection of bonsai things to buy, including garden plants and ornament traders this kept everyone happy. It was good to catch up with friends after months of lockdown as well as meeting new people in the hobby. Well done to Tony, Chris and all those involved with the event.
One day I was eating a pomegranate when I had a sudden thought; could I grow one of these seeds. At Christmas I had been given a book on growing exotic fruit like oranges and lemons etc. In it they said to put the whole seed on a plate on the window sill and leave it until it started to go mouldy, then plant it in seed compost and place it in the airing cupboard, this was in 1991. Sure enough in no time several seedlings popped up, one of them I went on to develop into this tree.
Only 3 weeks to go….There are about 39 seller pitches booked to date. These include top pot makers, tree suppliers, tools and soils. There will be trade sellers and private sellers. Sellers include Walsall ceramics, Gordon duffet, Dragonfly pots, Wood and clay, Collette’s Bonsai, Chris Thomas, Paul Rogers ceramics, Oceans organic bonsai feed, Troll pots, Spectre ceramics, and Oakfield Bonsai. Also 6 bonsai clubs have agreed to attend including Chichester, Swindon, Warminster, Blackmore vale, Salisbury, Staverton and UK Bonsai Association (UKBA).
Book your pitch to sale if you haven’t already through the contacts on the poster. And remember buyers are free entry.
Further info………. There is entry to site from pm the day before and you can free camp overnight. There is a barbecue for anyone wishing to do this. A burger van and ice cream van will be there on the day. Arriving to set up anytime Sunday morning if not the day before. Gates open at 9am for buying.
At last we are able to hold our club meetings back at the Coleview centre. The tables have been well spaced out so we can keep our distance from each other, if needed. There weren’t too many of us at the first meeting, due to many reasons but at least it attracted two new possible members to attend to ask many questions. Here are a few quick photos from the evening…….
This Trident Maple started life as a cutting purchased in 1988 for 50 pence. It was planted in a length of drain pipe for two years to help develop long roots, during this time it was fed well. It was then taken out of the pipe, all the soil washed off, sat on this piece of stone and tied in place with Raffia. The roots were laid out and any surplus ones wound round or tied to others. It was then planted in my front garden, during this time the height of the tree was not reduced.
This is unusual. Hoya Kerrii is classified somewhere between a succulent and a plant. From south-east Asia, they are used as houseplants for the rather obvious visual quality. They have water-holding leaves and a shallow root system. Interestingly if you purchase a single or double-leaf plant like mine you won’t be able to propagate or grow it on further. This is a cutting, and has no node. I thought I would have a go at creating a bonsai style one for a bit of fun.
Several years ago, the club decided to award a merit shield to a club member, together with a voucher to attend one of John Trott’s workshops near Shepton Mallet, so not too far away. This was decided by the current committee and consideration was given to the improvement of members trees, what that member had contributed to the club and which member’s trees would benefit from a workshop. John is well known in bonsai circles and regularly displays a major events and RHS shows. In 2019 he was recognised by the RHS [Royal Horticultural Society] as their ‘Master Grower’ for that year……… https://swindon-bonsai.co.uk/2019/05/18/rhs-master-grower-john-trott/
The Coleview Community Centre is now open again, so meetings will hopefully start again at 7.30pm on Tuesday the 8th June 2021 in the Towcester Suite [Big Hall]. For the time being it will be workshops until we can compile a new programme to take us up to the AGM next March. Any members with ideas of what you would like to cover during our meetings please let a Committee member know.
I had my eye on this little Ginseng Fig with a view of air layering the top bit. The long aerial roots are a hallmark of this plant, but I saw a small ‘sumo’ style configuration at the top of this tree which I wanted to create. So here we go.
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