Wanborough Country Show 2023

Today we took the club marquee to the Annual Wanborough Country Show. The original idea of the marquee was to allow all members of the club no matter what their ability or stage their tree is in to display something for the visitors to admire. There was a good mixture of species and many questions from the public were answered. Most of the photographs were taken just after everything had been set up and before the show was open, so a chance to sit down, recover and have breakfast. We had enough space to put up an smaller gazebo and do a workshop as well as store some of our kit.

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Bristol show 2023

Sunday the 13th August 2023 saw the Bristol club show, a nice relaxed display of trees and a good catch up with old and new friends. The show was officially opened by Jon Wheatley from the RHS with John Trott [Mendip Bonsai] as compare. During Jon’s address he mentioned that the RHS are trying to promote Children’s interest in horticulture by giving them a chance to grow a tree. A great idea for the hobby of bonsai. The winning display voted for by the visitors is pictured above, with more photos below. As well as the other exhibits on display and general photos of the traders. Click on the photo to enlarge.

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August meeting

One of us had a busy evening ahead of us. We ended up working on our trees in this month’s meeting mostly. Most of us had a good level of growth this summer which is great to see.

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The Newt, Somerset

Recently I went on a day trip to The Newt in Somerset as part of a Horticultural Society day out. I was amazed at the transformation of the gardens and wider site which are well worth a visit. There is a newly created Japanese Garden with a beautiful bonsai display and Niwaki garden trees which I thought would be worth sharing with the bonsai community as well as anyone who is interested. Plus the site is full of hidden gems and projects including a grotto, orchards, a vegetable garden, walled garden, the new four-season gardens, ponds teaming with newts, the deer park, lakes, restaurants a hotel and so much more.

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British Cactus and Succulent Society Wiltshire Branch Show 2023

British Cactus and Succulent Society Wiltshire Branch Show 2023 show poster

The Wiltshire Branch will be holding its annual show in Melksham Assembly Hall in the Market Place this Saturday 17th June. There will be all sorts of plants on show including a bonsai display. Admission is only £1 and children get in free if accompanied by an adult. The show is supported by Melksham Town Council.

Full address is Melksham Assembly Hall, The Market Place, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 6ES

Air layering @Club Night

Tonight we had a short presentation by Amelia on air layering then anyone who wanted could have a chance to practice their air layering with the air layering kits Amelia provided.

Air layering stimulates the production of aerial roots which form in a moist environment as a response to the damage to the cells around the cut wound made on the stem from the upper section. Many species are suitable to take air layers from including Amelanchier, Apples, Azaleas, Beech, Birch, Blackthorn, Camellia, Chaenomeles, Cherries, Elms, Figs, Forsythia, Hazel, Jasmine, Juniper, Lilac, Magnolia, Maples, Oaks, Pears, Privet, Lime, Rhododendron, Spindle, Yew and Laburnum to name a few.

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