At our last meeting, Mark shared his insights on pruning and his approach to how he sets about working on bonsai.
So we decided to remix the UK Bonsai Association’s event calendar just for a bit of fun. On this map you will find the 24/25 events based on location rather than chronologically.
Share & enjoy! You can view the map outside our website here
This evening we delved into the art of pairing bonsai trees with accent plants. These companion plants, also known as kusamono or shitakusa, add depth and context to bonsai displays. They can even be fun on their own, paired in the right pot.
Derek also put on a Cactus & Succulent display to advertise his upcoming show this weekend in Melksham.
Oh, and there was the usual workshop going on in the background
Every year, the small Cotswold village of Shilton hosts an ‘Open Gardens’ under the National Gardens Scheme. Swindon club were again back with a marquee display of bonsai, with a work table alongside and even some honey sales from Mandy’s bees. The sun even made an appearance a few times during the day and it stayed dry. A number of gardens in the village were open for viewing, with plant sales and even a cream tea in the village hall…………. if you got there before they were all eaten!!! Here are a few photos to enjoy.
Congratulations to all those involved in setting up a stunning bonsai display at the RHS Chelsea Flower show again this year under the banner of the Federation of British Bonsai. It is a lot of work to organise and plan and set up the stand as well as man the stand and then take it all down again and repatriate the bonsai trees, so well done to all. The overall show was fabulous as always and so much to see and so many stunning plants, flowers and trees throughout the gardens and stands.
This was the follow up session run by Andy on Pines following on from last year when he let the club members wire the young pines. Since then he has removed the wire and repotted them in preparation now for pruning, early styling designs and more wiring. Thank you Andy for a fun and informative evening where everyone got to participate and join in and work on a pine.
This Saturdays workshop with Chris Thomas was a great event for Swindon Club members and all our workshops are part of your annual membership at no extra cost so it is well worth attending these and this one was no exception from the expertise and advice provided by Chris on the day.
We had a good turn out for the day with many club members bringing in a wide range of tree species and sizes of bonsai trees in various stages of development to work on with Chris. He was able to help with styling, health and maintenance advice as well as carving.