Jake Hobson

Jake Hobson Niwaki

We are pleased to announce this years judging line up at our winter show is going to be a little different, first off we’re thrilled to have Jake Hobson, garden tree specialist and author will be joining the judging panel. For those of you who don’t know him here is a bit of background.

How it all began

In 1997. Jake goes to Japan as a wannabe sculptor, to investigate the cultural phenomenon of the cherry blossom season, hanami. There he discovers the gardens, and the trees, and vows to learn more. Back home in England, he trains as a TEFL teacher, meets Keiko, and drags her back to Japan. Year one is spent teaching, year two working at a traditional plant nursery in a rural part of Osaka, learning all about tree training, pruning and rootballing. Back home again, Jake gets work at Architectural Plants in Sussex, where he is shocked to find people using FOUR LEGGED LADDERS (Can you imagine?) Brother-in-law Haruyasu is enrolled to ship over a couple of tripod ladders (still going strong today) which together with the robust Okatsune secateurs and topiary clippers Jake insists on using, cause quite a stir. And so begins the business.

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Root stands

Eucalyptus root stand

Eucalyptus

Swindon club member Kit has been very busy recently, he has been whittling these beautifully crafted root stands. I have always adored these unique pieces of craftsmanship; you won’t often find these stands available through retailers as they just aren’t commercially viable to produce because of the investment of time it takes to produce each and the return on this. This only makes them more alluring.

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Pomegranate as Bonsai

Pomegranate

Punica granatum is the Pomegranate. This is a semi deciduous tree which looses leaves if kept cool in winter. The tree is broadleaved. It has bright red flowers but some forms are white, pink or yellow and can have single or double flowers.

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Bonsai pot colour guide

Main image

In general there are a few rules when it comes to pot colour selection that are based around aesthetics in order that your bonsai trees are displayed to their advantage.

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January meeting

Pot selection

At this time of year it is all about preparation for our upcoming show. Tonight the topic in discussion under everyones’ lips is pot choice. Getting the right pot for the right tree can be tricky, and a matter of taste. Trying to keep a pot in an oversized, cheaper pot for most of the year is a good idea as it aids the health for the tree but also keeps your ‘show pots’ in better condition.

A tokonoma display area was set up so everyone can see what arrangements look like in situate, having a good selection of pots to choose from is helpful, as well as other people’s opinion to get another perspective.

Winter protection

Cold greenhouse

Ask any bonsai enthusiast here in the UK about what they do to protect their trees during the winter and you will usually get a very confident answer; although there does seem to be variation in what people say. I will offer one piece of advice straight away, the smaller the tree the more protection you should give it, this is all dependant on conditions of course and there are no right or wrong answers. The more options you have the better off you will be, the more precautions you take the better off the tree will be. You can extend the growing season by using good protection and lessen the possibility of ill health or worse death. The vast majority of trees do require a period of dormancy however.

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Information for 2015 ‘Winter Image’ show

GOOD NEWS – The bridge is open as works have been cancelled. So just ignore whats below………..see you all at the show 

Railway bridge closure, November – April 2015

This information is for anyone attending the ‘Winter Image’ show on the 22nd Feb 2015.

I wasn’t going to post this just yet, but a number of people are already arranging their accommodation within the Swindon area and they may find this helpful.

It affects anyone attending the show venue, from the town side of Grange Drive. The railway bridge on the B4006 at Greenbridge, has been closed and will remain so until April 2015 while they renew and raise the bridge for the electrification of the main London railway system. There is a diversion signed, but it takes you back towards the town centre. See Map

The railway bridge on Ermin Street, which is off the A419 Swindon bypass, A420 Oxford Road junction is no problem and may be your best route to the show. It is controlled by traffic lights which keeps the traffic moving as it is busy at peak times. Luckily the show is on a Sunday as traffic is lighter.

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