BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 1

JANUARY 2013

Bonsai Society of Dallas

Monthly Member Newsletter January 2013

Message from the President

Happy 2013 to you all! I'm glad to kick off another year of serving as a
IN THIS ISSUE: board member and now President of BSD. It's very exciting to begin the
year with a strong and active Board of Directors. This year we added two
• Message from the President
Member-at-Large roles to the board for added input. Thanks to Mary
• January Program Polk and Hiram Quinones for volunteering. We are all hoping to serve
• Club Digs you well and encourage all of our individual members to share your ideas,
• Upcoming Events
suggestions and comments on how to make the next two years in bonsai
both enjoyable and educational.
• Events Elsewhere
• January Bonsai – Tips and We have a heck of a year in the planning including several good hands-on
Advice programs, an exciting convention in New Braunfels (read about the
• December in Review convention raffle below), and some fun packed activities to look forward
to. First on our list is a great demo and workshop given by Hurley
• LSBF Convention Update
Johnson and his assistants (see below for details). The following week is
the club buying trip to Dallas Bonsai Garden. Remember to look at their
on-line catalog for your pottery and bonsai supply list. You can refer to
last month's newsletter for a tool guide as this will prepare you for
BSD BOARD OF DIRECTORS
February's meeting. Then two weeks later (date change) is our club dig at
Sylvia Smith, President Rio Vista so please read this newsletter carefully so you don't miss out on
slysmith@tx.rr.com directions and a quick guide on what to bring.
Paul Muraida, Vice President, Program
Chair
Please remember that you must have your 2013 membership dues paid to
anast1925@aol.com join us for the shopping trip or the digs so be sure to bring those to our
January meeting if you have not already paid.
Chuck Talley, Treasurer
chuck_talley@tandybrands.com Like I said, your Board of Directors is staying busy keeping you bonsai
Diane Lowe, Secretary active! I hope you're able to attend at least one of the above
diane_lowe@live.com activities....but who says you can't do them all?
Jerry Riley, Member Relations
jafa625@gmail.com
Happy Bonsai!

John Miller, President Emeritus

Sylvia
bonsaimiller@aol.com

Les Porter, Newsletter Editor Bonsai Art Book (OK,

lesliep@baylorheath.edu
Mary Polk, Member at Large
doggiedigs2@att.net
Hiram Quinones, Member at Large
hiramaquinones@yahoo.com
(OK, ititisisa a coffee
coffee tabletable
book,book,
but it isbut it is beautiful)
beautiful)
If you were at the December meeting, we passed around a 'prototype' of a
beautiful book of unique photographs of bonsai. That book has since been
published and is entitled Fine Bonsai: Art & Nature. In its finished form it is
400 pages with 596 color photographs. It measures 12" x 15' and is available
through International Bonsai.

For more information go to www.internationalbonsai.com.

Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com

BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
JANUARY 2013

January Program and Workshop

Guest Artist – Hurley Johnson Upcoming
9:00 AM to Noon and 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM Events
North Haven Gardens
Saturday, January 5th, 9 – 12 Noon
We start our 2013 programs with our friend Guest Artist – Hurley Johnson
and guest artist, Hurley Johnson from the
Houston area. He will be bringing a few Saturday, January 12th, 9 – 12 Noon
friends, one of whom is Alex Leong from the Club Bonsai Buying Trip to Dallas
Houston Chinese Bonsai Society. Did you Bonsai
know they have their very own Chinese
Sunday, January 27th, 9 a.m.
speaking bonsai group in Houston? Alex is a
Club Dig – Rio Vista
native of Hong Kong and has been a featured
speaker at the Houston Bonsai Society for
Saturday, Feb. 2nd, 9 – 12 Noon
several years, as well as instructor at
Study Group with Bonsai Smiths
Timeless Trees. He has also been selected as
a speaker for the Lone Star Bonsai Federation. He is a carpenter/cabinet
Saturday, Feb. 9th, 9 a.m.
maker by trade and also builds wonderful bonsai stands. We will also have
Club Dig - Whitesboro
Ken Credeur and Ray Gonzalez here to assist Alex and Hurley as well.
Saturday, March 2nd, 9 – 12 Noon
All of their attention will be focused on helping us learn more about the Guest Artist – John Kirby
Podocarpus, a subtropical that is quite hardy in our area and only needs
moving into winter quarters when it gets into the 20’s. The podocarpus
macrophyllus, also known as the Buddhist Pine, is from the conifer group and
has elongated oval leaves. It produces yew-like purple fruit, and is a native
Events
of Japan, China and Himalayan Asia. These trees have very hard wood that Elsewhere
can take extensive carving to create interesting jin and shari.
Our morning session will feature a mature
specimen that Alex will style, while we learn January 19th – 20th
about the proper care and development of this Bay Island Bonsai Annual Exhibit
interesting tree. After the program we will Oakland, CA
raffle the demonstration tree. Raffle tickets will
be $5 each or 5 tickets for $20. If you own any February 16th
podocarpus, be sure to bring them in for ‘show Shohin Society of Texas
and tell’. You will be able to get proper care and Austin, TX
styling advice from any one of our guests.
April 11th – 14th
We also have an afternoon session which is a LSBF 2013 State Convention
workshop for up to 10 attendees beginning at New Braunfels, TX
1:30 p.m. We expanded the number of seats
because we have four instructors so you will get May 24th – 26th
quite a lot of individual attention. Hurley was also able to acquire more Brussels Annual Rendezvous
material so there will be lots to choose from. The workshop is offered on a Olive Branch, MS
first come/first served basis for a fee of $49.00 which includes the tree.
Bring your own tools and wire, although we will have extra if you need it. June 6th – 9th
International Bonsai Colloquium
Please contact Diane Lowe at diane_lowe@live.com if you wish to register Rochester, NY
for the workshop. All club members are welcome to attend the workshop for
silent observation.  October 4th – 6th
Artisan Cup
Portland, OR

Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com

BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
JANUARY 2013

Club Digs
It’s all about moving a little dirt……
Many of us speak enthusiastically about a club dig. Have
you ever wondered why? It is a lot of work to Finding Your Tree
successfully extract a tree from the ground during a One of the hardest things to do is to patiently look for
potentially cold winter day, but it is well worth it when just the right tree. As our friend John Miller always tells
you find a tree worthy of the effort. Here are a few tips us, try to only look at the bottom six inches of the tree as
to help. you consider if it will make a good bonsai. For the most
part, the rest will go away and be replaced with new
Bringing the Right Tools branches as you develop it. Resist the urge to rush to dig
Those who have gone on digs before have developed early and dig often. That will result in a lot of work and
their own favorite tools and supplies to bring. These very little to show for your effort in the coming years.
vary a bit for each of us, but generally you need the tools Perhaps as you look you may find one of interest. Look
and items shown below. down below the soil line and evaluate the root flare.
Does it still hold your interest? Tag it and keep looking
We highly recommend until you have several to consider and pick from. It is
the use of the better to go home with one good tree (or none at all) than
sharpshooter shovel. several mediocre options dug hastily.
That long narrow blade
is essential for this type Digging
of work. Loppers are Start by clearing the area around the root base as well as
also a necessity to your work area. You will be bringing a lot of soil up and
prune back branches out of the ground so you need plenty of room. Prune
and surrounding small back the long branches to get the tree into a manageable
trees to create your size. Visualize it as a balled and burlaped tree you would
work area. The heavy find at a nursery as that is the end goal. The most
weight of the small important thing is to get it dug and secured for transport
mattock will help break without breaking the root ball. This will ensure the
up the soil and a small greatest chance of its survival.
hand shovel will be
useful to remove soil Determine the radius of the
that has been loosened. root ball and begin to dig
A small pruning saw is straight down and outward,
also a good thing to never getting any closer to
bring. the trunk from that radius
line as you dig. Keep going
Supplies to consider down and create a wide
are burlap, twine, trench all the way around.
cellophane spool (the It needs to be wide so that
wider the better), when you reach the right
duct tape, and depth, you have enough
misting bottle. room to begin to excavate
Safety glasses, under the root ball. During
gloves, kneepads, the time you are digging down never dig toward the
small wagon, a bottle trunk or in any way try to lift the root ball. This will
of water and some cause the root ball to fall apart and you might as well fill
snacks aren’t a bad the hole and start somewhere else.
idea either.

Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com

BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 4
JANUARY 2013

Club Digs (cont’d)
Once you have it at the right depth, turn your shovel
backwards and begin to round out the base of your ball
toward the trunk. Work all the way around until you
have the shape of a ball, never trying to lift the tree. At a
certain point you will want to shift to hand tools to figure
out what stands in your way of freeing the ball. It most
likely will be a large root or two in which case you will
reach for your loppers or hand saw to make the cut. But
first, secure the ball with cellophane wrap or duct tape to
hold it together. Have burlap, tarp, or strong plastic bag
handy to use as a sling to roll the root ball onto to get at
the root still holding it to the ground.
Once severed, roll it back further, wrap more tape around
it to incorporate the bottom of the ball, then spread the
burlap fully underneath and lay back into the hole. This
will allow you and a buddy to grab each end of the burlap
and lift the root ball out of the hole.
Now that you have it up and out of the ground secure the
root ball for transport by wrapping it as tightly as
possible so it does not break apart. Twine over the
burlap is the way the pros do it. Backfill the hole with all
the loosened soil and tamp down to restore the area close
to its original condition. We want to make sure we don’t
create a hazard for something or someone who comes
walking along after we are gone.
There will be experienced club members there to help the
newcomers. As a matter of fact, Mark Bynum who has
extensive experience in both the landscape nursery
business as well as at many club digs, will be at the Rio
Vista dig specifically to help all the newbies. Mark was
our featured speaker at a program on proper digging
techniques. His valuable handout is available to
members who might be interested; send an email to
diane_lowe@live.com for a copy.
We will also discuss the tree’s aftercare that day as well
so you know how to take care of it once you get it home.
Be sure you have paid your 2013 membership dues or
bring them with you, and come find out what it is all
about. It will be a nice drive in the country, a brisk walk
among nature observing trees and wildlife, good
exercise, and fun hanging out with bonsai friends. Join
us for either or both of our 2013 digs! 

Note New Date: Sunday, January 27th – Rio Vista Dig

Directions and map on the last page of the newsletter

Dallas Bonsai Shopping Trip – January 12th, 9 am - noon

Be sure to join us for our annual shopping trip
to Fred Meyer’s Dallas Bonsai. He offers club
members a special discount this one day only.
It is important that you’ve made your selections
in advance and bring your list. Go to
www.dallasbonsai.com. This is a warehouse,
not a traditional retail store however there is a
room full of pots to choose from.

Dallas Bonsai
4460 West Walnut Street
Garland, TX 75042

If you have questions, you can speak with Fred

at (800) 982-1223 M – F from 1 pm to 5 pm.

Come prepared with your list and your holiday

money to spend. Fred hopes to see you there!

Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
 BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 5
JANUARY 2013
January Bonsai
Tips and Advice
by John Miller
On New Year’s Day many people make resolutions as to
what they want to do or not do or what to change etc. I
do not care to do this as such, but I like to take the time
when a project slows down to review its progress and to
check to see if it is still a viable option or does its
direction need to be altered. In bonsai we need to
evaluate both our trees and ourselves. Wintertime gives
us a good opportunity to do so, especially for the bare
deciduous trees.
The coldest nights usually come the last two weeks in
January, but don’t bet the farm on it. Just watch the
forecasts and check the lows (ignore the highs, they are
for people not plants). Have some plans in mind in case
we have some extreme weather.
Your primary job in cold weather is to be sure your trees
are well watered before going into a deep freeze. They
will be losing water to evaporation but will not be able to
replenish it if the soil is frozen. Protection from high
winds is also necessary so the tops will not dry out.
Sunlight is not necessary on deciduous trees when they
have lost their leaves. In fact, it can be bad for the tree
because it will heat up the trunk and soil and that could
make the tree come out of dormancy too early.
Tender or tropical trees that are kept indoors will be
using more water to offset the lower humidity. Soil will
also be losing water faster through its surface. Be sure to
watch the indoor trees for insect problems. Most plant
insects love a controlled atmosphere like the indoors.
Spider mites seem to get the most attention here because
they do great in low humidity and the lack of foliage
spraying. Scale can be an easily overlooked source of
trouble. The flat green kind can be hard to spot on the
underside of leaves or tight against the stem. Indoor
trees need to be fertilized regularly and will require
periodic trimming as they continue to grow through the
winter. Be careful that plants in a sunny window do not
get their leaves scalded.
Greenhouses are much the same as indoors. However,
most greenhouses are kept more humid. The higher
humidity is to the liking of aphids and fungal diseases. It
may also result in your keeping the soil too moist with
associated root problems. Use your standard insect
controls that you used last summer. I use my organic
foliar spray all winter.
Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
Back to the outdoor trees; any long warm spells during
the month could activate some of the insect problems but
as a rule there are no special needs to look for in January.
Check trunks and branches for tiny scales. Spraying with
a dormant oil spray will kill adults, nymphs, and eggs of
any trying to over-winter on your trees. Some dormant
sprays can be used on new growth but better results
overall will be obtained if you do it before Valentine’s
Day. A weak lime sulphur dormant spray will also get
fungal spores and should be done before Feb 1 and not at
all if any green is showing. Just be careful with the lime
sulfur; follow label directions closely.
In January I would not recommend any feeding of
outdoor trees. Any feeding might cause them to start
spring activity before the end of the bad weather.
After tending to the daily needs of your trees, take time
to study one or two thoroughly each day. January is an
excellent time to start any remodeling projects that may
be necessary. While the trees are dormant you have a
better view of the branch structure. Do any need to be
moved or removed? Do any coarse branches need to be
cut back to a smaller side branch for refinement? Any
long straight branches need wiring to give them motion?
Does the tree really need a drastic redesign? Also trim
the twigs back while you have them there.
Styling can be done at this time but no repotting unless
you are going to keep the tree from freezing after that.
Repotting initiates new root development which is
usually not very hardy.
Get a calendar of bonsai events in your club, city, and
state. There are many opportunities such as LSBF
sponsored events, the Shohin Society of Texas which
meets 5 times annually in Austin, possibly a suiseki
group being formed, etc. so that you can plan which ones
will give you the most help in your interests and at you
level of development. The lecture events and books give
you knowledge but without the practice under the
guidance of a good teacher at the various workshops it
will remain just that - knowledge without producing any
results. The workshops develop your ability to foresee
what will happen when you remove and relocate
branches and give you confidence to advance your skills.
[If you have any questions about what has been discussed
here or a specific issue you’re having, contact John or
any other experienced member at one of our meetings.]

BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 6
JANUARY 2013

December in Review
Bonsai Journaling – Dave Schleser and
Garrett Larson

It is always such a pleasure to watch and listen to Dave

Schleser and Garrett Larson enthusiastically speak about
bonsai, and our December program was no exception.
Their topic dealt with the need for bonsai journaling or
record management of any bonsai collection. For many
of us this is one additional step we often overlook in the July 1994
proper care of our collection, but as they pointed out, it is
a very valuable step in many ways.

Dave has used a simple but effective method for many

years that allows him to track the application date and
rate of fertilizers and pesticides on two simple lists.
Additionally he keeps a record of each tree, reflecting
when it was acquired, repotted, fertilized, etc. along with
a photograph at significant milestones in each trees’
development. The photograph is an important tool to
help track a tree’s development and serves to remind and
encourage us of how far it has come. Digital
photography makes it so easy and without it one can
easily forget the progress that has been made. Patience November 1995
is a virtue when developing good bonsai and
photographic journaling really helps inspire us to stick
with it. Dave and Garrett shared some great tips on the
best ways to photograph bonsai.

A good example is the sequence of photographs Dave

took of a Japanese maple that was given to him by a
former club member almost 20 years ago. When he first
acquired it you can see that two trees were planted trunk
to trunk to create a pleasing silhouette. Over time the
trunks have fused together making it an even more
beautiful bonsai. Seeing its evolution over the years is a
great reminder of how far it has progressed under Dave’s
care.
November 2001
Dave and Garrett use a combination of 3 x 5 cards and a
simple tabular list, but you can use anything that makes it
easy – electronically in a spreadsheet or table, hardcopy
in a notebook, or any combination that works for you.

This is a great time of year to get organized and make

bonsai record management a part of your routine. Your
collection and confidence will definitely improve as a
result. Thanks again Dave and Garrett for taking the
time to prepare and share your great advice! 

March 2008
Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
 BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 7
JANUARY 2013

LSBF 2013 Convention Update

By Joey McCoy, Convention Chair

I hope everyone had a terrific holiday season and got to leaves and will make nice smaller bonsai. Alisan
enjoy friends and loved ones. One of the most enjoyable Clarke, trained in Japan, will teach Ikebana, an art form
events for me each year is to see that works with balance, proportion
our extended bonsai family across and form. Sheila Ward gives
the state and region at our annual Kusamono a delicate touch, and will
conventions. I can't tell you how lead participants in how to put
much I truly enjoy them! together one of these beautiful
plantings, often a companion to
For our upcoming convention Bonsai, using her own handmade
we've put together an outstanding pots. Donna Dobberfuhl, an
visiting artist line up (Walter Pall, international sculptor and artist will
Colin Lewis, Erik Wigert in teach her group how to look at our
multiple exciting workshops!), but bonsai, to find the lines and form,
we've added additional workshops and how to style them with paper
and funshops with Texas talent and pencil before cutting – a skill
that shouldn't be overlooked. I'd used by all the best bonsai artists!
like to introduce these hard
working folks here. Bill Boytim a tool and safety expert
will have his students learning the
Chuck Ware will lead a best ways to clean and sharpen their
workshop styling Parrots Beak, a tools in a hands-on class. We also
beautiful tropical with a unique have Peter Aradi, a national suiseki
flower. Terry Ward's workshop scholar, who will give a critique and
will be with the Hillier Elm, a discussion on the Suiseki in the
small, tight-leafed cultivar that is excellent for bonsai. exhibit. Registration begins Jan 1st, and don't forget that
Yvonne Padilla will be working with Natal Plum the cutoff for the early registration lowered rate ends
“Boxwood Beauty”, a variety that has tight round-shaped March 15th. Our website is now up and running:
www.lsbfconvention2013.com 

Why Should I Go to the Convention?

by Sylvia Smith

My first ever exposure to bonsai was the 1995 Dallas Bonsai Convention. I can't begin to tell you how much fun we had
even though all we did was check out the exhibit and vendor area and try our luck at the day’s raffle. Howard and I joined
the club soon after and then attended every bonsai convention until my first daughter became a toddler. After that it was
hit or miss depending on our family’s needs, but we squeezed in as many as we could with no regret!

During those earlier years I can remember club members carpooling to conventions or caravaning to their final
destination. Not only were we all gathering for a common love, bit we were also enriching our knowledge of bonsai and
creating many new friends along the way.

In order to rekindle those days of old and encourage new and older members alike to participate in more conventions, the
Board of Directors has voted to sponsor one lucky member to the convention by reimbursing their registration fee. To be
eligible the member must be pre-registered with a paid full registration. This is the registration only for one person and
will not include any workshops or other fees. Joint members are eligible individually. All who are confirmed as registered
by March 31, 2013 will be eligible. We will put the names in a hat and the lucky winner will be drawn at the April 6th
meeting.

Hope to see you there!

Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com
BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 8
JANUARY 2013

Howard and Sylvia Smith

www.BonsaiSmiths.net • Cultivators of fine trees
bonsaismiths@earthlink.net • Collection maintenance
Tel# (972) 754-9883 • Private instruction
Fax# (972) 661-0694 • Classes, lectures & demos

www.timeless-trees.com www.bonsaismiths.net

www.benttreebonsai.blogspot.com www.hfimports.com

Place Your Ad Here!

Business card size is $5.00 per month
Half page size is $20.00 per month
Full page size is $35.00 per month

For more details contact:

Chuck Talley
chuck_talley@tandybrands.com

Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com

 BSD NEWSLETTER PAGE 9
JANUARY 2013

Rio Vista Dig – Sunday, January 27th at 9:00 a.m.

Ranch/Home of Lore Levin
Address for GPS: 9902 CR 1222, Rio Vista, TX 76093

Call Lore if you get lost: 817-517-3850 or Diane Lowe at 972-679-8861 for more
information. Bring a lunch as no restaurants are nearby.

Directions from Dallas (approximately 80 – 90 minutes):

• Head south out of Dallas on I-35E South
• When the highway splits, stay in the right two lanes and take RIGHT exit Hwy 67 South to Cleburne
• You will go through Cedar Hill, Midlothian, Venus, Lillian, Alvarado (where you will go under I-35W) and
then Keene.
• After Keene, take the RIGHT exit for Business 67 into Cleburne.
• When you go over the rail road bridge, you will be coming into downtown Cleburne.
• When you get to the third light from the bridge you will see the big Court House.
• Take your next LEFT on South Main Street / Hwy174

Directions from Cleburne:

• It is 8 miles to Rio Vista. Go through Rio Vista to FM 1106, it is the first RIGHT road after the Rio
Vista Post Office. Do not take any turns off this road until my drive way (road becomes 1222).
• Go 3.8 miles. You will see a road sign saying PAVEMENT ENDS and a tight LEFT TURN sign
• Pass the sign but only go 50 feet, small white sign directly in front of you shows 9902 and there are trash
containers on the right. Turn RIGHT onto Lore’s private road
• Go down the road, past the log cabin, up the hill, through the gate, to the end of the road.
• Park in front of the house. You will hear the dogs, but they will not be loose.
NORTH
RIO VISTA
POST
OFFICE

SOUTH
WEST

Bonsai Society of Dallas, P.O. Box 836922, Richardson, TX 75083-6922 • www.bonsaisocietyofdallas.com

SOUTH