April 2015 Long Island Bonsai Society Volume 1, Issue 4 Please note the program change: We regret to inform the membership that due to a family medical emergency Bjorn Bjorholm will not be able to join us on 5/11/15. Vin Russo has kindly agreed to be our guest speaker for that night and demonstrate the coniferous tree which was scheduled. Guide for Pines and Conifers source of wood, and who definitions you The conifers, are cone- other wood based accept. Conifers are an bearing seed plants with products. Conifer woods ancient species with vascular tissue, woody are off varying abilities fossil remains dating trees with just a few and are used in a back over 300 million being shrubs. Typical multitude of projects years. examples of conifers from Ship building to Almost any conifer include cedars, cypresses, Furniture making with firs, junipers, larches, even it bark chips being pines, hemlocks, highly sought after to redwoods, spruces, and make rich composts and yews. mulches. In the UK, there are only Taxonomically, conifers to choose from. Japanese black pine, Shimpaku cedar, spruce, Japanese species, but despite that also known as division white pine and larch are They form a significant confers, depending on Refreshment Committee 4 Special Interest 4 subspecies and varieties division; Pinophyta, 600-700 species of 4 families all have many Naturalized Conifers natural and planted. Reminders taxus, juniper and pine juniper, cypress, white erae. There are between 1,2,3 a bonsai. The cedar, all belong to the plant our forest areas both Conifers Trees species can be grown as a few Native, and they form a major part of Coniferophyta or Conif Inside this issue: among the most beautiful when trained as bonsai. Some species are more Of Special Interest: Trip to Brooklyn Botanical Gardens on May 16th ! Vin Russo is our speaker for May 11, 2015 Liz brings the Refreshments. (hint: Chocolate Chip is what powers the comics in this newsletter) July 11th is our picnic auction Coniferous Trees (Continued) White Cedar challenging than others. Pines are the most difficult because the growth pattern of their needles is much different than that of other conifers. They make beautiful bonsai but their structure must be carefully studied before training or pruning begins. Japanese Black Pine In the wild, this tree can grow to 40 feet or more. As a bonsai, its graceful, irregular shape is pyramidal. This is the most difficult of trees to train and is This tree is also excellent for planting in groups. It is especially popular with those who practice deadwood techniques. The wood and foliage of white cedar are highly aromatic. Spruce is easy to work with. Despite its flexible branches and soft look, Shimpaku can withstand extremes alone or in groups. Page 2 centers to ensure the correct ratio. Spring is the season for repotting coniferous bonsai. Watch for new the roots for signs of coiling or effort. Its small needles are prized compression. If this is the case, by experienced enthusiasts. trim the roots lightly to free them Japanese White Pine white pine a dramatic bonsai subject. Its needles are a paler green that Japanese black pine with a grayish, cloudy cast. Its foliage is extremely dense. Larch is the only deciduous tree in tree is excellent when planted be bought premixed at garden bonsai but well worth the extra Cypress and trained over time. This bonsai adequate nutrients. Bonsai soil can the tree from its old pot, examine Larch weathered look and can be curved drain well while providing spruce is difficult to train as of heat and cold. Cypress trunks have a beautiful, 30 percent grit, allowing it to buds to appear. After removing A striking, pyramidal shape makes The tender foliage of this conifer be 70 percent organic material and Like most conifers with needles, very slow to grow. Shimpaku Juniper Soil for coniferous bonsai should this list. Bright autumnal color followed by a dormant, defoliated and stimulate new growth. After root pruning, fill a slightly larger pot with soil and transfer the tree. Repot young conifers every year to keep the soil fresh and full of nutrients. For older trees, repotting every other year should suffice. As the tree grows, use slightly larger pots to accommodate the growing root system. Growing Conditions period make this type of bonsai endlessly interesting to study. Like most evergreens, conifers are winter-hardy and require periods Potting & Repotting of cold weather. Bonsai conifers Long Island Bonsai Society Coniferous Trees (Continued) are no exception, so do not try to grow them study is extremely important. indoors. Conifers prefer full sun to partial shade, with plenty of water and humidity Pruning & Training during the spring, summer and fall. At the end Once the desired shape is visualized, it is time to of growing season, it is common to see a few prune the bonsai. Aggressive branch pruning should yellowed or dead needles. Simply brush them be done in late autumn and early winter when the tree away as they occur, and remove dead needles is dormant. Leave a small stub when cutting branches from the surface soil in the pot before winter. close to the trunk so that new growth can invigorate Coniferous bonsai may be kept slightly drier the inner areas of the tree. Pinch off buds in spring during the dormant season. In spring, when with fingertips to stimulate thicker growth at the bright green buds appear at the branch tips, a branch ends. A month later, clip off candles with light application of NPK fertilizer will help get sharp pruning scissors to control vertical growth. the growing season underway. The buds will Wiring coniferous bonsai is a technique that directs gradually become longer and taller, and are the tree’s vigor horizontally or downward, producing called “candles.” a dramatic effect. Anchor one end of the wire in the Design & Shape pot and wrap the other end around the branch or trunk with enough tension to move the branch slightly. Over The best bonsai trees are those grown in a time, increase the tension to achieve the desired angle natural, flowing shape. Study the shape of a of growth. Done gradually, wiring does not inhibit mature example of the species, noting its growth, merely directs it. structure, number of branches and the vigor of its foliage. Most conifers have a pyramidal, conical form. Never shear a bonsai to achieve shape. Doing so will result in browning of foliage tips, damage to needle groups and overall poor growth. It can even kill a Of the infinite number of bonsai styles, young bonsai. Pruning and training are the most conifers lend themselves best to the formal and challenging parts of bonsai. It is easy to make the informal upright styles. They may also be mistake of doing too much rather than too little. The pruned in a dramatic slant or trained to cascade tendency to pinch buds at the ends of branches can over the sides of the pot like a waterfall. No result in an undesirable “poodle” look. Conversely, matter which style is chosen, remember that removing too many branches or too much foliage can what is taken away will not regrow for months, damage the tree’s vitality. A conservative approach is if ever. This initial period of planning and often the most successful. Page 3 Long Island Bonsai Society A word from our Sponsor The Long Island Bonsai Society www.suburbanbonsai.com [email protected] Open Mon-Sat 8:30-4:30 Sun & Holidays 10:30-2:30 [email protected] Visit us at: www.longislandbonsi.org The Long Island Bonsai Society is open to all. We hold our meetings at the Planting Field Arboretum in Oyster Bay Long Island New York every second Monday of the month at 7:30PM Discover the beauty joy and peace only a Bonsai can bring into your life. For more information please call Fran at 516 593-1855. A word from the Refreshment Committee For May: Liz Travera is up ! Thanks Liz! My favorite is chocolate chip cookies you know. I am just saying... We have indoor greenhouse facilities for winter storage for both tropical and hardy plants. We also carry hard to find specimen plants for your garden. All Club Members are entitled to a 10% Discount of All Bonsai Related Purchases. We are always interested in purchasing Interesting and finished bonsai plants. We are located on several acres and carry a complete line of Bonsai Containers, Tools – Wire, Soil Mixes, etc. including finished and pre-finished tropical and hardy bonsai plants. A word from our treasurer—Joe Lesnik Please take a moment to bring your dues up to date! It’s what makes all these great speakers Possible! Please keep your membership current and keep getting these great newsletters! Annual Dues start at $40 for a single member, $45 for a couple and $50 or above for a Patron Member. Please make payment at any meeting to our Treasurer, Joe Lesnick, or send a check, made out to Long Island Bonsai Society, to Joe at 129 S Plaisted Avenue, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Should you have any questions, feel free to call Joe at (631) 339 2626. Thank you Volume 1, Issue 4 Page 4
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