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