Here's my big Gyoten nearly in full bloom.  I took this photo before leaving for Brussel's Bonsai Rendezvous 2010 hoping that it would be in full bloom when I returned.  Returned home to find all the rain and heat and sun took it's toll on the blooms.  Now to remove the flowers, trim, thin, and wire.

I thought I would share some pictures of some early blooms.  These are from a Satsuki Azalea 'Komei' I've been growing out for a little while.  It's a little early for Satsuki blooms, but the weather has been pretty strange this Spring.

I really like this variety for the interesting flowers.  I think taking some cuttings a little later this year is in order.  

There will not be a Matsu Bonsai Study Group meeting in May this year.  There will be a lot of work to do in June.  Look forward to Japanese Black Pine decandling, Satuski Azalea work, and lots of wiring.

The next meeting of the Matsu Bonsai Study Group is a special Sunday meeting, April 18th at 10am.  If you're interested in attending, please contact me.

For this meeting we will focus on preparing for the upcoming Greater Louisville Bonsai Society show at Yew Dell Gardens, April 24-25.  We'll discuss how to prepare the tree, hide the wire, and arrange the branches.  We'll work to apply moss, dress the soil, and clean the pot.  And finally we'll address choosing and combining accent plants, companion trees, and the aspects of formal display.

If we run out of things to work on we may cover air layering or Trident and Japanese Maples.  And if time permits we may throw in a few extra things to work on.

Please RSVP and do your best to be on time. 

Unfortunately I won't be able to attend this year's show, as I'll be heading back to John Kirby's (of Von's Gardens) for a quick visit and tree buying trip.

Bonsai artist Bjorn Bjorholm, owner of Bjorvala Bonsai Studio in Knoxville, will be in Cincinnati this week.  Thursday evening, March 18th, he will be doing a demonstration.  Then on Saturday, March 20th he will be conducting a workshop.  Form more information please contact the Bonsai Society of Greater Cincinnati.

Bjorn will be in Louisville April 9 & 10 for a demonstration and bring your own tree workshop.  Attending the demonstration in Cincinnati will be a great way to see him in action before his Louisville trip.  If any Louisville area people would like to join me, I'll be driving up Thursday evening for the demonstration and returning the same night.  I have 3 seats available in my car, so please let me know soon if you're interested.

This Saturday, March 6th at 10am will be the second meeting of 2010 for the Matsu Bonsai Study Group.  If you're interested in attending, please contact me.

For this meeting we will focus on the proper technique for repotting bonsai.  We'll work with established bonsai as well as young trees in training.  Bring plenty of trees to work on, soil, and tools.  If you run out of things to work on or simply wish to work on some of mine, please let me know.

Here's a list of the tools we'll be using for this workshop:

- root sickle
- bent nose tweezers
- 3-pronged root rake
- root cutters
- root scissors
- wire cutters
- wire pliers
- small broom
- chopsticks

I'll have some to borrow if you're missing or in need of a specific tool.

Please RSVP and do your best to be on time.

Last Saturday the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society hosted Chris Summers of Summers Nursery & Landscape (website coming soon) for a grafting lecture and demonstration. Chris has quite a bit of experience in the nursery industry and was a very knowledgeable speaker. I had the opportunity to meet up with Chris the follow day and work with him one-on-one for grafting of some Japanese 5-needle pine (Pinus parviflora) and Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii). He was kind enough to show me his setup and I was quite impressed. He also has some of the best grafted Japanese Maples that I've seen in the nursery industry.

The first meeting of the Matsu Bonsai Study Group 2010 will be this Saturday, February 27th at 10am.  For this meeting we will be focusing on Grafting for Bonsai.  This will be a good follow up for anyone that attended Chris' lecture.

Tools needed for the workshop will be a grafting knife, sharp scissors, tape, plastic bags, etc.  If needed there will be extra tools on hand that can be borrowed.  

Be sure to bring plenty of trees to work on.  If you don't have enough to keep you busy or just want to practice there will be material on hand.  

We'll be practicing inarch and approach grafts.  Discussions will be had regarding adding of branches, replacing foliage, adding to or replacing root systems, seasonal timing, and after care.

Please RSVP and do your best to be on time.