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.

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.

Congratulations to my friend, Peter Tea, winner of this year's Joshua Roth New Talent Competition.  This event is normally held at the annual American Bonsai Society (ABS) Learning Seminar.  But, unfortunately this year's ABS event was cancelled.  Luckily the Golden State Bonsai Federation (GSBF) stepped in to host the event at the GSBF Convention.  I was unable to attend this year, but the reports I'm getting are that the event was a complete success.

To see the results of Peter's New Talent Competition tree, click here.

Peter is a great bonsai artist and fellow graduate of Boon's Bonsai Intensive program.  He was also one of the workshop instructors at the GSBF convention working on Hokkaido Elms. I'm trying to convince Peter that he needs to move to Louisville, so if you run into him be sure to mention it.  :)

October has arrived, and with it cooler weather.  The shade cloth has been taken down and the trees are doing their final bit of growing for the year.  With the cold and wet rainy growing season we had this year it's very important that Soji, Fall cleanup work is done before putting the trees away for Winter.  Now is the time to plan the many chores of Fall.  This includes cleaning and thinning pines and junipers, refreshing the top layer of soil, trimming back refined maples, and pulling weeds, etc. 

This weekend is the Carolina Bonsai Expo at the North Carolina Arboretum.  Unfortunately other duties prevent me from attending this year, but I'm looking forward to hearing good reports.

If you're not planning on attending the Carolina Bonsai Expo this weekend, how about a meeting of the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society?  This will be a "Tree Maintenance" workshop.  I've agreed to give a brief talk on preparing Japanese Black Pine for Winter.  Some of the topics I plan to cover are the Fall cleanup work and storage requirements, with a follow up Bonsai Study Group meeting October 24th.

This past weekend was the Shohin II Bonsai Symposium in Rochester, NY.  This was another event hosted by Bill Valavanis and International Bonsai.  Other obligations prevented me from attending, but I'm looking forward to seeing reports online.

Speaking of Shohin Bonsai, the American Shohin Bonsai Association is currently seeking new members.  This relatively new organization has big plans for the future.  A new website has recently come online and more features are expected soon.  If you enjoy shohin bonsai then this is the organization for you.

What exactly is shohin bonsai?  Shohin is a size classification of trees between 2" and 8" in height.  Sometimes this requirement is extended for trees up to 10", but this is up the discretion of the judges.

Here's a quick list of size classifications.  This by no means is definitive, but could be used as a guideline for most judged exhibits.

• Shohin 2" - 8"
• Kifu 8" - 12"
• Chuhin 12" - 18"
• Ogata 18" - 48"