Monthly Archives: October 2024

It has been a month since we completed the Bonsai Show at Morton Arboretum during the Destination Asia Festival.  Most of the bills have been finalized, awards prepared and presented, and so it seems a good time to reflect on the show, what went right and what can be improved for 2025. The ShowWe had 22 members bring a total of 58 trees to the show.  Thirty-six trees were included in the judging and twenty-two were categorized as Trees in Training.  I always enjoy talking to the people viewing the…

Portulacaria afra The Portulacaria afra, commonly known as the Dwarf Jade or Elephant Bush, is a succulent species that thrives as a bonsai. Its resilience, low maintenance requirements, and appealing appearance make it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced enthusiasts alike. Though similar in appearance, it is not related to the Jade Plant.  Unlike Jade plants which are toxic the Dwarf Jade is completely safe. It is native to South Africa. The two most common varieties for bonsai are the green leaf type and the variegated type. The…

Outdoor: The trees will need to be moved to a wintering area this month. If you need any supplies such as mulch, heater, or shelving, you should acquire them very soon. Have everything ready so you can put the trees away quickly if needed. Do not bring trees indoors on chilly nights. Be sure to water as needed both before winterizing your trees and while they are in winter storage. Do not fertilize. Remove leaves from deciduous trees and fruit or seeds before putting the trees into the wintering…

Dear Members,Our general meeting on October 2, 2024, featuring the Iron Bonsai competition between three experienced artists, Phil Malhoit, Larry Magee, and Elle Nieto-Brodnick, was a tremendous success. Each artist styled a raw Shimpaku Juniper tree in under two hours, and the results were impressive. Members voted, with one tree receiving 14 votes as the top choice, while the other two tied for second place with 11 votes each. All three beautifully styled trees, along with other items, were raffled off, and we saw record participation in the raffle!Due…