Monthly Archives: March 2025

President's Letter – March 2025 Prairie State Bonsai Society Dear Members, One of the major highlights of 2025 was the Silhouette Show, held on February 22-23 at the Morton Arboretum. The event was well attended, aided in part by favorable weather. The Arboretum also hosted a Train Show that weekend, bringing in model train enthusiasts—many of whom stopped by to admire our bonsai display. Our Special Events Chair, Craig Cronquist, may share more details about the show. Given its success, we anticipate hosting future Silhouette Shows at the Morton…

THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH Outdoor: The situation here is the same as it was last month. Leave trees in winter for protection and water as needed. Do not fertilize. Deciduous trees and pines may be wired. If your trees can be moved, you may bring them indoors for up to eight hours for work. Be aware of possible flooding in in-ground cold frames. Indoor: Sunlight has been scarce lately, so be sure to give indoor trees as much light as possible. Trees at windowsills could use some supplemental…

Cheap Bonsai Turntable Converting a broken office chair into a bonsai turntable is an easy, cheap project for the winter months. All you will need is an old office chair, a piece of old plywood, and some screws. The sample I am making here cost me nothing. If you want a slightly nicer turntable, you can go to a home store like Menards or Lowe's and buy a precut circle top for your chair that you could stain or make look sharp. I prefer to use old plywood, then…