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LOOKING BACK ON OUR PICNICWe held our annual picnic on August 1st and what a grand day it was. I was contemplating not going because of the Delta Covid thing but what a mistake that would have been.  Because I said I was going to set up an information table I figured I should go. So off I went. The weather was perfect, in the 70's, light breeze and almost no humidity, just perfect. Cantigny couldn't have treated us better, they were the perfect host and the only thing…

THINGS TO DO IN SEPTEMBER Outdoor: Once hot temperatures (above 85-90 degrees) have passed, plants should return to their normal growth activity; however, our season for pruning deciduous trees, broad leaf evergreens and junipers is at its close. Your trees will need to keep their branches since food reserves are stored in the branch and trunk tissues. Currently, we need to pay close attention to fertilization for the trees to strengthen themselves and replenish reserves for their dormant period. Start using a low-nitrogen fertilizer in mid-September to help reduce…

Best in Show Professional - Andrew SmithMid-America Bonsai ExhibitionAugust 20/21/22, 2021When I visited the Midwest Bonsai Society’s Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition on August 21st I had a powerful sense of déjà vu.  It was in the spring of 2012 when my wife and I happened to visit the Chicago Botanic Garden on the weekend of their May bonsai show.  While touring the trees on display in the Regenstein room that day, I asked a couple questions of a person in an apron.  He told me that the CBG offers classes…

LARCHThe Larch (Larix) is a genus of tall, upright, coniferous trees that are deciduous in contrast to most other conifers. The Larch, also known as Tamarack, is a major tree of the Northern hemisphere.  Its natural range extends to northern Canada and even up to the Arctic Circle, where temperatures can dip to -65.  Although larch and tamarack are different species, they are in the same genus and can be used interchangeably.It grows naturally in boggy locations, and therefore as a bonsai, it should not be allowed to dry…

Timely Tips Susan Daufeldt This is a great time in the bonsai garden. Well, it is and it isn’t. The trees should be really spiffy after all the early summer work. But this is also a time when environmental conditions can create a lot of stress. Watch your trees carefully for the signs. Proper/adequate watering and nutrition will help trees to resist disease. If you see signs of fungal disease and/or pests, address the problem as soon as possible. In my garden, too much sun is an issue and…

Greetings everyone, It’s August already as we leave this partially wet July behind. Remember to check your trees as the temps climb higher and higher in the month. Prairie State Bonsai society has exciting news to share. In-person meetings are once again not only a possibility but will begin again in October. How fun it will be to be able to once again meet in person. Please remember to start thinking about what to bring for our raffle table and get a ticket. Stay tuned for more information. As…

Bonsai and penjing masters like Saburo Kato and John Naka are recognized as icons who really advanced and expanded the ancient art of bonsai. Now, the next generation of artists is building on those legacies, putting down roots for many more decades of bonsai artistry. In The Future of Bonsai blog series, the National Bonsai Foundation is highlighting up-and-coming bonsai and penjing pioneers who are next in line to spread the spirit of bonsai. Chicago native and bonsai professional Jennifer Price is one such artist. Get to know her…

by Alan Magruder  Many of the show tables that we can buy are generic, not built for any particular tree and pot. Frequentlythese show tables are well built and attractive. They, however, do not necessarily fit the tree and pot.Many of them are too short or the pot is crowding the top of the stand or is lost in it. Click here to view entire article - close window after reading to return

by Alan Magruder If you have found a wonderful show table that is absolutely beautiful, be careful. It could easily becomethe center of your display and overshadow your bonsai. This is not an uncommon mistake. Anything thattakes attention away from the Bonsai tree is not good in a Bonsai show. The purpose of a show table is tomake the tree look good. Click her to view the article in its entirety - close window to return

Japanese Flowering Apricot  ( Prunus Mume ) The Japanese Flowering Apricot ( Prunus Mume ) dates back centuries into the Ming Dynasty. It is said to have originated around the Yangtze River in China and Korea, but for generations has been extensively cultivated in Japan. This distinct species is related to both the plum and the apricot. There are over 300 recorded Cultivars of Prunus Mume. It is known as one of the  "Three Friends of  Winter," along with the Pine and Bamboo. Because of its late winter blossoming,…