Winter solstice has passed and the days are now slowly getting longer. Soon buds will begin swelling as San Francisco’s early spring makes a short season of winter. Time to get ready for repotting. Maples are usually first to start moving. Watch your trees for signs of swelling as the signal to repot. Make sure you have soil ready and select pots that better show off your trees.

The current issue of Bonsai Today, #106, has a very good article by Marco Invernizzi about repotting and styling a mature yew tree with some helpful observations about root conditions and how to proceed depending on the tree’s root’s health.

Also in the same issue the magazine announced the winners of their first bonsai photo contest. Long-time BSSF member Mike Page won first place for penjing, saikei planting with a stunning Kingsville boxwood planting on stone. Congratulations Mike!

As we go into 2007 I would just like to acknowledge and thank several members who have made outstanding contributions in the past year to the benefit of all of us in BSSF. Aaron Newton’s incredible web site has brought to us attention from bonsai people far and wide, as well as several new members, and stands as a singular achievement of excellence that is the envy of other bonsai organizations. Eric Schrader has been providing interesting and thought-provoking content to the site and newsletter tirelessly. At our holiday party we recognized the more than nine year service of our treasurer Daryl Quijano. Lawrence LeClair jumped in to replace Ben Petrasanta as newsletter editor with a tour de force design and along with Linda Ferzocco has implemented an email version of the newsletter. Phillis Rizzi is retiring as hospitality coordinator after years of yummy munchies supplied to our meetings. Rebecca Williams designed a new up-to-date and elegant logo for our club. Diana Lum and Joe Nersveen are coordinating with the staff at the San Francisco Garden Show. Paul Hrisko has inventoried and organized our club library collection for member use. And John Boyce, Tim Kong, Gary Tom, Eric Schrader and Ron Weaver provided free programs for the membership. And especially to Emma and Tim Kong for their dedication and nurturing and nourishing of all our members. I would like to thank you all on behalf of myself and all members of BSSF who have benefited from our association. These folks stand as an inspiration to all club members to become more involved in planning and supporting the future activities of BSSF.

No Tags