March madness. Busy Time for bonsai people. Keeping up with repotting trees, more budding out each day. Working on potential show trees to be ready for our annual display at the San Francisco Garden Show. This all adds up to a lot of time when dropped into our already busy city lives. But you must take the time to make sure the tree you repot is in a pot that shows it to it’s best advantage and enhances the composition you have given the tree. Take the time to make sure the tree is placed at a depth and angle which likewise shows the disposition of the tree faithfully. And when it is repotted and the soil you labored to sift to the proper size for you tree is watered in well and the run off is clear and free of dust stand back and admire your dedication and this beautiful thing you have guided and cared for. Each action we take brings our trees closer to our visions for them. This is what is on display at our show. Vision and results of hard work. Choose the tree you want to show based on your perception of its ability to charm. If it charms you it will charm our audience.
Preparing a bonsai for exhibit is an essential part of this process of becoming a bonsai artist. You must show your work. It keeps you improving the tree. Working on the details
As long as the tree is growing it will require your guidance.
A good way to learn more about bonsai is to be around them and the people who grow them. Volunteering to work a shift at the Garden Show puts you in the company of many examples to learn from and in an environment where you can talk about it non-stop. If you are a new member I highly recommend you take part in one of the shifts at this year’s exhibit. Call Joe Nersveen and see where you can fit in the schedule. It will be 3 hours of bonsai intensive exposure.
On the 17th the weekend before the show we will be looking to fill two docents spaces at the Collection North, also a bonsi intensive experience with many rewards for the curious student. You can sign up directly on the BSSF website or the GSBF site Collection North docent page or contact me.
I had the pleasure in February to set up a small display at The SF Botanical Garden’s Lunar New Year Flower Market representing BSSF. John Pennington stayed through the show and Lawrence LeClaire stood in as well to talk with the public about out club and bonsai in San Francisco. Even at an event where bonsai is not the main focus we got a very warm and appreciative reception.

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