Good turn out this month with 16 attending, apologies from Alan Craddock as he was on holiday.
One of the intentions this month was to see any potential submissions for the Exmouth Bonsai by the Sea show but sadly only a few members brought trees to offer. We have one more meet before the show so if anyone wish to submit trees please bring them along for viewing, we are not neccesarily asking for specimen quality, but just trained enough to represent our society and our style. We need to see the trees to help plan the space and materials needed to exhibit them properly and plan its transport to Exmouth. Roy is keen to show new trees this year to stop our stand being repetitive. So if any of your trees are unusual species or in flower, or have special features, have suitable pots and tidy trimming. Even if they are wired as long as it is tidy they can all be brought along, for consideration for exhibit. Don’t forget this is a chance to see the other south West club exhibits and view all manner of ideas for bonsai and also see some specimen trees from the area. Roy has offered a Scots pine and a neat small juniper. Alan has submitted an Elm raft with hollow trunk features and a Sumo style trunk Trident maple. I believe Jon has offered a couple of good Larches but we still need more to make a viable display so the society needs your help. I have seen some presentable trees turn up so please give it a go and exhibit a tree.
We had a few nice trees turn up for advice this month:
Darren had a slanting style windswept Scots pine with candles extending well.
Mick had a hawthorn, small birch which he thought was a Downey variety but after examination found it was likely common birch. also a small Euonymus.
Dave had a nice blackthorn that was forming nicely.
Berice came with a Lacey leaf maple
It was nice to welcome Onsin who came along with the Blue Cedar he was asking advice about and we were able to settle his nerves and confirm that it was not sick but only having a summer needle shed after its change of environment, he also came with a large Korean hornbeam that had been neglected before he acquired it and Roy and I were able to show him how to start to get it under control again.
Nigel came with a cascade Cotoneaster in flower a small leaf maple which he believed to be the variety “Phoenix” suffering from an attack of black fly.
Rob had a Field maple and a quince
Mat had a spike juniper that is now beginning to look very respectful and in good health with full of potential. Also a larch.
Be aware we can still have a few cold nights and deep drops in temperature so you may have to protect newly leafed Maples and others with fleece or cold green house.
See you all next meeting
Kev