Bonsai Society of Victoria

January Native Plant Demonstration and Discussion

2012-02-13T21:20:00.000-08:00

In the January demonstration, a small team of experienced members transformed a group of three coastal tea trees root over rock style to a group of five. The height of two of the trees and the layout angle were also adjusted during repotting. Further fine tuning is proposed and the group will be on display at a future meeting.

Work in Progress on Coastal Tea Tree Group

Several other native trees were on display and featured in an interesting discussion about growing native plants as bonsai.

Prickly Paperbark

Saturday Styling Discussion Group

2012-02-11T17:42:00.000-08:00

Olive

Manchurian Pear

BSV's Saturday meetings provide an opportunity for members to review and discuss various styling issues. Attached are photos of two smaller trees that are well progressed in their styling development.

Bonsai Beginners

2012-01-23T19:21:00.000-08:00

The Bonsai Society of Victoria has recently launched an initiative to help its new members develop basic skills in bonsai. Beginner sessions are conducted at the Monday Workshop meetings listed on the right hand side of this blog. Approximately five sessions are held each year and will cover a range of topics such as tools, wiring, potting, styling, suitable tree types, etc. If you are interested in these sessions, please come along to the Monday Workshop sessions and join in. New members are welcome and should approach the Society for further information - see email address above or come to the monthly meeting nights and ask to see the Membership Secretary.

Master Hirotoshi Saitoh to visit Melbourne early July 2012

2012-01-23T18:10:00.000-08:00

Japanese bonsai Master Hirotoshi Saitoh will be visiting Melbourne again in early July 2012 to conduct Workshops and demonstrations. Programme details will be released in the coming months. His expertise in bonsai is very well regarded and all members are encouraged to participate in his workshops and start thinking about the trees you will take to the workshop. There are also opportunities to observe the workshops and watch a demonstration. Start your planning now to ensure you are able to take full advantage of this great opportunity.

Display Trees at the AGM

2011-12-03T19:03:00.000-08:00

2011 Annual General Meeting

2011-12-03T18:51:00.000-08:00

The final meeting for 2011 was the Bonsai Society of Victoria’s Annual General Meeting. The formal side of the evening saw the existing committee re-elected for 2012. There were no new nominations so the committee stays the same. The remainder of the evening was spent enjoying a fantastic supper supplied by the members.

Thanks to everyone for a great night.

AGM Reminder

2011-11-22T23:14:00.000-08:00

Members are reminded that the Annual General Meeting for 2011 will be held on Monday 28th November, 2011 at the Kew Masonic Centre. Address details above. Join in the end of year celebrations at the conclusion of the meeting.

We're Back!

2011-07-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

After a short amount of down time, the Bonsai Society of Victoria website is back online. We have had some domain issues which to cut a long story short has resulted in us changing our address.

As you are probably aware, we are now located at www.bonsaisocietyvictoria.com so please update your links and bookmarks as the old address is now no longer under our control.

A lot has been happening during the down time and bonsai in Victoria has never been busier. It looks like it will be a great next few years with conventions, visits from touring masters and plenty of other bonsai related events to keep us all busy.

Below are a few photos from some of the meetings and workshops that have run during the down time.

Enjoy.

Quentin discusses the merits of adding some more trees to a group at a Saturday meeting.

A display tree starting to bloom

Workshop nights are ever popular and a range of interesting material is worked on.

Pat Kennedy made a recent visit and brought with him some very interesting pots.

Below are a series of photos from a recent workshop the club conducted. All in all it was a great success and i think that the results speak for themselves. Pics below.

A result from the workshop

A pine group before starting the workshop

...and after.

A tree crying out to become a bunjin styled tree

...and after some work its shape becomes clear.

A cedar before work

... and after styling.

As you can see from the above pics the club has been busy doing what we love, BONSAI! Stay tuned for future update of what we are up to, events we are holding and general bonsai information from the club.

Monthly meeting 28.03.11

2011-04-06T16:07:00.000-07:00

This meeting we were treated to a triple demonstration that turned into a quadruple demo!

A variety of material was worked on, styled and talked about. We saw Gerrard unwire a juniper that had undergone a heavy re-style and he then began to prepare it for show.
Sally and quentin worked on a juniper and after some heavy bending ended up with a very dramatic result.
Tony enlightened the crowed on his ideas about styling broom style trees in a more natural fashion and used some of his own trees as examples.
Pat and Joe worked on a cascade juniper that became a much more compact semi cascade tree.

All in all it was an excellent night and i am sure that the crowd that was in attendance got as much out of it as i did. The year is really starting strongly and makes me look forward to the coming meetings. I hope to see you all then!

Monthly Meeting 24.01.11

2011-01-30T19:11:00.000-08:00

Our first meeting for the year was a great success! The night was Australian native bonsai themed and was supported by a large crowd of members.
Steve brought in a large and very old callistemon that was pruned and re-potted while Quentin shared his wealth of knowledge on how to grow, style and maintain Australian native bonsai while critiquing members trees that had been brought in.
What a great start to the year and what a great amount of trees turned up for display.
Hopefully this is just a taste of things to come.

Steve and his old callistemon

Quentin begins the critique

Some of the trees from the display table.

Monthly Meeting 23.08.10

2010-09-06T23:26:00.000-07:00

This months meeting was a workshop which brought a range of interesting material and bonsai along to. Some great results were gained over the course of the night with plenty of keen memebers in attendance to provide advice.

The display trees were great and it is fantastic to see such nice trees being brough in each month for all the members to enjoy.

October Show.

2010-08-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

It's getting close to that time again, Show time! I encourage every one to come down to the Box Hill Town Hall (White horse Rd, Box Hill) on the 9th and 10th of October to see a fantastic display of show quality bonsai, make use of the great collection of sales materials (plants, pots, books and other bonsai related items) and meet some of the friendly club members.

I hope to see you all there!

Triple Demo

2010-06-09T15:46:00.000-07:00

May's demonstration was a triple with Tony, Joe and Gerard. They each worked on material at different stages of development from cutting through to mature stock. Each gave the crowd insight into the different approaches and methods that are appropriate for each stage of a bonsai's life. All in all it was a great and interesting night that hopefully gives some insight into thing to come from these 3 demonstrators in the future.

Pictures below.

The demonstrators hard at work

Tony explains his techniques

Autumn is here and there were some beautiful display trees that were displaying their colour.

The quality of the display just keeps on getting better! I look forward to seeing you all at the next meeting.

SPECIAL SALE DAY!!! MAY 30th

2010-05-23T21:30:00.000-07:00

Doors open 10am - 2pm

Kew Masonic Centre
31-33 Strathalbyn St. Kew Mel.45 G 3/4

OPEN TO ALL BONSAI CLUBS AND ENTHUSIASTS

ENTRY $2

FANTASTIC SELECTION OF BONSAI AND RELATED BONSAI ITEMS - pots, stands, books, tools, nursery stock and a large variety of Bonsai trees.

This once a year event is an excellent chance to pick up some truly terrific bargains!

See you all there!

Meeting 22.03.10

2010-04-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

On this meeting Geoff and Richard gave a very interesting and informative talk on Saikei or tray landscapes. These were very popular a number of years ago and hopefully this talk encourages our members to have a go and create their own miniature landscapes.
Saikei is a great way to utilise young stock (something that we all tend to have) in a way that really gives a sense of mystery and age.

Thanks again to Geoff and Richard.

Photos below.

A good sized crowd looks on....

Richard and Geoff work on giving the audience a clear understanding of Saikei

Some Saikei on the display table

A beautiful elm also on display

The sales table in full swing.

Hirotoshi Saitoh 2010.

2010-03-15T16:02:00.001-07:00

As you may or may not be aware, Hirotoshi Saitoh will be in Melbourne for workshops and a demonstration from the 29/06/10 to the 06/07/10. Hirotoshi's workshops are a great way to accelerate you skill levels and improve your trees.

Don't have a tree to work on but would still like to experience and learn from a Japanese master? Come along as an observer and learn along with those working on their trees.

Details on workshops and demonstrations are in the flyer below. Bookings are essential so get in quickly!

Download flyer HERE

Monthly Meeting 25.01.10

2010-01-29T22:41:00.000-08:00

The first meeting of the new year kicked off with a Australian native theme. Quentin worked on a old, medium sized kunzea and over the course of the demonstration managed to find it a new home in a beautiful piece of Mallee root. All in all it was an informative night on natives and all members benefited from Quentins vast knowledge. Pictures below.

An eager crowds watches the informative demonstration.

Quentin wires one of his fine native bonsai.

The kunzea's rootball is worked into submission with the help of Steve.

The Kunzea in its new home. A perfect match.

Even the display had a great representation of native bonsai.

Annual Show 3.10.09

2009-10-06T15:43:00.000-07:00

This years show was a great success! We had a large number of both members and general public through the doors to admire the high quality of display trees and make purchases from the vast range of stock, pots, books, stands and tools.

A huge thank you to all the members that helped out over the weekend!

Below are a few pictures.

Thanks to every one who came along, I hope got as much enjoyment from it as we did.

Monthly Meeting 28.9.09

2009-10-06T15:17:00.000-07:00

This month saw a large crowd watch the transformation of an old cedar and learnt about the ways to grow and propagate Jade.
The cedar was wired and bent into shape to form a graceful bunjin styled tree. Joe and John worked on the tree under Quentins instruction while he also talked about Jades.

Some of the Jades on Display.

The cedar before the work.

A crowd watches the demonstration

The finished tree.
Here are a couple of the display trees. It is great that every meeting the quality of the display trees gets better and better.

All in all it made for an informative night with much information provided to the hall of keen members.

Zhi Ping Song 23.07.09

2009-09-08T02:44:00.000-07:00

A packed meeting hall was treated to a demonstration by Mr. Zhi Ping Song. He not only brought with him some new techniques but also a beautifully styled spruce. His demonstration was very interesting for all those in attendance whom gained an incite into Chinese bonsai and a couple of new techniques.

Mr. Zhi Ping Song

The very full hall

A very well styled spruce Mr. Song had styled earlier.

The demonstration tree.

Mr. Song had purposefully chosen poor material to demonstrate ways in which to improve everyday trees. Some of which were splitting branches to increase bend-ability and also twisting trunks to move branches into more desirable locations.

Not only was the demo excellent but there was a very high level of display trees on display from some of our members. Photos below.

Monthly meeting 27.07.09

2009-08-03T19:11:00.000-07:00

Tonights meeting saw Don WIre and style a very old Black pine with some interesting history! This tree had been slowly grown over many years and had branch, by branch made the change from informal upright to Bunjin. Tonight Don gave us a glimpse into the trees bright future

The tree is wired from top to toe!

Then each branch was moved into possition

And finally we arrived at this graceful bonsai. This tree has a quite a bit of growing to go but it was very obvious that its future was a bright one.

Some of the trees from the ever improving display bench.

2009-07-01T01:19:00.000-07:00

Monthly meeting 22 6 09

2009-07-01T01:14:00.000-07:00

Tonights meeting was another very successful workshop with many trees brought in for discussion and styling. These nights work well because of all the willing helpers, so a big thanks to all involved.

Above is a sample of the excellent trees on display.

Monthly meeting 25.05.09

2009-05-30T16:52:00.000-07:00

Richard began his demonstration with a discussion on rock planting and a description of the materials he intended to use.

His creation included a Chinese Juniper planted on a dished slab of sandstone. The juniper was pruned and wired to create the illusion of a tree growing in a windswept coastal position.

Looking good Richard.

Richard also created a mini to show us how easy it can be to transform a piece of nursery stock to a very beautiful tree in about 15 minutes.

A very keen audience looked on and thoroughly enjoyed the night.

Monthly meeting 27.04.09

2009-05-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

Monday nights workshop was well attended considering the cold wet weather. There was a great range of trees worked on, and the display table was excellent. As usual there were plenty of willing helpers to ensure a successful night.

Monthly meeting 23.03.09

2009-04-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

Tonight's demonstration saw David transform an old juniper. Through wireing and thoughtful placement of foliage he was able to totally transform the appearance of the bonsai. It was finally complimented with a crescent shaped pot.

Monthly meeting 23.02.09

2009-02-26T19:07:00.000-08:00

Tonight's meeting was a workshop night. We had a strong turnout with a range of trees brought along to be worked on. Members with 'ask me' tags on were present to lend a helping hand and to provide advice on what direction the tree should and or could take. It was a busy night full of activity. Photos below.

Monthly meeting 26.01.09

2009-02-18T19:08:00.000-08:00

Well, our first meeting for 2009 got off to a great start with a major piece of surgery and styling being performed on a Japanese black pine. A piece of ordinary stock with many faults was carved, bent and wired into a form that was much improved. It was a drastic operation that is rarely seen at demonstrations. What a great start to the year and hopefully a taste of things to come!

The tree as it arrived. It was wrapped the night
before in a wet towel to increase the barks flex ability.

It was then hollowed out via carving......

to form a channel where wires could be placed
and also to make the trunk more flexible....

...it was then wrapped in raffia and rubber .....

...And bent....

....then wired to form the finished product

Monthly meeting 23.09.08

2008-10-27T00:45:00.001-07:00

Tonight saw Don give a fascinating demonstration on a Scotts pine. It ended up being styled as a bunjin tree with a very bright future. All in all a very enjoyable and informative evening.

Monthly meeting 25.08.08

2008-09-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

Tonight saw Michael give an amazing demonstration of grafting techniques on conifers. This technique was one that previously seemed almost impossibly complex. Michael showed that in fact it is really simple and i am sure that quite a few members will be giving the technique a go. I look forward to seeing the results! Michael showed us how to add branches, graft seedlings and add or totally change foliage. It was one of the most informative nights yet!

A black pine is grafted

Special Sale day

2008-08-20T03:15:00.000-07:00

The special sale day was a great success with many quality items offered for sale. Tools, pots, stock and finished bonsai were available for purchase.

For those that missed out, hopefully next years sale day will be bigger and better again!

Monthly meeting 28.07.08

2008-07-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

Tonight we saw Joe work on an old Radiata pine. Unfortunately due to the age of the pine it was rather brittle and some of the branches were not able to reach there final positions. Hopefully during a subsequent wiring this will be corrected. As the transformation was rather quick he also talked about a technique for reducing needle length on Japanese black and red pines. This technique should be outlined in the next newsletter.
It was a good night with some beautiful display trees (Sorry, I forgot to take photos).

Enjoy.

The Radiata before the work

And after the work.

HIrotoshi Saito

2008-07-11T22:59:00.000-07:00

Another series of successful workshops has come to an end, with this year seeing some truly spectacular transformations. It will be great to see how the workshop trees develop over the next few years.

This years demonstration was especially interesting with several different procedures done over the course of the demonstration.

Hiro ponders a front

A happy crowd looks on

Hiro and a white pine

For anyone that missed the demonstration or workshops, you missed a great few days of bonsai, but don't despair, Hiro should be out in two years time which should give you ample time to prepare material!

Monday, June 23, 2008

2008-06-23T05:43:00.000-07:00

Tonight a good sized audience saw a talk on Camellias by Sally. All kinds of bonsai suitable varieties were discussed. Most had nice small leaves and beautiful flowers. It seems the camellia it a perfect subject for bonsai and shares many traits with that of the Azalea. All in all a very informative night. Hopefully we will see an increase in Camellia bonsai in the future.

Photos below:

One of the beautiful blooms.

Sally Discussing the merits of Camellias.

Some of the Display trees:

Hawthorn

English Elm

May meeting 26.10.08

2008-05-26T05:24:00.000-07:00

Tonight saw David bring in a range of unusual trees that had been collected over the last few years. He brought to light just how interesting trees can become when one looks outside the usual bonsai mold. It was interesting to see the range of opinions that were generated when discussing some of the stock. After a brief discussion of each tree David made some large chops on one of his trees that should see it become a fine tree in a few years time. Photos below.

David Begins the talk.

A Hawthorn (before)

During.....

And after the chop!

A bizarly shaped hawthorn

And the sketch of its future.

Some of the display trees.

Chinese Elm

Japanese Maple

March Meeting 24.03.08

2008-04-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

March's meeting saw a triple demonstration where a range of materials were worked upon. Two Old pines (both a Japanese black and a white) were refined and styled by John, while Chris worked on a fine small cedar. Elaine both worked on and discussed the merits of forest plantings.