We put on a club display over Saturday and Sunday at Lakeside promoting both the hobby and the club. Quite a bit of interest including some people who picked up the club on Facebook and an opportunity to dispel the myths that the general public have with bonsai. You will see that because Sally and Derek could only cover Saturday ( Sally had one of her trees in the Bonsai Expo show on Sunday. ). We changed the trees on Sunday and Clive H had more room to bring in bigger trees have included photos of both days, always enjoyable to talk to the public and many thanks to Steve the Centre manager fo ..read more

Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April we will be putting on a club display at Lakeside Garden Centre Crockerton to promote the hobby and the club all welcome to call in for a chat with us. Have attached a photo of last years display ..read more

With the almost relentless days of rain we all seemed to have the same issue, trees not undercover in constant sodden compost but now pushing bud. So this meeting would be the last one to do any repotting so a case of press on. Those of us that still had the Yews from the club project brought them in to be photographed to record their progress or not see pics below. Only few thanks to Sally,I must take more pics of the evening. In last months post I posted photos of our trip to Lodder Bonsai, while we were there we met Corrin of Greenwood Bonsai who had been invited over to give a demonstratio ..read more

A small group of us have been visiting Lodder Bonsai for over fifteen years, the last few years we have timed our visit with their open week. It is an experience just to see the shear variety, size and quality under one roof, it also gives you the opportunity if you buy to search out a pot if you are looking to the future. This open week end is not only an opportunity to see their new stock but the owner invites other Bonsai related dealers to have a stall inside their loading area. I have taken just a few photos of the main display greenhouse to try to give people some idea of the scale that ..read more

Busy evening with repotting the main focus, talking to members we all seem to be facing similar challenges trees coming into bud much earlier and not only trees kept in greenhouses but outside as well. This is not only shortening the traditional repotting season but with the weeks of heavy rain the trees kept outdoors are that more awkward to work on as they have not had a chance to dry out, strange times in our seasons. TOTM 1st Japanese Quince chojubai Clive H2nd Korean Hornbeam Sally 3rd Prunus Mume Geoff HCotoneasterScots PineJapanese Quince chojubai ..read more

First meeting of the new year, some trees being worked on but also it was the selection of trees and setting out our display for the forthcoming Swindon Winter Image Show on Sunday 11th February. We have three six by two tables for display which is quite a large area, Clive H our show manager had an idea to try to present a selection of trees held by members to that end it would comprise three separate Tokonoma,s one with a Shohin and the other two with larger trees with accompanying smaller trees to give some perspective. This involved lots of shuffling round trying to find trees that have th ..read more

The December meeting is our AGM, Best Decorated tree and social get together. The AGM was concluded in not too much time with the committee being re-elected and with annual subs and monthly entrance fees remaining the same as this year. I will email to all members more details of the meeting as well as the calendar for 2024. The best Decorated Tree was quite well attended I think some members might have been put off by the high/questionable? artistic talents shown in last year’s competition do not be put off for next year please take your time to view this years entrants and wonder what member ..read more

Pre covid we have had several workshops with Lee all thoroughly enjoyable, so when we had been able to book one for this month it was a chance to learn so much more and have your trees critiqued in a positive way. Lee,s method is for him to come to your table view/discuss your tree it’s horticultural requirements, pests etc and what work is required going forward, he does carry out some work if you are not sure during this he talked about many subjects covering how nurseries work in Japan, choice of pots. I keep saying it but just listening to what is said about the trees on each members table ..read more

This meeting was intended to be winter repotting but due to the persistent rainfall and soggy compost it was not possible however members did find work to carry out preparing trees for winter. TOTM 1st Acer Palmatum Clive H2nd Acer Palmatum SallyJoint 3rd Chamaecyparis Goff HooJoint 3rd Chinese Elm Derek ..read more

October can be an in between month with many trees still in full leaf but slowing down and just showing the hint of autumn tints on some, so general maintaining checking wiring some pruning but really waiting for the leaves to drop so that autumn repotting can take place. Nevertheless a busy meeting especially with Amelia continuing her Penjing plantings which are proving popular amongst the members, and Gary bringing in a large heavy lump of rock which has some very interesting holes in for ideas on planting it up. This is a very interesting piece of rock and will need consider selection of w ..read more