Yarra Valley Bonsai Society Home Page

The Yarra Valley Bonsai Society, based in the 'far east' of Melbourne, caters for bonsai enthusiasts of all skill levels, from the simply curious and absolute beginner to the advanced practitioners.

Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at Chirnside Park Community Hib at 33 Kimberley Drive in Chirnside Park (Melway Ref 37 F3 or see map here). Monthly meetings usually begin with a Review/Overview session at 7.30pm, followed by a short business section and then a feature event: usually a demonstrator or speaker on a topic of interest. In addition to our monthly meetings, we hold informal workshops on the last Saturday of each month from 1-4:00 pm also at Chirnside Park Community Hub.

For membership enquiries contact info@yarravalleybonsai.org.au or download an application form and send it to the PO Box listed above. Better yet, bring it along to the next meeting or workshop. Membership has its benefits, such as substantial discounts at selected nurseries and other businesses of interest, but visitors are always welcome.

LATEST NEWS: Well here we are in “Mighty March” already. Statistically Summer is over, and it is now Autumn, but it seems like it has been Autumn for a while!
Before the Autumn colors start to appear, there will no doubt be more combinations of warmer and cooler weather. This means that we still need to continue constant maintenance of our collections. Late summer and early autumn growth, strengthens and increases the size of trunks and branches. and new leaf buds and shoots can still appear. Therefore, watering needs to be kept up, although this should be able to be reduced as the weather cools. Wires will need to be constantly checked and replaced as required. This is to maintain shape and to also prevent them from cutting into the bark. Trees not only need care now, but also to help them prepare for the long winter haul ahead. Despite the work involved however, bonsai is a wonderful art form and hobby that can be enjoyed by anyone. The results are well worth the effort!

Our February Monthly Meeting featured a demonstration and presentation by Craig Wilson on Cultivation of Bonsai. He reminded us not to neglect the summer maintenance needed on deciduous trees. Craig pointed out that now is the time to work on them as many are in serious growth mode at present. If they are not, then they may need more feeding. Craig’s experience and friendly, understanding manner is well known around our club, and those present benefited greatly from the advice he gave.

The Club Sale Day has just been held and was judged a great success by the many sellers who took tables. Judging by the many trees and pots which went out the door, most buyers were also happy with the results of the day!

March’s Monthly Meeting will be a presentation and demonstration by Lindsay H entitled Pot Selection and Basic Wiring Techniques. This session will be of particular interest to our newer members, and will also bring reminders to those that have been down this path before. Hopefully, a lot of discussion will ensue.

The Saturday afternoon Workshop this month is on March 27th. It will be held at our venue in Chirnside Park from 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

Our April Monthly Meeting on Tuesday 13th 2020 will feature special guest presenter Scott Martin bringing to us a “Demonstration on Pines”- especially Scot’s Pine.

The April Saturday afternoon Workshop will be on April 24th at our usual venue from 1:00 – 4:00pm.

And remember we look forward to catching up with you somewhere in the “world of bonsai” in 2021.