LATEST NEWS: Look out your window – what do you see? Bare branched deciduous trees everywhere, dotted amongst the evergreens. An ever increasing carpet of soggy brown leaves, and plenty of puddles on the ground. The occasional sunny break in the clouds, but generally just wet, windy, miserable and cold weather. However we have to expect this now because we’re in the middle of Winter.
But things are cheery in the bonsai world. There’s always lots of tree maintenance and other related activities to keep people active and warm.
Whilst “the little” deciduous trees are leafless it is a good time to carefully inspect them, and make any changes that will improve their shape and style. The busy potting season is also not too far away either, so having wiring and pruning tasks completed before then will make things less hectic in Spring. Avoid the temptation to repot too early though - wait until the buds start to swell. Due to changes in the weather patterns, some might be starting to do this now - so take the lead from what your trees are doing, and not the calendar. Let their actions be your guide.

Another way for Club members to overcome any winter blues is to attend the Tutorial Workshops with Craig Wilson, This 5 week course commences on Tuesday 22nd August at the Cire Services facility in Mt. Evelyn. It offers excellent value for the quality of tuition the participants receive. Contact the Club on info@yarravalleybonsai.org.au for further details and registrations.

Because of works being carried out at our Venue, we have had to adjust the program for the July Monthly Meeting. Fortunately we have been able to swap the July program with the August one.
At the Meeting to be held at 7:30pm on Tuesday 11th July at Cire Services – Mount Evelyn, Tien Liao from Bonsai Sensation Nursery will be our special guest. He will bring a “Presentation and Progress report on Last Year’s Deciduous Trees” which he worked on at our 2016 October meeting. He has also invited members to bring along their own deciduous trees, whatever stage of development they are at (from beginners to established). Tien has offered to give help and advice on where to go and what to do next with them – an excellent opportunity for members to receive individual advice from an experienced Bonsai artist.
The next monthly workshop will be held on Saturday 29th July 2017 at Cire Services – Mt. Evelyn from 1.00pm until 4.30pm. The extended time was greatly appreciated by those that attended the June Workshop as it gave them more time to chat and allowed them to undertake some of the more complicated tasks.

The Bonsai Basics session on “How To Select Nursery Stock For Future Bonsai”, will now be the subject of the ‘Monthly Meeting’ on August 8th 2017. This will be followed by a General Workshop. The Clubs own experts will be on hand to offer expert advice and support to members on the trees they bring along.
There is always something happening in the Bonsai World, so we encourage you to get on board.

NOTE: the email address info@yarravalleybonsai.org.au is temporarily unmonitored. Please use yarravalleybonsai@gmail.com to contact us until advised otherwise.