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: Due to Covid Lockdown restrictions, the September Club meeting will be online via Zoom. Members will be advised of logion details via email prior to the event. Whether the September Last Saturday of the Month Workshop will proceed is unknown at this stage - watch this space for updates!

The monthly meeting and Last Saturday of the Month Workshop in August unfortunately had to be cancelled due to Covid restrictions, which are still ongoing. We will be holding a Zoom online meeting in September 14th at 7:30pm. Login details will be sent to members via email prior to the event. The Zoom meeting will feature our AGM, a Bonsai Basics presentation on “Bonsai Soil Media”, and a report from selected members on one of their trees of interest from their collection. Although we can’t physically be together, this promises to be an interesting evening and we hope to see many members virtually attending..
Well, look at the evidence out of your windows, it’s SPRINGTIME at last. But the weather can still be a little uncertain, so many trees are still a little confused. Some are tentatively pushing forth blossoms and leaves, others are holding back waiting for a more definite indication that it really is Spring. But whatever is happening in your garden, this is still an exciting time of the year worth waiting for. Enjoy being outside at every opportunity, watching and waiting on every little leaf, bud or blossom to appear. When they do get going, like their bigger brothers, bonsai trees develop very quickly and need constant attention, care and maintenance. Bonsai growers need to be ready to help them along the way.
With new growth, the need to water and fertilize increases. Trees need to be observed individually to establish the amount and frequency of water that is necessary for each one. Overwatering must be avoided. It is a process of wetting and drying. When fertilizing a combination of slow release and liquid fertilizers should be used. It is better to fertilize regularly and frequently in small weak doses rather than giving a strong dose now and then. With flowering species, fertilizing should not commence until after flowering has finished.
Remember to keep enjoying the “Little Things” in life. Bonsai is a great hobby, and we invite you to “get on board”.