Gib and Carlton Talk Soils and Repotting

by Michael Rusnak

ACBS's own Carlton Buck went into great detail in a discussion over some of the important ingredients commonly used in bonsai soil, such as pumice, haydite, turkey grit, Turface, charcoal, the clay like substance known as “Akadama,” bark and moss.

   Carlton pointed out a few considerations for your soil, noting that “Soil mix is dependent on such things as climate conditions where you keep your trees—shade vs sun or calm vs windy, for example.” He added to also think about how rapidly will the soil dry out? If they dry out faster, for example, you may want to include more organic material.

As if soils were not enough, Carlton, then teamed with ACBS ace bonsai guy Gib Butler to demonstrate the repotting process. A tall exposed root azalea was used in the demonstration. The duo worked together to place it neatly –and aesthetically-- in a hand-made round pot—a beautiful result as can be seen in the photograph below.

Repotting is an annual chore and a little head start helps. Gib likes to be well prepared for the season with with a neat and organized work space, plenty well mixed soil, a good supply of wire and clean sharp tools. Such preparation is good way to manage this process and keep your trees healthy.  

 Two video clips from last month's demonstration on repotting and root pruning at these two links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0rQ7V_0oFo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct7zIa3-mYA

All of our videos are at 

https://www.youtube.com/user/AkronCantonBonsai/videos

Take a look.  

Classic Bonsai Styles and Finding them in Ordinary Stock

In a presentation designed to help beginning members, ACBS's own Mike Rusnak discussed slides showing classic bonsai styles. Mike noted that “by studying the forms of classic styles, it can both inspire and help the beginning student discover such shapes in potential bonsai  pointing to a photograph of a tree in a local grove of Scots pine, he said that “a careful look at such trees can inspire you to use natural trees as shapes as models—the shape of the apex, for example.” 

Mike's  pine created from Christmas tree stock

Mike also discussed creating bonsai from such plants as throw-away shrubbery and nursery stock. He included some tips on what to look for when selecting stock. 

Juniper from nursery stock

 He identified some qualities he likes to look for in a row of trees 1)good hefty trunk with a fanning root base—you can be check by scraping away some of the surface soil, 2)a trunk that has some movement or interest, 3) a good selection of branches and 4)branches that are close in to the trunk. He added that “for me most of the fun of bonsai is in the process. Creating something that becomes a presentable bonsai from something ordinary is both fun and rewarding. It may take several seasons, but it is always exciting to start a new project.”

Literati-like pine in an Ohio field

Mike with a favorite creation

Mike recommended Dave DeGroot's book “Basic Bonsai Design,” as an excellent starting place and resource for learning how to create bonsai from nursery stock. The book reviews classic styles, design principles, and contains several sample projects showing the transition between nursery stock and a bonsai. Many of the projects pictured show typical-looking stock and where initial cuts might be made  to begin to creating a bonsai. The book can be purchased from the American Bonsai Society for $15.95 at this link:

http://www.absbonsai.org/store/basic-bonsai-designhttp://www.absbonsai.org/store/basic-bonsai-design