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I sincerely hope you enjoy this issue of Florida Bonsai.

Florida Bonsai
February
2 0 0 5

A few points to increase your enjoyment:


* To make usage easier, this screen version is specially formatted
for easy reading on your screen. Set the magnication on the top
bar at 100% or, if you have a large screen, use t page. If you
want to print a colored hard copy down load the Print version,
it is in book format and will print much better.
* You will note a different page numbering in this screen version to
t the format of the Adobe Reader.
You are viewing 2 pages in one window. That makes the page
numbers at the bottom of the Adobe window disagree with the
book pages.
To make it easier to nd things all pages have two numbers. The
magazine page number and the Adobe window number, such as
(28/18). This means the magazine page 28 is on screen window
page 18. It should get easier as you use it.
* NOTE: Wherever there is a page reference, including the
numbers on the Contents page, you can place the cursor on
that page number and go directly to the referenced page and
use the
button at the bottom of each page to go back to the
Contents page.
* Take particular note of the web page addresses, indicated as this
sample: http://www.bonsai-bsf.com . If you move your
cursor over the above sample, it will change and afford you the
ability to go directly to that web page by simply clicking the address. Be sure to try this with all the advertisers, I think you will
be pleasantly surprisedespecially where there are club sites.
Enjoy. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. My Email
address is dmiller444@adelphia.net (Sorry, I dont know how to
make this link to Email.)
See you at the convention in July,

Dick Miller
BONSAI SOCIETIES
OF FLORIDA, INC.
VOL XXXV NUMBER 1 ISSUE 141

n
pri

Bonsai Societies of Florida


2005 Annual Convention

ALL THE USUAL EVENTS


VENDORS
EXHIBIT
AUCTIONS
DEMONSTRATIONS
WORKSHOPS

Bonsai
2005

PLUS

Simply
the Best

FRIDAY CLUB NIGHT:


July 1, 7:00 TO 10:00 PM
*** CLUB DEMO ***

July 1st 4th, 2005

All clubs & study groups are eligible.

Featuring:

*** INDIVIDUAL DEMO ***

All BSF members are eligible


To enter - Email:
bsf2005conv@aol.com, or
dcal104@aol.com

JERRY MEISLIK
BEN OKI
CHASE ROSADE
&
MIKE CARTRETT
ERNIE FERNANDEZ
MARY MADISON
JIM SMITH
ED TROUT
JIM VANLANDINGHAM
i/2

At The RADISSON HOTEL


Cape Canaveral, FL

Hosted by the Bonsai Societies of Florida:


For additional information, contact

S
LU t h

ou op
Y
A k s h ning
r
or
W o y M on

Feb 2005

BSF 2005 Convention


c/o Delilia Callahan
7185 Bridle Path
St. Cloud, FL 34771
407/892-9860

o
a
urd m to N
t
a
S
0a
9:0
Email: bsf2005conv@aol.com
Visit our web-site at: www.bonsaisocietyofbrevard.org/2005/2005.hmtl
Florida Bonsai
ii/2

PURPOSE

The Bonsai Societies of


Florida shall provide, for
the various bonsai societies, clubs, study groups, and
bonsai related organizations
having various names, a statewide organization to deal with
common issues and needs, and
to support their programs.
MEMBERSHIP

Individuals acquire BSF membership as members of a local


Member Club.
Other memberships include:
Member-At-Large,
Member Organization At Large,
Donor Membership, or
Special Life Membership.
For membership information
contact your local club, the BSF
web site, or:
Tammy Malin
Membership Chair
PO Box 12124
Fort Pierce, FL 34979-2124
Email for information:
bsfmembership@yahoo.com
iii/3

OFFICER S / T R U S T E E S &
CO M M I T T E E S
OFFICERS:
President
(See Page 1)
1st Vice President
Open
2nd Vice President
Gene Callahan
Treasurer
Ed Lippencott
Assistant Treasurer Dave Bechtold
Corres. Secretary
Vladimir Foursa
Recording Secretary Carol McKinney
Past President
Louise Leister
Trustees:
Dist. 1
Lynn Fabian
Dist. 2
Steve Chapman
Dist. 3
Ray Malin
Dist. 4
Stan Orsolek
Dist. 5
Al Harnage
Dist. 6
Judy Gore
Committees:
Archives
Open
Education
Ray Malin
EPCOT/BSF
Peter Wood
Membership
Tammy Malin
Publications/Editor:
Dick Miller
Speakers
Stan Orsolek
Internet:
Web Master:
Tom Zane

MAGAZINE COVER
Like buttonwoods? Take a good
look at the front cover. This is typical of the coastal lands throughout
the keys, a very harsh and ravaged
landwhere buttonwoods ght to
exist. This picture is from a slide
provided by Mary Miller.
As usual pictures dont give us the
full impact of the subject. There is more
information in the buttonwood article.
Feb 2005

CONTENTS

BONSAI SOCIETIES OF FLORIDA

SPECIAL
FEATURES
Presidents Page .............................

1/4

Interview.........................................

3/5

What Bonsai Means To Me ............

7/7

Sincerely ........................................

50/29

A word to our members


Mary Madison

Lisa Batz story

The Wigerts story

FEATURED
RTICLES
American Hornbeam .....................

8/8

Buttonwood .....................................

9/8

Morikami Museum .........................

24/16

BSF Goes To Prison For 20 Years ..

28/18

A truly great bonsai species

Floridas great bonsai, a compilation


Lot of things going on

An amazing story

CONVENTION
INFORMATION
Convention: Youth Program ..........

36/22

Bonsai Exhibit ...............................

37/22

The future of bonsai

Everyone get in the act

CLUB
ACTIVITIES
Azalea, Tallahassee, &
Tri-Cities Clubs Shows Info ...........
Kawas Joy Of Bonsai Report ........
Miami Show Report ......................
Southwest Florida Show Report ...
Treasure Coasts Heathcote ..........

Florida Bonsai

West Palm Beach Shows Info ........

47/27
47/27
40/24
39/23
48/28
47/27

iv/3

FLORIDA BONSAI

FLORIDA BONSAI IN COLOR

444 MUIRFIELD DR.


ATLANTIS, FL 33462-1206

A black and white printed version of the magazine is provided


to members of the Bonsai Societies of Florida.
It is also available to them in
full color by downloading from
the BSF web site:

Editor:
Richard M. Miller
dmiller444@adelphia.net
President:
Gene Callahan
7185 Bridle Path
St. Cloud, FL 34771
dcal104@aol.com
FLORIDA BONSAI is the
ofcial publication of the
Bonsai Societies Of Florida.
It is published quarterly, in
Feb., May, Aug., and Nov., and
is provided to each member.
Be sure to visit our web site at:
http://www.bonsai-bsf.com
Web Master:
Tom Zane

tomz50925@aol.com

ADVERTISING
ALL ADVERTISING RATES
SAME AS LAST YEAR.
Contact the Editor, noted above,
for rates and conditions.
DEADLINES FOR MATERIAL
& ADVERTISEMENTS:
Spring issue . . . . . . . Dec 10
Summer issue . . . . . . Mar 10
Autumn issue . . . . . . .Jun 10
Winter issue . . . . . . . Sep 10

v/4

http://www.bonsai-bsf.com/color_cy.htm

There is a version for printing a


booklet, and another one for reading on the screen.
Be sure you have a current version of Adobe Reader available free
on the rst Publications page.
CREDITS/THANKS
Thanks to everyone who wrote
buttonwood material in the past.
Also, the buttonwood pictures as
well, from many sources.
The photos of the Miami Fairchild
event by Larry Duke, Mary Miller
and myself, and all who worked so
hard.
Mary Madison, for your time and
indulgence, knowledge and sharing.
Lisa Batz for your sharing.
Joe Day for the info on Hornbeams.
The prison gang, too many to
name (See article).
People who send me information
about your club activities.
Thanks to all the contributors who
make this magazine interestingto
create.
Feb 2005

Return to Contents

WORDS TO
BSF MEMBERS
by Gene Callahan
As second vice president, I regretfully report
to you our president and
rst vice president have
resigned a couple months early
for personal reasons. You can be
assured there are no issues, and the
remainder of the board continues
in place doing their jobs.
According to the BSF By-Laws,
the presidential mantel in this situation falls on the second vice-president. I accept this responsibility
and will endeavor to fulll the position as outlined in the By-Laws.
I ask for your support to keep
BSF moving toward the scheduled
elections this spring. At this time a
nominating committee is preparing
a ballot for consideration by the
Board of Trustees of BSF. By the
time you get this issue of Florida
Bonsai the board will have had
a routine annual winter meeting
scheduled for Jan 22, 2005 and
will have approved a ballot to be
submitted to your club by March.
As my other hat is Chairman
of the 2005 Convention, I want to
personally invite you to our get
together on the July 4th weekend
Florida Bonsai

for another great time.


Everyone enjoyed the
facilities last year so
much we elected to meet
there again this year. Our
committees are working
hard to make this convention as memorable as last
yearin fact they are committed to
have Simply the Best convention
ever. The Radisson hotel at Cape
Canaveral has wonderful facilities
with lots of roomsall at reasonable rates.

Bonsai Societies of Florida


2005 CONVENTION

Bonsai
2005
Simply
the Best
July 1st 4th, 2005
At The RADISSON HOTEL
Cape Canaveral, FL
Featuring
JERRY MEISLIK
BEN OKI
CHASE ROSADE
&

MIKE CARTRETT
ERNIE FERNANDEZ
MARY MADISON
JIM SMITH
ED TROUT
JIM VANLANDINGHAM

1/4

Some words from the Editor:

big ones are our advertisers!

MARY MADISON

It is rewarding to work with such


great people who give a lot to enhance
your hobbybonsai. The credit block
lists some, but not all the people who
make this job interesting and enjoyable.

If you value this magazine, if you


want it to continue, check out the advertisers and let them know with a very big
thank you. Without them we would have
raise the dues about $8 per person per
year or chuck this magazine.

AN INTERVIEW:

You may have heard before, Tom


Zane and Alan Gouldthorp are my two
constant consultants who keep my
stuff reasonably readablemonth after
month.

If you really want them to keep the


magazine coming BUY SOMETHING
FROM OUR ADVERTISERS then your
thank you will mean something to
them.

Gene Callahan, is an example of a


dedicated member of BSF who steps
in where there is a need and takes the
assignmentno matter how tough.
What good is a magazine of an organi-

If you dont believe me, we just lost


one advertiser because you didnt buy
from him. Believe it.

Almost everyone
knows Mary . . .
Queen of the
Buttonwoods
Madison-or do
they? She always
seemed kind of
quiet and private
to mewho knew
little of her, and
met her about once
a year. I thoroughly enjoyed this
interview, the rst time I really
talked to herand about herself. I
have never seen her look better.
Ed: What made you get involved
with bonsai?

zation that doesnt care or cant function. When we had no convention,


no volunteers for 2005, Gene stepped
up and said he would do itjust as he
nished doing the 2004 convention.
With no exception, all past General
Chairmen have said it was fun, but
once was enough.

These are business people, and if they


dont increase sales, why would they
advertise. If you want to do anything
to help your editor, corner every retailer
you meet and tell them to get with it.
The ones who dont are getting a free
ride paid by the ones who do advertise.

MM: As a child I grew a lot of


plants because there was nothing
else to do; there were no other kids
around our neighborhood when I
was young.

If that isnt enough, unavoidable


events unfold that cast Gene into the
presidency two plus years earlier than
he may have planned.
I can say thanks here, but you need
to make a special effort to thank him.
You cannot know the really big contributors, unless you have this job, or
serve as Treasurer of BSF. The really

2/5

Magazines with bonsai knowledge, information and things that give you ideas
increase their sales even if they dont
know it. If they know you will only buy
from advertisers they might get the hint.
Do yourself a favor. This year at the
convention take the above advice; rst
thank our advertisers, and then let the
others know where you make your purchasesand why.
Enjoy . . . .
Dick
Feb 2005

Return to Contents

Ed: Where were you young?


MM: I was born in Homestead
in 1929, about 3 miles from my
recent house.
Ed: Most of us cannot even begin
to appreciate what most of Florida
looked like in 1929, much less
Homestead.

where I attended
Miami Senior
High School.
Ed: Then?
MM: When I
graduated, in 1947,
I had a scholarship
to the U of M, as a
cheerleader.
Ed: And, did you
cheer?
MM: Well, before
entering the
University, in September, we had
a hurricane. My neighbors were
having a hurricane party and I
was home alone. Someone came
knocking at my window and nally
got me to come over to join them.
It turns out that hurricane
prevented me from being a
Hurricane Cheerleader.
Ed: How was that?
MM: That man who was banging
on my window was none other
than the future father of our
children, and my soul mate for the
next 56 years, T.J. (Troy James)
Madison.
Ed: That sounds exciting.

Ed: School?

MM: Only for the two of us. It


was a whirlwind, or should I say
hurricane romance because we got
married the next year. You might
say my parents were less than
happy about it.

MM: In 1942 we moved to Miami,

Ed: What was T.J. doing?

MM: It wasnt much. My Father


was an auto mechanic and we lived
in the middle of nowhere.

Florida Bonsai

See MARY page 4/6 >

3/5

> MARY from page 3/5

MM: T.J. was studying architecture


and working part time for an uncle
in the glass and mirror business.
He saw an opportunity and began
the famous Madison Glass and
Mirror company. Of course when
he quit the U of M for this, my
parents were, lets just say a bit
anxious for us.
Ed: What did T.J. do before that?

Ed: All those years way down south


of Miami; what made you leave?
MM: T.J. and I decided to make the
change shortly before he got sick.
We decided to try a new area of
Florida.
Ed: But, Highland County?
MM: We looked rst near LaBelle.
That fell through, and my son-in-

MM: Navy. Lucky for me (and


him) the Japanese kamikaze that
hit the destroyer he served on
missed him.

A New Beginning; In Sebring

law found this place. He never even


looked inside. After I checked it
out we made a proposal. Then T.J.
got so sick, and
everything was
chaos. Shortly
Ed: Family?
after he died the
people bought our
MM: We have two daughters,
house and closed,
Terry and Melinda, three
grandchildren and one great grand A new intersection so I had to get
in Sebring.
out. The day we
baby.
closed,
I
got
in
the
car and rushed to
Ed: Do they live nearby?
Sebring and closed this house-what a
MM: Jimmy and Terry (Lehman)
whirlwind.
live with me; their child, my
Ed: What got you interested in
grandchild lives in Homestead
with our great grand baby; Melinda bonsai?
MM: I loved to draw and paintstill
lives in Kenai, Alaska with two of
do. I always loved art, and I was
our grandchildren. Considering
the distance we see pretty much of planting things since I was a child.
each other.
In 1972 I saw an ad in a newspaper

4/6

MM: At the Miami club I met


Myna Hutcheson, Barbara Poglish,
Bill Zigler, and Bob Roslen. We
remained friends for a long time.
Then I met Joe Samuels in 1974
at a California convention no less.
We worked together at the 75
convention on Miami Beach and
have been great friends since.
Ed: Sounds like one heck of a start.
What was your greatest inspiration?

Ed: What did you do after High


School?
MM: I worked for Investor
Diversied Services for six years,
and then quit in 1953 to start our
family. From then on I kept house
and worked for T.J. in his business
until he sold the business and
retired around 1984.

about a bonsai meeting at Ponce de


Leon High School. I went and never
missed a meeting for a long, long
time.

Feb 2005

Return to Contents

together. I really miss him.


The thing that was such a thrill
was, in about 1976 the ve elite
masters of the Mego Kai, in
California became interested in
my buttonwoods. They named
my buttonwood Senryu the
Mystical Dragon. I was the rst
Caucasian woman ever accepted
and so honored by them.
Ed: What are some of the ofces
you have held in Florida bonsai?

Everything Needs A Lot Of Work

MM: I have served as President,


Vice President, and on the Board
of the Miami club for many years;
Secretary of BSF when Joe was
President. I was on the Board of

MM: That would have been when


I met the Japanese delegation
and received my greatest thrillin
bonsai. After Joe and I were
asked to join the Nippon Bonsai
Society I got to know John Naka,
More Stands Over There, Shelves
and Mr. Masakuni. We were
There, And A Koi Pond Here . . .
great friends. John Naka and I
traveled all over Japan and China
Florida Bonsai

See MARY page 6/7 >

5/6

What Bonsai Means To Me

> MARY from page 7/6

Directors of ABS for many years in


the 70s, and the Board of Directors
of BCI in 2002.
Ed: That was very impressive.
Whats next?
MM: I plan to keep doing what I
have always donelots of bonsai.
Now I have a new challenge. As
you can see with this house I have
to start from scratch with all my
stuff from Homestead. I will get
this yard xed up, add a koi pond
and have a nice collection again. I
am having trouble getting used to
digging and not nding limestone
under the topsoil. All this sand is
too easy.

by Lisa Batz

Anything new?
MM: I have been invited to do
buttonwood demonstrations
around the country, the state, and
next March in Winnipeg, Canada.
Darned if I know how they will
get buttonwoods there, into the
country, but if they canI will.
The only bad news is the absence
of a bonsai club. I am about 100
miles from Sarasota, Brevard,
Tampa, Port Charlotte, Ft. Myers,
Ft. Pierce, and probably a couple
other clubs. Not too tough to visit,
but the dickens to go to every
month. I guess I will have to be a
BSF Mary At Large member.

Ed: That should keep you busy.

DRAGON TREE BONSAI NURSERY


Pre-Bonsai:
Collected or,
Nursery Grown
Classes
Club Tours
Workshops
Demonstrations

The casual nursery. Stroll around


at your pace-no pressure.
Enjoy! Happy to see you.

Robert Pinder
3663 S.W. Honey Terrace
772/418-7079 Right Next to Turnpike Exit #133, in Palm City

6/7

Feb 2005

Return to Contents

I have read this


article in every issue
of Florida Bonsai
with a great deal
of interest, telling
myself that I will
write my story
one of these days.
Then Dick wrote a
little reminder note
saying he knew
someone out there had something
to write about. Well, Dick, you are
right. I do have a story to share.
My story starts in October of
2002 when I was diagnosed with
breast cancer during a routine
mammogram. My life went onto a
dramatic roller coaster ride, which
I knew would change me forever. I
always loved gardening and being

supportive
family and
many caring
friends
all whom
surrounded
me with love,
but I needed a
time with my
garden life.
Garden
Life to
me was reective, spiritual, and
fullling; yet, I could do very little
with my physical body. Everybody
suggested read, write, rest, but I
found no solace in any of these.
Then, I saw an advertisement for
bonsai classes at the Morikami
Museum. My husband Jim agreed
to drive me. Classes began in
February 2003. Vlad Foursa was

God had answered a prayer. I knew I was meant to be there after the rst
class and reading the book Introduction to Bonsai by Thomas Zane.

outdoors because it was


the time I felt so much
at peace and relaxed,
and close to God. After
my
many
surgeries,
bilateral breast removal
and reconstruction with
cancer metastasis, I knew
my gardening days would
have to change, just as I
had had to change.

Life was not easy to face, a long


road of chemotherapy, radiation,
and waiting. I have a wonderful
Florida Bonsai

the instructor. For 6


weeks it was the best
therapy I had found. God
had answered a prayer.
I knew I was meant to
be there after the rst
class and reading the
book Introduction to
Bonsai by Thomas Zane.
The book explained
the philosophy of this
wonderful Oriental art.
The scalene triangle, one in

Garden
Life to me
was reflective,
spiritual, and
fulfilling; yet, I
could do very
little with my
physical body.

See WBMTM page 26/17 >

7/7

Buttonwood,

American Hornbeam

Conocarpus erectus

Carpinus caroliniana

by Many Authors

by Joe Day

Here is a truly magnicent


tree, worthy of being a bonsai
in everyones collection. An
American hornbeam has a trunk
and nebari like no other tree. The
branching and leaf structure is a
bonsai artists dream.

We may not have California


junipersor Japanese Pines for that
matterbut in Florida we have the
buttonwood, Conocarpus erectus.
Its a semi-tropical tree that readily
matches the gnarly aged look of
many famous bonsai.

If you cant nd one in a nursery,


youll have to collect your own.
Collect your hornbeam shortly
after the last average frost date for
your area. When you nd what you
want, cut the top off so the trunk is
two-thirds the nal desired height.
Make a at cut straight across with
a sharp saw and seal
immediately. This is
very important. I use
an exterior white glue.
Dig the hornbeam
cutting the roots extra
long. As soon as the
hornbeam is out of the
ground use a sharp saw
to cut the roots back.
The nal length of the
roots should be two
thirds the width of the
pot it would be placed in for show.
Make the root pad as shallow
as possible by removing any
downward growing roots. Seal the
roots immediately with the same
glue. Place the collected hornbeam
in a heavy plastic bag and seal the
bag with a tie. Preventing moisture
loss is critical at this stage. Pot

The following is a long article. It


is a compendium of many articles,
papers, and experience with
buttonwoods. (References at the
end of article.) All that material
was folded together and organized
to be used in the care and growing
of this species. I cannot give
anyone credit because I may have
messed it up. I cannot take credit
because little of it is
my material. Many
people ask about
the buttonwoods, and there doesnt
seem to be a single paper with all
these parts included. Since very
few people have all the issues of
Florida Bonsai that are referenced,
it will now be retrievable from this
issue on the Internet. My reference
for this article is
South Florida.
I have found
through years
of experience,
everything included
here is valid. So here it
is, read with care and
use common sense. Note
the front cover, that is the

8/8

the tree quickly.


Any lag in time
decreases the chance
of success. Treat the
hornbeam as a large
cutting. Use equal
parts of pine bark,
vermiculite, perlite
and sand. This
mixture drains well
and the small pore
space allows the ne
emerging hair roots to stay moist
and grow.
Pot the hornbeam leaving
only the top one third of the root
exposed. After the hornbeam is
tied into the pot cover the roots
completely with sifted pine bark
1
/8 to in size. Only the trunk

See HORNBEAM page 10/9 >


Feb 2005

Return to Contents

Florida Bonsai

kind of locality they grow in, and a


lot worse. These buttonwoods are
exposed to tidal seawater, extreme
sun, and most of the hurricanes
that enter the Gulf of Mexico.

The species:
Buttonwood is
known to grow 50-60
feet high, absolutely straight up. It
didnt get the name Conocarpus
erectus by growing the way we
know them from the keys. In the
estuarine areas of the Florida Keys,
where they are found gnarled,
twisted,
and
dwarfed,
they are
only
two to
ten
feet
high, often much less. Consider

See BUTTONWOOD page 14/11 >

9/8

>HORNBEAM from page 8/8

growing season the top 1/3 of


the roots can be exposed by
slowly removing the pine bark.
Place the potted hornbeam in a
location that is out of the wind
but receives good sun. Turn
often to wake up the dormant
buds on all sides. Keep your
hornbeam moist and frost free.
When the growth emerges the
only caution is to not allow
the new branch growth near
the root line to lengthen. If
new growth near the root base
strengthens it will become
dominant causing the new
branches along the rest of the
trunk to weaken and die. Use
a solid pure organic fertilizer

become a mature
bonsai specimen:
collecting,
structuring,
developing,
rening.
Collecting is
moving the tree
from nature to a
growing container.
Structuring is
making the rst
severe cuts to obtain
a trunk line.

Hard styling is the


session when you
remove any extra
branches, multiple
Developing is
apex growth, selecting
selecting the apex and branches then the best branch and the best apex.
allowing them to thicken correctly
Wire the selected branches and
apex into their correct position.
The ultimate renement is a
process of growing and shaping
ner elements after the hard styling
session. Hornbeam can be styled
in many forms. The upright styles
conform to the way a hornbeam
wants to grow. Difculty starts
with slanting styles and increases
down to cascades. They can be
accomplished but they will require
much more attention to all aspects
of care.

of the hornbeam should be seen


coming out of the container. This
will promote new root growth on
the existing roots. Hornbeam roots
are prone to drying and will dieback if exposed. After the second

around the rst of May


or a controlled release
fertilizer when the rst
growth becomes woody.
Careful collecting,
potting and aftercare
should give you an 80
percent success rate.
Material collected
from the wild goes
through four stages to

10/9

Feb 2005

Return to Contents

Conceptual styling
is the rst session.
Your rst cuts are
based on what you
think the material can
become. After enough
growth has emerged
and continues to grow
and stays healthy the
second styling session
is due.

for their location on the trunk.


Rening is the last and life long
process of maintaining the selected
style. This same material undergoes
at least two styling processes.
Florida Bonsai

Hornbeam grow best in a soil


mix that drains well but stays
moist. Moisture is critical. You
must seal cuts with a good exible
bonsai type sealer. I dont use cut
paste as it can trap moisture under
the sealer causing wood rot. Large
See HORNBEAM page 12/10 >

11/9

> HORNBEAM from page 11/9

cuts heal very slowly, small cuts


heal in a season or two. Any dead
wood in contact with the ground
will rot quickly. Mature
growth on hornbeam is
brittle. Hornbeam will
usually abort damaged
branches. If you wire
carefully during the
growing season a cracked

problems. Hornbeam (Carpinus


caroliniana) could be the best
deciduous material in America for

Large/small Bonsai
Nursery Stock
Pre-bonsai
Stands
Tools
Pots
Soil
Wire

the creation of bonsai.


Collecting makes the cost
most attractivefree.

branch might repair and not abort.


Always wire with the correct size
wire and wire with some growth
space between the wire and the
wood. Always allow new growth
to mature to the woody stage
before you trim. This is critical for
back-budding in the spring. If you
prune when the wood is soft the
back budding will be spotty.

Joe has many


hornbeams to choose
from-with many opportunities
for styling. He has loads of other
species as well, but this one is
about hornbeams.
You can contact Joe Day at
ACBSBONSAI@ AOL.COM if
you have any questions about your
hornbeam bonsai.

Insect problems are few, usually


limited to chewing insects that
can be eliminated with any mild
insecticide. Daconil fungicide
used at the correct rate during the
summer will prevent any fungus

12/10

Call for information. 561/746-5074


Wholesale to the trade.
Retail, Demos, and Workshops, for
Bonsai Clubs, by appointment only.

Visit our web site:


http://jupiterbonsai.com
On the web based color issue, you can click the
web site for direct access.
Feb 2005

Return to Contents

Florida Bonsai

J
U
P
I
T
E
R
B
O
N
S
A
I
13/10

> BUTTONWOOD from page 9/8

how many hurricanes, cloudless


skies of burning sun and salt
water baths a 50 to 500 year old
buttonwood experiences growing
in the keys. Large birds perch on
the branches ripping off the bark
with their claws.
These trees often grow in two
to four inches of soil on a porous
lime rock surrounded by seawater.
This environment causes these
trees to have very shallow root
systems and the exposed wood
that make buttonwoods so highly
prized as bonsai subjects with
breathtaking movement and
weathered wood.

Styling:

Lime-sulfur applied to the exposed


wood preserves and bleaches it. If
you dont like it white, darken it
with stains or India ink.

When carving driftwood,


follow the grain-line of the
wood. Carving should go slowly
mistakes can happen quickly.

of the leaf. When the leaves are


replaced, the new foliage will be
smaller. As new leaves develop let
them grow out to about ve pairs

Regardless, the uniqueness of


buttonwoods comes from the wood
and movement not the leaves. The
leaves, often three or so inches long,
can be easily dwarfed with proper
rigorous pruning.

Pots should be unglazed


and earthen to emphasize and
compliment the above features.

To get this . . .

A variety of angles and spaces


must be provided in the design to
keep the eye interested in the shape
and give it perspective. Planes
and at areas are
very important, but
equally important
are blank spaces
that reveal
portions of
the trunk and
branches.
Curves in
the line of
the tree add
character.

Buttonwood
styles should
emphasize the
driftwood-like
exposed trunk
You wont
and branches.
These ancient
nd a juniper or pine
The green foliage
and gnarled
with better potential
should not compete
trees appear
with or obstruct the driftwood.
to barely cling to life, and should
Before pruning or carving, let
not simply exhibit a full crown of
your imagination look for shapes
foliage.
of animals or birds, human
Carving the exposed dead wood
movement such as dancing, or lines
into more rugged or wind-blown
of calligraphy and abstraction.
shapes will add interest to the
appearance of trunks and branches. Watch for the implied direction
of movement of the trunk and
Rugged and wind-blown shapes
branches. Keep the ow/movement
can be dramatic and natural at the
congruent, allow the eye to follow
same timethis is the way this
the direction of the tree.
species grows in the wild.

14/11

Feb 2005

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Once you experience the way


buttonwoods respond to bonsai
styling, you will want more. Good
skills and perseverance will reward
you with a magnicent bonsai that
is hard to match anywhere.
of leaves, then cut off the three end
leaves including the apex.
Pruning:
To develop more tightly packed
leaves cut them severely. Cutting
the petiole half way between the
branch and the leaf is the most
effective method. This demands
a new leaf to replace it, causing
abscission of the remaining petiole

Florida Bonsai

Never leave the apex on, unless


you want the branch to get longer
and fatter before developing
secondary branches. The apex
growth encourages longer internodes
and less leaves or secondary
branches.
It should be noted that with few
exceptions the leaves closest to the
preceding branch are smaller than at
the end of the branch. Saving these
small leaves while
encouraging new small
leaves will shorten
development time and
improve the product.

Cut here
like this . . .

stump. Leaving
a portion of
the petiole on
is important
because it
protects the
itinerant leaf
bud at the base

Unless the tree is weak, never


leave a portion of the leaves on
cutting off only a portion. It slows
down new leaf production, and looks
terrible. These shortened leaves will
not abscise and fall off.

NOT this . . .

Another important
factor in the design of
buttonwoods is the

See BUTTONWOOD page 16/12 >

15/11

> BUTTONWOOD from page 15/11 it will have reached a density of

length, intervals and thickness of


branches. Shorter stubby branches
denote a tree of great age.
Determine the purpose for the
pruning; to shape the tree, for
branch growth, leaf reduction or
foliage production. Remember
apical dominance will abscise the
lower leaves, and the heavy top
foliage growth will shade lower
leaves and they will die.
Choose the proper leaf to locate
the branch cut. For a downward
directed branch cut to a downward
growing leaf. The same for upward
or side growth. The next branch
comes out of the branch at the leaf
you left onand in that direction.
To prune for leaf size reduction,
constantly cut back to a single
leaf or two after allowing a twig
to grow to ve sets or so. Always
prune all branches. Any branches
left uncut will divert energy
from the rest of the tree, thereby
growing faster at the expense of
the pruned branches.
To prune for thicker and more
tapered branches, cut all the leaves
off and leave the apex on.
Pruning must be done
continuously. Dont let the tree go
for more than a few days between
these sessions. Not only must it
be done often, but it must also be
done over a few years! You will
see the marked results in a few
short months. In two to three years

16/12

branches that is quite impressive.


All of the above must be
performed within the framework
of your artistic goal with the tree.
Sketches are essential in this. This
is not to say that a change may not
occur in your original conception,
but sticking to a goal will minimize
wasted energy on your part as well
as your trees.

Wiring:
Frequent wiring will be required.
Wire with care using rafa and
many wraps of wire on large
branches. The branches are brittle
and breakage is commonbut not
always catastrophic. Cracks or
splits can be repaired with glue
or wired together until healed.
Buttonwoods grow very rapidly and
wire may scar the branches in a few
weeks. Never unwind the wire. You
risk breaking a branch if you do.
Always cut the wire off.
Copper wire has possible toxic
effects on buttonwoods, especially
if it cuts into the bark when left on
too long. (An old cracker trick for
killing trees was using copper nails
driven into the trunk.)

Soil Types
Many people use organic soils
with perlite. However, soil-less
mixes are becoming more popular.
A soil-less mix has inorganic
components with some pine
bark. Common soils have mostly
Feb 2005

Return to Contents

organic materials plus materials


that hold water such as perlite.
The choice of one or the other
should be made according to your
watering capabilities. The better
draining soils are bestproviding
you are vigilant and keep the tree
well watered. Soil-less mixes dry
out faster. The addition of water
holding materials, such as perlite
or volcanic rock, can improve this
shortcoming. Be sure the ne roots
never completely dry out.
In their natural environment,
at low tide, buttonwoods are
thoroughly drained due to the
porous structure of the soil, (lime
rock and sand). Thus the soilless mixture is ideal for
Buttonwood.
The use of lime bearing
materials like coquina
shell provides a soil
similar to the natural
environment.
Substitute materials
are commercial
oyster shell,
lime rock chips,
dolomite or any mild form of
calcium carbonate, such as used for
commercial chicken grit.
Like all soil materials, you must
remove the ne materials and dust.
These ne particles in the soil create
a sticky slimy mud that destroys the
ability of the soil to drain. Good
drainage is critical to the health of
any bonsai.
Florida Bonsai

Once established, buttonwood


care and maintenance are generally
easy. They must have full sun.

Potting & Repotting:


Keep in mind, buttonwood
collectors learned that retrieving
substantial portions of the root
system wasnt necessary. Large
trunks and branches will sprout
roots by placing them in a bucket
of water in full sun. Somewhere
between a few weeks and many
months new roots will emerge.
Even branches broken or cut off
and dying trees can
be revived this
way. Eventually,
there will be
enough roots
to plant in
soil. A word
of caution:
the roots are
extremely fragile.
Repotting time
is decision time for
buttonwood since severe
top pruning and root pruning
should be done together, but
not simultaneously. Begin with
fertilizing one to two weeks prior
to repotting in order to fortify the
tree for the rigors of the repotting.
At the same time prune and wire
the tree. Reduced foliage will
demand less from the pruned
reduced root mass. To prepare your
buttonwood for repotting do all the
carving, wiring, painting, and

See BUTTONWOOD page 18/13 >

17/12

> BUTTONWOOD from page 17/12 old or pot-bound trees, leaving

scrubbing while the tree is rmly


in place in its old soil. Never do
all this when it is vulnerable in the
new pot with new soil and roots
that have not recovered. Let the
tree recover. John Naka often
commented, One insult at a time.
Then pot or repot before there
is signicant development of the
new leaves. This is a good practice
for all bonsai of any species.
Buttonwoods are tough and
you can get away with breaking
this rule. But think about the
interdependence of the roots on the
leavesespecially the apex, and the
leaves on the roots. You can break
these rules if you feel lucky and
the tree isnt worth much.
Repotting must be performed if
the tree is extremely root bound, or
the drainage is inhibited.
Only pot buttonwoods during
the warmest months. The night
temperature must be at least 70
degrees F.
Remove the tree from its pot
and trim the roots. If the roots
are robust, reduce the root-ball
by 1/2, removing large roots plus
some root mass immediately
under the trunk. Feather cut the
root-ball mass so that the terminal
edges of the roots extend outward
horizontally in a graduated plane
going from shorter surface roots
to longer bottom roots. Cut out
three wedges of root mass on

18/13

empty growing space for future


roots inside the perimeter of the
container. Remove the old soil from
root tips so that new fresh soil will
be available to them. If bare-rooting
should be necessary a forceful spray
from a garden hose can be efcient
if applied carefully so as to not
damage the tender roots. When the
root ball is massive or dense, create
several holes in the root mass near
the trunk to funnel and chop-stick
the soil into the area directly under
the trunk. This is a good way to
get soil into a hard to get at critical
area of roots. Likewise, if you
can, turn the tree upside down and
gently massage wet soil into the
root system before placing it on the
mounded soil in the pot.

the wire at the trunk. A heavy wire


girdle with a loop for each tiedown wire seems to work best.
Gently use your hand to tuck soil
under the roots to assure lling
voids under the trunk before and
after placing the tie downs. Chopstick the soil into the root mass.
Feel for soft spots with your ngers.
Prepare a repotting solution of
1/4 teaspoon Superthrive and one
tablespoon of liquid seaweed (North
American Kelp) to one gallon of

exposed roots damp.


Many experts suggest the entire
rooting/potting process be done
using Superthrive to soak the roots,
enhance the potting activities, and
to spray the tree as it emerges from
intensive care. I have never known
of a case of injuring a tree doing
this. I have seen many articles by
equally knowledgeable people
stating that tests prove Superthrive
has no redeeming value. I am not
familiar with the use of seaweed.
When I have the chance I use some

The root ball often is a solid


mass of ne roots and repotting
could leave you with very little root
system left on the tree. Separating
old soil from the roots will cost you
a large part of the roots system due
to the extreme brittleness of the
roots.
The tree must be tied into the
container with four or more tiedown wires. Make sure that there
is no movement of the trunk and
roots. Tie-down wires should not
be secured by tying to the root-ball
mass. Instead, the wires should
be attached to the trunk and to the
container in at least four places. The
trunk can be protected from wire
damage by having padding under
Feb 2005

Return to Contents

water. Make enough solution to


immerse the potted tree into the
solution to the lip of the pot after
completing the potting. Provide for
spraying to keep the foliage and
Florida Bonsai

of these potionswhat can it hurt.


Besides it stinks, so it must do
something good.
Similar arguments come up

See BUTTONWOOD page 20/14 >

19/13

> BUTTONWOOD from page 19/13

about using root hormones.


Some of the misunderstanding
comes from expecting the root
hormones to enhance the ne
roots, which it does not. Root
hormones encourage adventitious
cells to convert to root cells and
start new roots on the
main roots or trunk.
Dont expect it to
grow roots on the
proverbial billiard
ball.

When the tree has recovered a


general liquid or granular fertilizer
should be applied.

Cold Weather:
In the winter buttonwoods go
dormant so discontinue fertilizing
and protect them if the temperature
drops below
45 degrees F.

Upon repotting
the new root growth
stimulated will create
a corresponding ush of new
leaf growth and these leaves will
be much larger in size than the
previous ones.

If a
buttonwood
gets too
400
Yrs Old cold, bring
it indoors
and water
it with very
warm water. Discontinue watering
when the water coming out from the
drainage hole of the container feels
warm to the touch instead of cold.

Do not disturb the roots until the


new buds appear. Use abundant
caution, a full crown of foliage
does not always mean there is an
extensive root system.

Some people are able to harden off


buttonwoods to accept 40 degrees as
a cut off point. It is found that leaves
maintain a nicer color if 50 degrees
is observed as a limit.

Set the tree in a bright shaded


location and water several times
a day. Nothing works better than
placing the tree in a mist watering
system. Five to ten seconds every
half hour or so works miracles on
root development. In late spring it
is not uncommon to see new roots
grow an inch long in less than 14
days. When new leaves begin to
appear, gradually move the tree
into morning sunlight and nally
into full sun.

Most buttonwoods look terrible in


South Florida when the nights are
short and the temperature drops into
the 40s, and they do not recover until
the nights stay above 60 degrees in
late February or early March.

20/14

Watering:
Heavy watering in the early
morning works best because the
tree can consume the water during
the day. This method accomplishes
four things; one, provides water all
day to the leaves to make food; two,
Feb 2005

Return to Contents

keeps the ne root tips moist to


scale, it depends on what kind it is.
keep them alive; three, ushes out
SAFER makes insecticidal soaps
gases and materials that starve the
that control most scale. Try one of
roots and kill the good bacteria;
these rst so you dont have to resort
and four, sucks in oxygen for those to the heavy-duty stuff. Do it once
good bacteria in
a week for about
Buttonwoods grow in
the soil. On windy
two months to
some
TOUGH
real
estate!
sunny days when the
make sure that
humidity gets low
you get them all.
a buttonwood can
Some insects
require watering two
can be treated
to three times a day.
with alcohol on a
cotton swab.
Fertilizer
Various
During the
forms of mold
growing season
often cover the
fertilize with liquid
branches and
fertilizer at least
trunk, a result of
monthly. Using half
so much watering.
strength fertilizer
This is a subtle
every two weeks
but signicant
is more effective
detriment
because the tree gets
to healthy
a more uniform application and it
buttonwoods. A good practice is
does not go from feast to famine.
brushing with a stiff brush followed
by a hose jet to blast these materials
Use a high nitrogen fertilizer for
off. Periodic mild soap spraying will
fast leaf growth (i.e., Rapid Grow
deter mold from forming.
23-19-17).
Likewise it is good to have a
good slow release fertilizer with
the minor elements available at
the same time (i.e., Dynamite or
Osmacote.)

Insects:
Very few pests attack
buttonwoods, but occasionally a
beetle or worm attacks the leaves.
Sevin is the answer to treating
insects on buttonwood. If you have
Florida Bonsai

Finally, NEVER use Malathion


or Diazinon. The leaves will fall
off within 7 days. On this I am an
expert! If you make such a mistake
ush the buttonwood with water for
an extremely long time. Then ush it
a couple times a day for the next two
weeks. Take the word of one who
did just that. You most likely will
still lose the leaves, but be patient
and keep ushing. I got lucky.

See BUTTONWOOD page 22/15 >

21/14

> BUTTONWOOD from page 21/14 the cuttings, replace the top of the

bottle and set in a dish of water for


a few minutes. The plastic bottle
maintains high humidity and the
cuttings should root in a few weeks.
All of these actions should be taken
during the hot months of the year.
Remember, when you want to cut
off that awesome beloved branch
you can always air-layer it and grow
another buttonwood.

Propagation:
There are two basic means of
propagation used to reproduce
buttonwood: classic air layers and
cuttings.
Air layering is always the best
way to propagate a buttonwood,
and is no different than any other
species.
Cuttings may be rooted in water
or soil. A liter soda bottle makes a
perfect mini greenhouse for them.
Remove the black bottom of the
soda bottle, cut the rounded bottom
from the bottle, place a rooting
medium in the black part, place

L
BO

MIA

TROP
I

CA

MI

DO NOT DESPAIR; should your


buttonwood die, use the beautiful
dead trunk and branches for part of
the next bonsai, as a phoenix graft.
(Good article here Phoenix
Graph for some creative person.)

MIAMI

TROPICAL

Call us toll free at 1-800/777-0027


Monday-Saturday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Fax us any time at 305/258-583.

NSAI

We buy Bonsai Tree Collections


and Large Specimens.
Call for details.

Sources of this material:


Conocarpus erectus, Buttonwood,
Mary Madison and
Jean Waldberg, Vol. V; 2:4
(Reprinted XXII; 1)

Buttonwood with scale,


Tom Zane XXVI;3:54

Buttonwood Notes,
Harmon E. Wynne, XVII; 3:7

Buttonwood Banzai,
Dr Reggie Perdue, XXX; 4:11

Buttonwood,
Maggie Beyer, XX; 4:6

A Collection of Articles About


Buttonwood from Florida Bonsai,
Thomas L. Zane, BSF webpage,
www.bonsai-bsf.com

Buttonwood,
Maggie Beyer, XXI; 1:2
Repotting Buttonwoods,
Maggie Beyer, XXI; 2:2
Design Control of Buttonwood,
Maggie Beyer, XXI; 3:2
Buttonwoods beyond belief!,
Kevin Jeffers, XXIV; 4:22

Leaf Reduction,
Luis Fontanills, XXX;2:20

Photos stolen from prior


articles, including but not limited
to Ed Trout, Mary Madison, the
Morikami Museum & new slides
from Mary Miller.

BONSAI

Large Bonsai

Styled Bonsai
Nursery Stock

Call about:
Classes (All Levels)

Pottery

Nursery Stock

Demonstrations
Tours

Tools

Other Stuff

Soil

Workshops
14775 SW 232 ST Miami, Florida 33170

Try our web site http://www.miamitropicalbonsai.com

22/15

Feb 2005

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Florida Bonsai

23/15

Look what taking a simple


bonsai class at the Museum can
do See What Bonsai Means
To Me, in this issue.

Fro m Th e M o r i k a m i
You will
have to wait
until next
issue to see
what Ben Oki does with this
cus. This is a Ben O special.
It is over six feet wide, about
four feet high, and goodness

have demonstrations, displays


and a clinic. So many call the
museum for help with their
dying bonsai. Maybe we can
help them. Likewise for those
who sell materials. It is getting
harder and harder to nd a place
to send them to get soil, wire,
pots, and even trees.

Finally, we got approval for

The Morikami sponsored


a bonsai cruise in November.
Twenty-four green island
cus were taken aboard the
Crystal Serenity cruise ship.

only knows
what is in that
pile of Green
Island Ficus.
The program is
scheduled for Jan
9, 2005. Check the next issue
for the results.
Be sure to attend the Hatsume
Fair, Feb 27 & 28. The
museum is really opening up
to our programs. They are
providing a large tent for us to
24/16

the introductory
wall (FB Aug
2004) at the
entrance of the
exhibit.
After a 45 minute
presentation,
passengers drew
names for 23
passengers to take a bonsai
course given by your editor/
Morikami bonsai curator.
As you can see from the
smiles on the faces of some of
these passengers, we have about
30 new bonsai converts. The
Feb 2005

Return to Contents

extra numbers are for


the cruise ofcers who asked
for the left oversthey too were
taken by our Florida bonsai.
They had fun, I had fun. It
was a great cruise.
We need to keep our eyes and
ears open, anywhere we can
educate and promote bonsai
BSF members should be there.
Florida Bonsai

Hopefully,
we can have it
well on the way
by Fair time. This is where
we will put the Jim Moody
honorary bonsai to which so
many donated.
To those who havent heard,
our mentor and supporter from
the beginning (1978), Larry
Rosensweig, left the Museum.
More news when it comes up.
25/16

> WBMTM from page 7/7

took that tree to our bonsai club


for help. Thank you club members
for always opening your hearts
and making time to nurture each
new bonsai enthusiast, regardless
of their numerous and inartistic
questions.

which no two sides or angles are


equal, is prominent in much of the
Oriental art and philosophy and
is often equated to Heaven, and
Man and Earth. Bonsai, I learned,
is an unbalanced, asymmetrical
design. Isnt that just about how I
felt! I could work with my plants,
trees, and owers, with help, but
in a new light. I scheduled my
chemo appointments and doctor
visits around
my classes. For
my birthday I
asked for a set
of bonsai tools.
I invested
in pots, prebonsai plants,
soil and wire.
Wiring was a
challenge as
was the ability
to use some of the tools. There
were many limitations with my
arms, as I had bilateral surgeries,
lymph node dissections which
resulted in pain and swelling in the
arms and chest.

year to be re-potting junipers. I put


that little tree in the intensive care
ward at home. It was my rst, and
only evergreen bonsai. Just as I was
struggling I knew I could keep that
little tree alive. I am happy to say;
today it is wellalive and growing.
Bonsai gave me a focus other than
my cancer and pain. A whole new
world opened up to me. Now, I look
at every tree and plant in a whole
new light.
One of
my fondest
memories
was the day
I stopped by
Jupiter Bonsai.
Carolyn and
Allen always
made me
feel welcome
and special,
regardless of how busy they
were. Much to my surprise there
was a workshop in progress with
many great bonsai masters. I was
searching for some lime-sulfur and a
dish to do some raft planting.

Last July, Jim and I had a bonsai


enthusiasts
maybe just a
horticulturists
dream come
true, we
traveled to
Costa Rica for
two weeks.
This trip offered by the Mounts
Botanical Gardens was advertised
in a brochure on the back table
at bonsai club meeting. (Bonsai
clubs are full of information.) The
planned tour was cancelled, so Jim
and I made our own adventure.
It was two weeks of botanical
paradise. One of my greatest
pleasures was seeing some of my
little bonsai trees, growing to full
height, 60 ft., with families of
howler monkeys swinging from the
branches.

During those classes I learned


enough to be very inquisitive and
attempted to save many a prebonsai planting. A friend gave me
an Albertsons special; a little
juniper that was destined for sure
death. I remember Vlad helping me
re-pot the little guy. He told me it
would probably not survive, it was
nearly dead and the wrong time of

I still need that lime sulphur by


the way! Ben Oki was there and
he offered to style my tree. I was
almost speechless, and then he
even made a pencil drawing of it!
It is one of my most prized bonsai
possessions. The tree is still living,
I am happy to report, but it has
outgrown its wiring and I had to
remove it. Just this last month I

Each month Jim and I attend


the Bonsai Society of the Palm
Beaches meetings together. It
is such a joy to be among such
genuine people. I have been able
to accumulate some good bonsai
material as well. There are many
events; and each event I am able
to attend has been a gift. I attend a
monthly breast support meeting at

26/17

Feb 2005

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Florida Bonsai

Jupiter Medical Center and I have


shared my secret cancer therapy,
bonsai. Did you know that
Jupiter Bonsai generously donated
a beautiful fukien tea bonsai for
the fund-raising tea we had last
year for our support group? My
mother purchased the tree, only to
make me
the proud
owner.
The event
raised over
$17,000
for breast
cancer to
be used right here in Jupiter at the
Cancer Center.
I do not know that I will ever
be a great bonsai master, but I
continue to nurture my little trees.
I still believe that working on my
little trees and sometimes just
talking to them is the best therapy
on this Earth. I am sure Heaven is
full of many beautiful bonsai trees
and many great masters.
Heaven

Man
Earth
I look forward to whatever I can
learn, for only God knows the
form my lifes scalene triangle will
take.
Lisa Batz
November 2004

27/17

T H E TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY
O F BONSAI BEHIND BARS

by Edna Hindson, Jean Smith, &


Harold Harvey

BY T HE
BO NSAI SOCIE TIES
OF F LOR I D A
In January 1984 some folks,
unaware of what others were
thinking of, met and were
to produce one of the most
meaningful meetings that has been
a part of bonsai in Florida. The
meeting was covered in FLORIDA
BONSAI, XIV-1, by Edna
Hindson, a founding member of
Taki Bonsai Society of Lake City.
The members of Taki
had made a visit in 1983 to
the Horticulture Division
of the Union Correctional
Institution in Raiford,
Florida. In touring the
Greenhouses (12) they
discovered there was one
that was devoted entirely to
the training of Bonsai. The
other eleven greenhouses grow all
of the ornamental plants that are
shipped to all of the ofces of the
State of Florida.

guidance of their Supervisor, Mr.


M.B. Jordan had been working on
the bonsai for years. Mr. Jordan
had encouraged the bonsai efforts
of the men. He felt that he could
help them to better their knowledge
of Gods creation and they would
be better able to return to society
and be a better person. Statistics
show that prisons that have
Horticultural Divisions have ZERO
RECIDIVISM in prisoners paroled
from that section. What does that
say for horticulture and BONSAI?!
Taki Bonsai Society began to
think of a way to make a link with
the prison and the local bonsai
group. As luck would have it, the
Speakers Bureau of BSF, which
Jean Smith chaired, had an open
day in the vicinity of the prison

Take A Walk Through

BONSAI
With

Jim Smith

Study a Great
Collection

Learn From
the Master
In person or on
Video tape
To order,
Call 860-464-0312

The Dura-Stone Co.

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VHS $24
DVD $30

Enthusiast.

Bonsai to the trade.


Tours and Demos

Have
it
Your
way

by Reservations only.
during the Ben Oki tour. Jean called
Ben and asked him, How would
you like to go to prison?
After an explanation he was very
enthusiastic! The BSF

Some of the inmates under the


See BARS page 30/19 > Feb 2005
28/18

Return to Contents

Call: 772/562-5291
See our web site:
http://jimsmithbonsai.com
Florida Bonsai

ENJOY
29/18

> BARS from page 28/18

Board agreed, and Edna got the


prison permission. We might add
everything has fallen into place for
Ben Oki and the U.C.I. BONSAI
CLUB for 20 years!! The prisoners

takes him south to Orlando and to


his next club date. Duane Clayburn,
the founder of the Tallahassee club
was another great helper until he
moved to North Carolina.
In the beginning they had no real
bonsai pots, or wire or tools
and only a small amount of
literature.
They went to the tin shop
to make the containers. Many
bonsai people have since
donated these materials. As you
can imagine the prisoners really
do appreciate it!
In 1991 the men in the UCI

say it is their very BEST DAY!


The rst year Ben accepted a
check for his workshop fee, but
for the next 19 years he has not
accepted ANY money!! Any Bonsai
Master would be delighted with
the rapt attention that the men
at U.C.I. display when a teacher
comes. Bens prison workshop is
usually 9 to 5 with 30 minutes out
for lunch. Every visit usually starts
with a demonstration or slides
followed by a long workshop with
every man a hands-on participant
(about 20). The Speakers Bureau
was never charged for Bens
transportation to the prison. Clubs
along his route, usually the Florida
Panhandle, moved him along in
their automobiles from Ft. Walton
to Tallahassee. Harold Harvey and
others meet him at the prison, works
all day and at the end of the day

30/19

The answer was yes. And they were


GREAT!
The prisoners have made a very
attractive bonsai garden right
outside the greenhouses--a carpet
of nice grass, owering bushes,
benches and pedestals for the
bonsai. A good place to judge which
bonsai should go outside to appear
in the annual May Flower Show.
Two prisoners are selected to go
outside during the
Flower Show to
greet the guests
and answer their
questions. One year
the entire May show
was BONSAI!
JUST
REMEMBER
ZERO RECIDIVISM !!!!!
Excerpts from a letter by Mr.
M.B. Jordan:

Bonsai Club were given the task


of digging up a large hedge of
podocarpus that had been in the
hedgerow for 45+ years. We knew
that the World Bonsai Convention
would be coming to Orlando in
1993 and BSF would be hosting
it. Harold Harvey was the General
Chairman and Jean Smith was
Chairman of Workshops and
Demonstrations, so she asked if
we could have trees for a Ben Oki
workshop and a demonstration.
Feb 2005

Return to Contents

Let me express rst my personal


thanks, then the thanks of all our
prison ofcials. Our thanks for
someone making it possible.
Now, more details about the class
Ben conducted! I have 53 years
experience teaching in the eld of
agriculture and never have I enjoyed
a class of some eight full hours of
illustration, demonstrations and the
factual presentation of information
about any subject. I sat under some
pretty good teachers at various
times at the University of Florida
and the Louisiana State University
while pursuing my college training
Florida Bonsai

and then in many seminars, short


courses and special subject classes.
Never have I experienced listening
to such an excellent master teacher.
There were some 15 prison
inmates listening and watching
Ben Oki and Im sure that he and
the three ne lady ofcers of the
Lake City Bonsai Club will agree
that these men, of many walks of
life, many degrees of education
levels, and
of several
nationalities,
with only
one thing in
commonthey
had all been
convicted
of a felony
and all were
incarcerated for a variety of
numbers of years from three to a
lifetime, enjoyed the presentation.
Another thing they had in
commonthey were all attempting
to better their knowledge about
Gods great creation, thereby being
better able to go back into society a
better person than when they came
to prison.
Only a few inmates have a
sincere desire to accomplish
these kinds of goals and its our
responsibility to seek out every
opportunity we can to accomplish
such. This day was indeed a day
we all appreciated and a day that
will long be remembered.
See BARS page 32/20 >

31/19

> BARS from page 31/19

To most
inmates,
the days in
prison are
long and
dreary, but
all the men
who were
listening to
Ben Oki said the time went too
fast. As one expressed it, This was
my best day in prison.
So, since I do not know how to
get a Thank You to Ben Oki, Im
hoping that he will be given a copy
of our Thank You.
Gratefully Yours,
M.B. Jordan, Supervisor
Ornamental Horticulture Union
Correctional Institution. Raiford,
Florida 32083
The following was published in
FLORIDA BONSAI Vol XIV, No.
1, Winter 1984, by Edna Hindson
So it was that, on January 10,
1984, Ben Oki was given a tour
of the numerous greenhouses at
U.C.I., one of which was devoted
entirely to Bonsai. Here he saw
the great variety of plant material,
the numerous styles employed,
and the inmate-made containers
being used. Ben selected a number
of Bonsai to take to the education
building, where he critiqued
and then made renements on
them. This was followed by a

32/20

slide presentation
of his own Bonsai
collection, which
was punctuated by
appreciative oohs
and aahs from the
audience. The nal
part of the program
was his creation of a
three-tree Bonsai.
No audience was ever more
attentive, and none more
appreciative, and Ben seemed to
sense that this was a very special
occasion for everyone in the room,
inside these walls. He rose to
the occasion magnicently, and
produced a presentation which
lasted over eight hours, and which
was truly memorable.
We believe this event could be
a historic and important rst.
Perhaps other groups will see the
need to give support to prisons,
monasteries, senior citizens
homes, or such which share our
interest in Bonsai.
Our thanks are due to Jean Smith
and the Trustees for their support,
and to the authorities of U.C.I., and
certain of the inmates, for making
the project possible. Special thanks
are due to Ada Blodgett, our local
president, for her diligence. Above
all, we are grateful to Ben Oki
himself for his outstanding work
before an audience which, perhaps,
has a deeper understanding of the
bonsai philosophy than any of us.
Feb 2005

Return to Contents

And . . .
After
meeting the
Superintendent
and the
Programs
Director, we,
along with a
reporter and photographer from the
Saint Petersburg (FL) Times, were
escorted through security and into
the heart of the institution by the
correctional ofcer who oversees
the bonsai activities. He is also
responsible for the institutions
entire horticulture program and
is not trained in bonsai. At the
horticulture shade and green
houses we were met by 11 inmates
whose job in the institution is to
work in horticulture. Wed brought
several bags of bonsai soil, several
plants, some donated pots and
bonsai training wire. We also
had our bonsai tools which were
counted when we went in, when
we secured them for lunch, and
when we went out.
After introductions and tentative
responses from the inmates, Ben
conducted a demonstration on
renement pruning of junipers.
Some 35 or 40 juniper bonsai
candidates were viewed and Ben
discarded those without bonsai
potential. We then started the
hands on activities. As the inmates
gained more condence in working
Florida Bonsai

with the plants,


conversations began
and before the end of
the day we were being
given the highest
accolade an inmate
gives a supervisor,
Boss. Just before
the noon head count
and lunch break, Ben did another
demonstration.
After lunch we demonstrated
repotting procedures and the
hands on learning began, again
tentatively. And again, as self
condence built, the pace of work
increased, basic instruction was
replaced with advice and consent,
and some 25 junipers were
repotted.
There were a couple of Ooops,
but all without exclamation points;
no real lasting damage was done.
Two instances come to mind. An
inmate was renement pruning
and wiring a tall slanting juniper
bonsai. I gently bent two upper
branches downward and asked
him if he thought it looked more
tree-like that way. He agree. I said,
OK, Ill get some wire. When I
came back hed cut off one of the
branches and was poised to lop off
the second one. Ooops. We worked
around it, but he learned what it
meant to wire rather than cut.
In a second instance two inmates
were working on repotting a
See BARS page 34/21 >

33/20

> BARS from page 33/20

juniper when a third inmate


started giving them suggestions.
One of the pair working on the
tree became perturbed and told
the third inmate that if he knew
so much, he could do it and he
stalked off. The third inmate took
that mans place working with
the tree. I immediately went to
the upset inmate and pointed at
the table with 8 or 9 junipers and
asked him if he wouldnt like to do
one by himself and if so, take his
pick. His face lit up and he made
a beeline for one of the trees and,
on his own, did an excellent job of
root pruning and repotting not only
that one, but several others.

Finally:
What did we accomplish? First,
we did not create conrmed bonsai
practitioners, nor did we create any
new, instant bonsai masterpieces.
The inmates did learn about an art
form and some very basic tenants
of artistic design. They worked in
cooperation with each other, and
with people from outside who
asked no questions but who simply
accepted them as individuals. We
were there to do bonsai, and we
did. They were able to be creative
and they created and they could see
the results of their creative efforts.
Their oops were gently corrected
and accomplishments were praised.
It was a very positive experience
for all concerned.

34/21

Have we ever done it without him?


Just a few times. They have a
great rapport with Ben.
What would you recommend we do?
MORE !
Like what?
We should augment the program
by doing more on our own. Use
our own Florida experts.
Frequently Asked Questions:
When did we start?
1984
When do we go?
On the Ben Oki tour in January.
How did the idea come up?
Mr. M.B Jordan, the Horticulture
Supervisor at the Prison
Did they jump on the idea?
If you mean at the prison, Yes.
Have there been skeptics?
Of course, arent there always?
Any nay-sayers
One or two.
Was there ever a time when you
thought you were wasting your time?
NO!
Did you ever think it was dangerous?
It was considered... but it never has
been.
Any scary moments?
Never!!

What kind of trees do they have?


All kinds....they grow them on
the property.
How many prisoners have
participated?
Figures not available. We always
have 20 to 30 in session.
What about sharp tools ?
They have ones donated by
interested Bonsai Members.
They are collected at lunch time,
locked up, returned after lunch
and collected at the end of the
day.
What surprised you about the
prisoners?
How clean and personable the
men were.
They were all pleasant and
relaxed.....like all folks working
together on bonsai. We feel that
the rehab helps ALL involved.
What happened to the Taki Club?

Has Ben been the only person to go


there?
The only Bonsai MASTER, yes.
Feb 2005

Return to Contents

disband for numerous reasons. Too


bad! I am now a member of the
Gainesville Club since I moved to
Oak Hammock here at the UF. One
of the positive activities of Taki
was starting the Prison Mission
project. What a joy it was for me
to go back for a visit this year with
Jean and Ed Smith and Harold
Harvey. You know, I recognized
some of the same trees (and even
the pots!) Sometimes we wonder if

Yes, there was a bonsai club


named Taki (i.e. water fall, for the
beautiful real one in the Lake City
area.) We met for over 10 years
and then as many clubs do, had to
Florida Bonsai

we have done any lasting positive


things in our lives. I feel we did
with this project; thanks to BSF
and people who organized it such
as Jean Smith, Duane Clayburn,
Harold Harvey, Jeri White, Lisa
Gale, Ada Blodgett, and others.
With a special thanks to Ben Oki
for his contributions.
Do you think we can keep it
going?
Some club or group people
need to continue this worthwhile
project.
The ones that do will gain a very
rewarding feeling every time they
go to prison.

35/21

A Youth Workshop
By Gene Callahan
We are adding a youth workshop
to the Convention line up. It will
be a free workshop for youngsters
between the ages of eight and
fourteen. Of course, if there is
a mature seven year old who is
capable of using the tools they
will be accepted with the parents
permission.
Jim Smith, Jim VanLandingham
and Ernie Fernandez will lead
the workshop, and will show the
entrants how to create a bonsai
and how to maintain it. They will
then be able to take their creation
home and use their newly gained
knowledge to keep their bonsai
healthy and start or enlarge their
collection.
Jim Smith will provide the trees
and twelve applicants will be
accepted for the class. Tools are
not mandatory, but if the entrants
have some they are encouraged to
bring them. Only basic tool are
required, i.e. clippers or scissors,
etc. Convention registrants will be
allowed to watch the workshop the
same as all scheduled workshops.
The workshop will take place
Saturday morning (2nd July) from
9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. The rst
twelve applicants will be accepted
for the workshop. This should be a
great opportunity for our youth to
36/22

get started in bonsai or to increase


their existing knowledge.
We should all thank Jim
Smith for his interest in getting
the youth involved in bonsai
and for donating the trees for
the workshop. Also, thanks to
Jim VanLandingham and Ernie
Fernandez for assisting him.
Watch for information regarding
a bonsai scholarship coming soon.
To enter your child send an
Email to bsf2005conv@aol.com or
Dcal104@aol.com.

Bonsai Societies of Florida


2005 CONVENTION

Bonsai Exhibit

by Judy Gore
Convention 2005 Exhibit.
The BSF Convention 2005 is a
cooperative effort of many clubs,
so we would like all of the clubs
to have at least two bonsai trees in
the Exhibit.
Each club can choose the best
it has to offer. This could be a
fun program for a meeting and
you could have your members
vote for their choices. You could
select at your clubs annual show
or you may wish to have some of
your club experts visit various
collections to make their choices.

from each club but please select


at least 3 or 4 so that we can
choose for a variety for the exhibit.
Depending on the size of the trees
we may be able to use more from
your club.
Lets make this years exhibit
more representative of bonsai
throughout Florida, not just a few
people.
The Bonsai Society of SW FL
is chairing the Exhibit Committee
this year and we will be contacting
the Club presidents as well. If you
have any questions or suggestions
about the Exhibit.

We will need at least two trees

Please contact Judy Gore at:


judyagore@aol.com.

Mechanical Coordinators
is now

Bonsai
2005

Meco Bonsai
To relate to bonsai better,
Mechanical Coordinators is now Meco Bonsai.
The great products and customer service youve
come to expect is staying the same, just our name is changing.

Simply
the Best
July 1st 4th, 2005
At The RADISSON HOTEL
Cape Canaveral, FL
Featuring
JERRY MEISLIK
BEN OKI
CHASE ROSADE
&

Were also introducing our brand new website! View all our products and
see whats new. Check out the About the Creator page and see where Roger
has been this year. Dont have your Owners Pin? Email us. Compare Mica
Pot styles to nd the one perfect for your next project.
Visit us at mechanicalcoordinators.com
then click on Meco Bonsai to see whats new
Because quality tools mean quality
bonsai.

MIKE CARTRETT
ERNIE FERNANDEZ
MARY MADISON
JIM SMITH
ED TROUT
JIM VANLANDINGHAM

Feb 2005

Return to Contents

Thats what were about: better bonsai.


Florida Bonsai

Meco Bonsai
37/22

SERIOUS ABOUT BONSAI?

JOIN THE AMERICAN BONSAI SOCIETY NOW


The quarterly ABS Bonsai Journal reects the diverse
personality of bonsai in North America.
Who does what? How is it done?
Where does it happen? When? and more.
Continent-wide Bonsai News
Great articles on keeping your bonsai healthy
Tips and How Tos.
Bonsai Book Sales
Largest selection anywhere.
Discounts for members
Support at Regional Conventions
Work with Local Convention Hosts
NEXT: Washington, DC, May 2630, 2005
Web Site and Members Forum
Greatest source get help about problem solving
Get information receive various solutions to many issues
Ask questions get many suggestions
Find anything about everything
Annual Contests
New Talent Competition ask Rob Kempinski (2002 winner)
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Send check, money order or Visa/Mastercard number to:
The American Bonsai Society
PO Box 351604, Toledo OH 43635-1604
http://www.absbonsai.org

38/23

BSSWF ANNUAL BONSAI SHOW AND SALE by Judy Gore

The Bonsai Society of SW FL


just held its most successful Annual Show and Sale yet, Fri and
Sat. Nov. 12 &13th, 2004.

It was held at our new meeting


place, the St. John the Apostle
Church. The Church let us use
the whole building including the
Sanctuary which made an ideal setting for the Exhibit. Bob Schneider
was in charge of the exhibit and
what a job he did in transforming
the area. The excited comments
as people entered were heard
throughout the room.
And did the people ever enter.
The crowds were many many
times the usual numbers we have
ever had attend. We tried to cover
every area with publicity by using
100 small road side signs put out
by the members, banners in front
of the building all week, post cards
mailed to everyone who has signed
our show guest book for the last
several years, even a crawl
across the bottom of the weather
channel on TV Members handed
out about 600 14 page sized yers.
But the most important were the
nice articles with lots of pictures
in both the Fort Myers and Cape
Coral newspapers and the paid
newspaper ads.
Because we used the Church it
was necessary to have the show
on a Friday and Saturday. To our
amazement the Fridays attendance

Feb 2005

Return to Contents

Florida Bonsai

exceeded any we have ever had.


Ed Trout, Mike Cartrett, Ernie
Fernandez, and Eric Wigert did
great demonstrations and workshops
to standing room only crowds.
Mike and Erik also had vending
booths for us.
The club members tree sales area
was almost completely sold out half
way thru the second day.
BUT the most success came the
following Saturday, Nov 20th at
our regular club meeting when we
had almost 30 new members on the
roll!!! There was a special program
planned just for them, the one where
we have several trees and break
up into groups to work on them.
This makes for a lot of one on one
personal contact so that by the end
of the morning no one feels New
anymore.
We have found it very successful to hold the show a week before
a regular meeting so that they can
come and get involved quickly. All
new members will have a Mentor to
try to keep them involved and help
them keep that rst tree alive.
It is always nice to have a great
show and have lots and lots of
people come to appreciate your
trees ..... but when the club grows
by almost 50% it is even better.
The New member count is now
up to 36.

39/23

THE UNBELIEVABLE ANNUAL


UNOFFICIAL MIAMI BONSAI CONVENTION

exhibit. Not one of these photos


accurately portrays the remarkable quality of the bonsai in this
bonsai exhibit.

by Editor

Convention? It could be a convention if anyone convened.


I have wanted to cover what is
done here for years. This article
is 99% bragging on them, and 1%
complaining. Lets see if anyone
agrees.
WHAT A SHOW! What a
shame! An astonishing
amount of work
unseen and unappreciated by most
of BSF, and those
interested in
bonsai.
Except for
the quantities
of donations,
auctions, and the size
of the rafes, they
have everything.

The educational material, better than anything I have every


seen.

I have seen few exhibits with


better material, or a better setting.

They do all the work of a convention, and get nothing for it.

The bonsai on this page were

They dont even charge registration.


They send out signals about it
coming, but it doesnt
carry the interest of a
convention.

some idea of the extent of the operation, but they are poor quality

No hotel charges
for space.
They are supporting a local
Garden. (The Fairchild Tropical Gardens.)

so awesome, and the settings so


well done, no photo could do
justice to these bonsai.

The following pictures


were collected to give you

A few more of the exhibits are

Great demonstrations.
Superior exhibits.
Enthusiastic Vendors in an outdoor bazaar. (And they say it
cant be done at conventions.)

and barely cover a fraction of


the activities.

The rafes are getting bigger.

Try as I may, the numbers and


quality of the photos are poor
compared to the quality of the

The opportunities for workshops is there.

40/24

Feb 2005

Return to Contents

Florida Bonsai

See MIAMI page 42/25 >

41/24

> MIAMI from page 41/24

One of the show-stoppers for


me was the room with the educashown here
with Mary
critiquing one
of them.
Below is
Mike at one of
the demonstration programs.

are doing in a
very helpful
way.

42/25

There are many


signs, as shown
on the next page,
with various
subjects about
making and keeping bonsai

Another one
of the educational and
informative
programs is shown below with
an expert demonstrating calligraphy with ink, a great way
to make yourself a hanging
to show with your bonsai.

If anything, the demonstrations at this event are very


instructive. They do not assume
knowledgeable people are in the
audience and present what they

There was a set


of trees showing
the progression
of a bonsai from
early nursery can
to nished pot.
tional display using live bonsai
those of us with more humble
means and talent can relate to. The
Miami Club made display boards
of remarkable quality. (I want to

Feb 2005

Return to Contents

borrow these for the Hatsume Fair


at the Morikami in Feb. Gene,
you should get your hands on
this display for the convention
in July.) Not only do they have
super professional storyboards, but
they have live bonsai examples
to match the story on the board.
Plenty of notes and name cards
to explain to the
visitor what is going on, and how
to.

Florida Bonsai

(I know there are bonsai shows


all over Florida. I just cant be
everywhere, and I guarantee, if
you report em. Ill print em.)
See MIAMI page 44/26 >

43/25

> MIAMI from page 43/25

Which reminds me, none of


this just happens.
Lots of planning, lots of preparation and sweat. It takes a real
commitment to do this year after
year.
And they do it so well.

Many people from other


clubs volunteered to help.

Just a sample of the educational


display at the Miami event. This
was a great piece of workwish
you could see the detail better.

44/26

I hope Sue is whistling, and did not


put a staple through her nger.

Feb 2005

Return to Contents

Florida Bonsai

More on page 46/27.

45/26

> MIAMI from page 45/26

The BazaarLoads Of Good Stuff


Like I said, they had it all.
Everyone likes a good place
to get some quality material.

KAWA Bonsai Society

Azalea City Bonsai Society

As usual the Kawa Annual Joy


of Bonsai, held Oct. 15-17 was the
event of the year.

Day of Bonsai
March 12, 2005
St. Lukes Church & School
Mobile, AL

That is where Glenn and Carol


Paretlow jinned up the Torii gate

Gee, I didnt know they


could have a vendors bazaar
out-doors.

Large display of boxwood bonsai


and other varieties. Workshops with
boxwood for large and small bonsai
Kingsville boxwood design contest
For more information:
acbsbonsai@aol.com

Regional Tri-City Bonsai Show

Details on How To in next issue.


With the exhibits, demos and
workshops, this is the northeast
Florida version of the Miami show

April 27, 2005


University Mall
Pensacola, FL
Annual show featuring bonsai from
Mobile, Pensacola & Ft. Walton Bch
For more information:
jjw31@earthlink.com

Tallahassee Bonsai Society


Spring Bonsai Show
LeMoyne Art Education Center
417 E. Call St.
Tallahassee, FL

I am disappointed that this does


not become a regular convention
site. Meetings could be held at
a given hotel, and events at the
Gardenbut that is someone elses
problem
FWIW, Editor

46/27

Feb 2005

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at the Fairchild, or the Tri-Cities


event every April or May in the
panhandle. This small article in
no way is proportional to what has
happened to this annual event that
has grown so dramatically
They too annually have the
whole enchilada, including vendors
and educational programs.
The BONSAI SOCIETIES of the
state of Florida are something else!
Florida Bonsai

Times and dates to be announced


For more information:
http://tallahasseebonsai.org

Bonsai Society of the


Palm Beaches
Morikami Museum, Oshugatsu
Jan 6, 2005
Ben Oki Demonstration
Morikami Museum, Hatsume Fair
Feb 26 27, 2005
Bonsai exhibit, demos and clinic
Morikami Museum

47/27

HEATHCOTE BOTANICAL
GARDENS
and the Treasure Coast Bonsai Society
Located at:
210 Savannah Road
Ft. Pierce
TuesSat: open 9am - 5pm, ;
Thurs: 8:30pm (during the summer)
by Jim Smith
Members from our club maintain
the Japanese garden and furnish
the bonsai in the exhibit. We also have a
special bonsai exhibit
at their annual plant
sale. Our club with the
help of Gloria Moore
has been involved
with the garden from
the very beginning.
This modestly-sized botanical
garden began as a commercial nursery in the 1940s and 50s to support
the practice of landscape
architect of Molly Crimmins. She designed and
installed the Japanese garden in the 1960s. The house
was moved here around the
same time. This is a small
site, 3.5 acres, but there is
a great deal compressed
into the small space. They recently
bought 1.5 more acres for expansion. In addition to the Japanese
and other gardens, there is a bonsai
garden. Our club also maintains the
Japanese garden.
The Japanese Garden demonstrates the simplistic, nature48/28

Scenes around the Gardens

inspired design of an oriental


type garden, where water, rocks
and plants are its main elements.
Throughout the Japanese Garden
you will see the intricate and seasoned forms of our Bonsai collections, ranging from a 25 year-old
Bougainvillea to assorted species of
Ficus of various ages.
Walk
over the
small,
arched
bridge
and up the
stairway for a
different view
of the Japanese Garden and onto a path that
will lead you down into an area that

feels deep, dark and rich with large,


towering bamboos.
You can get info from their Email
address, but the website doesnt
seem to have recovered from the
hurricanes:
info@heathcotebotanicalgardens.org
www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org
Feb 2005

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Florida Bonsai

49/28

Sincerely,

Erik, Kenda, & Albert Wigert


Wigerts Mango Grove & Nursery
Sometimes it takes a tragedy
Without the generator things would
to learn how your friends and
have
been much worse for us and
neighbors can make a bad situation
I
cannot
thank him enough. We
more bearable.
were without water for six days and
On Friday, August 13th we
without electric for eleven days. The
were hit with the full force of
generator enabled us to pump out
Hurricane Charles. The eye, on
of a rain-water cistern to irrigate the
the way to Charlotte County,
plants.
passed directly over the northern
We joked that day about how we
tip of Pine Island where our mango
would be happy to do the same for
grove and nursery is located. We
evacuated at the last minute as the him if ever a hurricane should head
storm was upgraded to a Category his way! Little did we know what
was ahead!
4. The next day we returned to
indescribable devastation. What
As we began to get the repairs to
was once a lush tropical mango
the house and the debris cleaned up
grove and nursery was now a
we received a welcome call. Members
plot of naked twisted stumps and
of the Southwest Florida Bonsai
scattered debris.
Society had decided to come help out
with rebuilding some of the nursery
We spent most of the morning
structures that we lost in the storm.
wondering where to begin. What
takes priority; clearing the drive
to get on our property? Covering
holes in our roof? Or, do we begin
to salvage our nursery?
We had the attitude of many, It
will never hit us! Hurricanes
always go the other way. We
were lucky enough to have the
aid of a good friend that day after
the storm. Allen Carver of Jupiter
Bonsai, left his house early that
morning to bring us supplies - a
much needed generator, fuel, water
and food. He also was able to
stay and help us to clear the storm
debris out of the immediate area
around the house.

50/29

Ernie Fernandez
donated a tree and his
creative abilities to style it
during lunch - a beautiful
root over rock nerifolia
that was then rafed off.
When the president of our
club presented us with the
monies collected we were
very touched. Not only
did they all dedicate their
time and effort but to then
make a nancial donation
it was more than we could imagine.
The whole day made us realize we
dont just belong to a club of like
minded people, we belong to group
of friends that will come together
when needed to help each other.
We know that many of us were

affected in one way or another by


this summers storms. Without the
help of our friends and neighbors
things would have been much
worse for all of us. Surely each of
us have similar stories of people
coming to help in a time of need.
Try to remember them as time
goes on. Hopefully we wont have
another summer like this one for
many years.
But, if we do
we will be
ready for it
- ready to help
others should
they need it
- secure in the
knowledge that
they did the
same for us!
To all
those whose kind words of
encouragement and well wishes
kept us going, as well as those who
sweated and labored alongside of us
at the nursery, we extend a sincere
and heartfelt Thank You! We
could not have done it without you!

Wigerts Mango Grove & Nursery

When they arrived, we were amazed


by how many of our fellow bonsai
enthusiasts turned out to brave the heat
and insects and spend the day helping
us. They rebuilt our mist house and
shade house, and some sheds.
Feb 2005

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Se

e Pg

for
52/30

Erik Wigert
15857 Quail
Trail * Bokeelia, FL * 33922
m
ra239/985-0036
g
o
r
or 239/283-2910
eb. p

our F

By Appointment

Your new South West Florida source for Quality


Pre-Bonsai, Bonsai, Mica Pots, Soil & Tools

Florida Bonsai

51/29

OUTFITTERS FOR
ALL YOUR BONSAI
TREE NEEDS

Bonsai products under roof.


All size trees and pots, with supplies to keep your bonsai healthy.
Convenient from four States! Open 8-2, Mon. - Sat.
Check our MONTHLY DISCOUNT ITEM on our web site.
(Ever seen an Air Layer Kit?)
You can quickly buy anything, and save time and money.
Our web-mart is your link to bonsai.
See the variety of materials displayed retail or wholesale at:
http://www.bonsai-mart.com
http://Bonsai-wholesale.theshoppe.com
Mail to: Allen Roach, Bonsai-Mart
721 N. T Street, Pensacola, Florida 32505

52/30

Email: bonsaimart@isp.com or,


Call 1-850-432-8238
Feb 2005

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A = AUCTION
S = SHOW

Florida Bonsai

S
S
S

Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

May
Jun
Jul
Aug
S

Feb
Mar
Apr
A

A
BONSAI SOCIETIES OF FLORIDA CONVENTION

B O N S A I - M A RT. C O M

Erik, Kenda, and Albert Wigert

Ernie Fernandez - If you get to


see his root and rock work as
well as his carving!
Toby Diaz - A great stylist who
with a little wire can turn any
material into a masterpiece!
Lui Rayon - It is truly a treat to
watch him work with chain
saw or die-grinder.

*Watch 3 demos by:

*Shop the other vendors, there will


be something for everyone:
Tropical plants, orchids, hand
carved wood, jams and jellies,
snacks and more.
*Purchase lunch and beverage and
benet a local charity
*Relax and take a break in the
air-conditioned comfort of our
bonsai classroom.
Let us know if you can make it. We
want to be prepared for you.
You will likely hear from us again!

This is an ALL day free event!

*Win in one of the many rafes to


be held throughout the day!

Jan

Our rst Bonsai at the Grove is


almost here! (See our ad page 51)
We hope to make this a semiannual event.
We will send information to your
local bonsai club.

TRY THIS FOR CLUB EVENTSARE YOU LISTED?

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Wigerts, Feb 5th 9am till 4:30pm

*Browse the only bonsai nursery in


Southwest Florida:
Bonsai, pre-bonsai, collected
material, pots, soil, tools, etc!

Asagao
Azalea
City
Brevard
Browar
d
Buttonw
ood
Central
Florida
Chishik
i-Gawa
Fort Wa
lton Bc
h
Gaines
ville
Gold C
oast
Hama M
atsu
Hukyu
Ichiban
Indian R
iver
Kawa
Laubsc
h
Lightho
use
Marion
Miami
North F
lorida
Pensac
ola
Palm B
eaches
Sho Fu
So
u
t
h
w
e
st Florid
a
Suncoa
st
Tallahas
see
T
r
e
a
s
u
r
e Coas
t

BONSAI AT THE GROVE

51/30

Post Script:
I sincerely hope you enjoyed this issue of Florida
Bonsai.
Obviously, anyone in the world can access this web version of our magazinego ahead tell them about it.
Three things occur to me:
One: It is wonderful if more people learn about
bonsai, and what we are doing in Florida.
Two: Our generous advertisers are presented to the
world.
Three: If you are not a member, please support us
so we can continue to publish it.
Contact Tammy Malin, as noted in the beginning of
the magazine for individual or club membership.
Whether or not you are a member, please support our
advertisers. Buy from them, and tell them thanks for
bringing this publication to you.
Enjoy our magazine, and have fun with your bonsai.
Plan for our next convention, noted herein.
Check out the Convention at the web site:
http://www.bonsaisocietyofbrevard.org/2005/2005.html
Your editor,

Dick Miller

If you are not a member of BSF, and want to subscribe?


Email me: dmiller444@adelphia.net
1. Get early Email notication when new issue available
2. Get hard copy snail mailed in black and white
3. Get all the benets of BSF membership
4. Sleep better knowing you helped

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