The History of Bonsai

The History of Bonsai

The History of Bonsai. This is an in-depth discussion about the History of Bonsai in China 2300 years ago and how this unique art form spread throughout the world. This website offers great detail into Techniques, Tree Species, Inspiration, Courses and a Forum. Also, here is an additional link to the 6th US National Bonsai Exhibition (Click on blue link) with some stunning photographs.

September 2023 Newsletter

September 2023 Newsletter

This Newsletter discusses a special Bonsai artist, Laurent Darrieux, and his visit that is scheduled for Friday, Sep 15, a “Broom Style” discussion by Rick Owens, plans for our October meeting, and the forms required for the annual Bonsai Exhibit. We also have upcoming elections for club officers. Peter Shawinksy has an extensive collection of Bonsai stands and scrolls for sale, and finally, several links to Mike Lane and a tutorial on Bonsai wiring essentials.

Sep 15 (Friday) Special Speaker: Laurent Darrieux

Sep 15 (Friday) Special Speaker: Laurent Darrieux

We will be meeting Friday at 9AM for a very special demonstration by renowned French artist Laurent Darrieux, the author of the Cosmic Bonsai.


The tree that he will use will become our December Holiday raffle tree that we draw the winning ticket for at our Holiday Party.

Members can attend the demonstration for free.

All non-members are welcome at a $10 door charge. After a break for lunch, we will resume at 1PM for a workshop with the artist.


Only those participants who signed up in August and paid the $40 fee may participate. The club provides the trees and the wire. Participants must bring their own
tools.

The Passing of Mike Knowlton

The Passing of Mike Knowlton

It is with great sorrow I share the sad message that a significant force within BSF passed away July 7. Shortly after attending our semi-annual Board meeting as District 7 Trustee in January, Michael Knowlton was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Mike served as trustee for several years, then became BSF President in 2013. During his five year tenure as President, he championed initiatives that included a commemorative book featuring convention exhibit trees and headliner artists, negotiated favorable conditions at the Florida Hotel, which has been the beautiful site for our conventions since 2014. He was instrumental in putting the Florida Bonsai Magazine into digital format, and through diplomacy and hard work fostered harmony and a sense of belonging with all BSF member societies. He led BSF’s Visiting Artist Program for many years, and coordinated the huge task of a joint convention for the 50th Anniversary of ABS in 2017. Michael was an admired and respected leader in every sense of the word.

Mike and his wife, Lunetta, were very involved in showing their beloved bonsai. They transported them, and other trees from Florida, to Bill Valavanis’ US National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester, to Miami’s Komorebi, to the BSF Annual Convention, to Epcot, and to the Sho Fu annual exhibits. The importance they placed on exhibiting trees culminated in a club-wide effort to prepare a Sho Fu owned raintree forest composition for the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection in Washington DC. For well over a year, all members were encouraged to participate in the preparations, which also offered great teaching opportunities. As a retired school superintendent, sharing and promoting knowledge was of key importance to Mike. These efforts paid off when the tree was awarded Best Tropical at the U.S Bonsai National Exhibition in 2018. Subsequently, the forest had outgrown its space in the Permanent Exhibit at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Sarasota), so the Knowltons bought the composition from Sho Fu, only to turn around and donate it to the Chicago Botanical Gardens, where it flourishes to this day.

As Sho Fu President, Mike was able to transform a generous bequest of long-time member Joel Fedder into a revenue stream that has enabled the club (my club) to support the Permanent Bonsai Exhibit housed at Selby Gardens, as well as an education program fund. In fact, Mike was the driving force in the creation of the Sho Fu owned and curated Permanent Exhibit at Selby Gardens. Michael lived to fulfill the mission of all our bonsai societies to further the art of bonsai through exposing, teaching, and mentoring. He taught classes at Wigert’s Bonsai Nursery, gave numerous presentations for Sho Fu and other clubs as well as the BSF convention, and took people who showed an interest in the art under his wing to grow their appreciation of bonsai. He did everything together with Lunetta, who was always at his side, chaired numerous exhibits, and helped support his mission. Mike left an indelible impression on all who knew him, and on the face of Florida bonsai.

I personally will miss Michael greatly. On behalf of the entire BSF Board, we offer our sympathy and sincere condolences to Lunetta and the loving family he has left behind. A Celebration of Michael’s Life will take place on July 29 at 11am, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 508 Riviera St., Venice FL

Kathrin Harris, BSF President

July 2023 Newsletter

Many topics here….Ramification, “Pick Your Triangle” discussion, the August 19 Meeting on Root-Over-Rock, a special September 15 presentation by Laurent Darrieux, a Mike Lane class, and Useful Contacts. The WebMaster has also added several links to these topics so that you see what learning options are available.

Zone Information, Zone Chart and Dragon Tree

Zone Information, Zone Chart and Dragon Tree

Martha Goff has listed the trees available at Dragon Tree Nursery and identified the Zones that they grow in. Zones are determined by the low and high temperature throughout the year. Most of us in southwest Florida are Zone 9-11.   The further south-Ft. Myers down to Naples-are in Zone 10. Below Naples, Zone 11 and 12 occur.   Inland from Ft. Myers a short distance, we have Zone 9.

The reason identifying a plant’s growing Zone is important is because that is where the plant will thrive.

A little additional, necessary information: If a plant is listed as growing in Zones 4-9 and you live in Zone 9, you might think it will do well for you. It will if it is deciduous like elms or crepe myrtle. If it isn’t dormant during the winter, the Zone 9 is at it’s outer limit and can cause stress and a lack of thriving. I always recommend staying away from these trees.

On the other hand, if the tree is Zone 9-11 or similar, that plant will do well for us because the 9 is beginning of its response to conditions.

I say all of this, so that when you look over the list of trees available at Dragon Tree, you can choose wisely and choose only the plants that will thrive.

Don’t forget to meet us at the Garden Center on June 17th at 8:30 if you need a ride or you are a driver meeting passengers. We will leave promptly at 9AM. Also, remember to bring cash or a check, no credit cards.