Our monthly meetings, typically at 7 p.m. on the 4th Monday of each month, are usually held in the Community room or activity room of St. Mary’s Woods, 1257 Marywood Ln., Richmond, VA, 23229. Please check the individual event listings on the calendar for changes,updates and details.
We are happy to announce that the RBS web page now has the ability to accept online payments for paid workshops, activities, and MEMBERSHIP. You can use any credit or dept card or a Paypal account now via the Membership, Event Registration, and Purchases Page.
Bob Mahler will be visiting us to demo and assist with Shohin Bonsai. Because of this, we are meeting on the 29th (5th Monday) and starting earlier (6 pm) to have extra time with him.
More details to follow.
This event is being rescheduled by David B. Please contact him directly for details or email us at info@richmondbonsaisociety.org
Ongoing 2019 Bonsai Basics Class
RBS is offering a new Bonsai Basics class to members using junipers in winter/spring 2019. For those that want to expand their bonsai skills or refresh their skills, this is the class for you. The class will be taught by Dave Barker and will be comprised of three monthly sessions covering the basics of styling a tree, cleaning a tree, use of bonsai tools, pruning, wiring, soil, pots, repotting, and bonsai horticulture.
The class will run 40 minutes, from 6:15 to 6:55, composed of 20 minutes of lecture/discussion and 20 minutes of practical application – working on your tree. The first session will expose the nebari, find the front of the tree, and do basic cleaning of the tree. The second session will involve pruning the tree to shape and style, and wiring the trunk and main branches in place. In the third session, the tree will be root pruned, wired securely in a pot and finished. In addition, basic care to keep the bonsai healthy and growing will be discussed.
The cost of the basics class is for materials: $25 for a 1 gallon juniper, pot, and scissors; $10 for scissors only; and free to members supplying their own juniper and scissors. Wire, pot, and bonsai soil will be provided. The class is limited to 15 members, with 7 slots remaining after signups at the January meeting. All members can be silent observers. To secure your place in the class, email Dave Barker at dtbarker_sd@yahoo.com or come at 6 pm to the February meeting if spots remain. Payment can be made via paypal anytime or by cash or check at the February class.
RBS is also planning a summer class in June, July, and August as well using a tropical tree (ficus or serissa). More information on the summer bonsai basics class will be in a future newsletter.
Workshop With Mauro Stemberger, May 14th from 9 am – 4 pm
There will be a special workshop for intermediate and advanced skilled members with Italian bonsai master, Mauro Stemberger at Strange’s nursery in Short Pump. It is a bring-your-own-tree(s) workshop and the cost is $125. There is one opening available, contact Randi Heise if interested. All members are welcome as silent observers.
RBS Picnic and Auction, May 19, 3 PM, BYRD PARK
This event is a great way to find bonsai plants, pots, tools, and other supplies for a great price. RBS will supply the main dish (fried chicken), ice, drinks, paper goods, and utensils. Members should bring a side dish or dessert to share. The picnic and auction will be held at the BYRD PARK Carillon Shelter. Please note, this event will serve as our regular meeting for the month of May. There will be no meeting on May 27.
You must be a current RBS or PBA member to sell or bid on items at the auction (but you can join that day). Auction items should arrive from 2-3 pm, we’ll eat at 3 pm, and the auction will begin about 3:30. A minimum 20% from each sale is donated automatically to the club, but you keep the rest of the sales. Typically, members bring 3-5 items each to sell. If you have more than that, consider grouping them into lots.
The Carillon Shelter is near Barker Field and the Toll Booth. The closest searchable address is for the Carillon, (1300 Blanton Ave, Richmond, VA 23221) which is nearby. Enter teh Carrilon Parking from Park Dr. and go south through the entire Carrilon Parking area to the end. There is a Carillon Shelter sign at the edge of the parking to mark the “road” to the shelter. There is parking near the shelter. There is another shelter closer to Maymont’s Nature Center, so do not get them confused. Watch for “RBS” signs marking the path to the shelter.
Summer Bonsai Basics Class
RBS is offering a Bonsai Basics class to members using Serissa (snow rose) in Summer 2019 for those that want to expand their bonsai skills. The class will be taught by Dave Barker and will be comprised of three monthly sessions covering the basics of styling a tree, cleaning a tree, use of bonsai tools, pruning, wiring, soil, pots, repotting, and bonsai horticulture.
The class will run 55 minutes, from 6:00 to 6:55, composed of 20 minutes of lecture/discussion and 35 minutes of practical application – working on your tree. The June session will expose the nebari, find the front of the tree, do basic cleaning of the tree, and pruning the tree to shape and style. The July session will be wiring the trunk and main branches in place. In the August session, the tree will be root pruned, wired securely in a pot and finished. In addition, basic care to keep the bonsai healthy and growing will be discussed.
The cost of the basics class is for materials: $35 for a tree, pot, and scissors; $10 for scissors only; and free to members supplying their own tropical plant and scissors. Wire, pot, and bonsai soil will be provided. The class is limited to 12 members.
Also, we learned in the first class this spring that we need assistance from experienced members in the last 30 minutes. So let Dave know if you are willing to help give class members some individual attention with their trees for 15-20 minutes before the club meeting begins.
Sign-up for the class will begin at the April 29th meeting, continue through the May picnic/auction, and until the class is full.
This month’s meeting is a BYOT workshop. It’s a great time of year to work on azaleas, tropicals, and do mid-summer pruning and wiring before the next flush of leaves come one. Bring your tree, tools, and wire and we will be there to offer advice!
TBD
Summer Bonsai Basics Class Part 2
RBS is offering a Bonsai Basics class to members using Serissa (snow rose) in Summer 2019 for those that want to expand their bonsai skills. The class will be taught by Dave Barker and will be comprised of three monthly sessions covering the basics of styling a tree, cleaning a tree, use of bonsai tools, pruning, wiring, soil, pots, repotting, and bonsai horticulture.
The class will run 55 minutes, from 6:00 to 6:55, composed of 20 minutes of lecture/discussion and 35 minutes of practical application – working on your tree. The June session will expose the nebari, find the front of the tree, do basic cleaning of the tree, and pruning the tree to shape and style. The July session will be wiring the trunk and main branches in place. In the August session, the tree will be root pruned, wired securely in a pot and finished. In addition, basic care to keep the bonsai healthy and growing will be discussed.
The cost of the basics class is for materials: $35 for a tree, pot, and scissors; $10 for scissors only; and free to members supplying their own tropical plant and scissors. Wire, pot, and bonsai soil will be provided. The class is limited to 12 members.
Also, we learned in the first class this spring that we need assistance from experienced members in the last 30 minutes. So let Dave know if you are willing to help give class members some individual attention with their trees for 15-20 minutes before the club meeting begins.
Sign-up for the class will begin at the April 29th meeting, continue through the May picnic/auction, and until the class is full.
Summer Bonsai Basics Class Part 3
RBS is offering a Bonsai Basics class to members using Serissa (snow rose) in Summer 2019 for those that want to expand their bonsai skills. The class will be taught by Dave Barker and will be comprised of three monthly sessions covering the basics of styling a tree, cleaning a tree, use of bonsai tools, pruning, wiring, soil, pots, repotting, and bonsai horticulture.
The class will run 55 minutes, from 6:00 to 6:55, composed of 20 minutes of lecture/discussion and 35 minutes of practical application – working on your tree. The June session will expose the nebari, find the front of the tree, do basic cleaning of the tree, and pruning the tree to shape and style. The July session will be wiring the trunk and main branches in place. In the August session, the tree will be root pruned, wired securely in a pot and finished. In addition, basic care to keep the bonsai healthy and growing will be discussed.
The cost of the basics class is for materials: $35 for a tree, pot, and scissors; $10 for scissors only; and free to members supplying their own tropical plant and scissors. Wire, pot, and bonsai soil will be provided. The class is limited to 12 members.
Also, we learned in the first class this spring that we need assistance from experienced members in the last 30 minutes. So let Dave know if you are willing to help give class members some individual attention with their trees for 15-20 minutes before the club meeting begins.
Sign-up for the class will begin at the April 29th meeting, continue through the May picnic/auction, and until the class is full.
TBD