Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society
Dedicated to the art of bonsaiArchive for MHBS
MABS Spring Festival approaches
The 11 bonsai societies that comprise MABS (Mid-Atlantic Bonsai Society) will host the annual Spring Festival in Parsippany, NJ, March 31 – April 2, 2023. This year’s festival will feature bonsai masters Will Baddeley of Ipswich, United Kingdom, Todd Schlafer of Lakewood, Colorado, and Hugo Zamora Luna of Mexico City, Mexico (pictured below), in demonstrations and workshops. MABS is a wonderful opportunity for those interested in bonsai to learn and improve. To find out more, visit http://www.midatlanticbonsai.org.
Mark Arpag Workshop June 27
MHBS welcomes Mark Arpag to run a bring-your-own workshop at pfm bonsai in West Charlton on on Saturday, June 27. Mark is a frequent guest, known for working with many species of bonsai and especially cedar. The workshop hours are 9am to 4pm and it is limited to eight people so register soon by calling 518-882-1039. The workshop fee is $50.
Social distancing will be observed so this workshop will be held outdoors. Don’t forget to bring a mask and sunscreen, as well as your tools and trees. The nursery is open if you need a tree or two.
2020 Happenings
The events are tentative but MHBS members have these things and guests to look for in 2020:
- Tree insect pests and diseases
- Finding the tree within with Martin Schmalenberg
- Forest and root over rock plantings
- Kathy Shaner and bonsai display
- Air layering and shohin with Frank Mihalic
- Jim Doyle and pines
- A Mark Arpag workshop
- Rock collecting in the river
- Turntable building
- Pottery making
- Choosing the right pot for your bonsai
- And don’t forget the 2020 US National Exhibition
It’s going to be a great 2020. Enjoy your holidays and a Happy New Year!
Jim Doyle Does Pines
Coming in November: Pines with Jim Doyle Jim Doyle will spend the weekend of November 23-24 teaching us pines. Register now for the Saturday BYO workshop with Jim, 9:00 until done. Bring your lunch. To register, email Pauline at Pauline@pfmbonsai.com.
MHBS Bonsai Show at Albany Center Gallery 9/21 and 9/22
Before Impressionism, Cubism, Pointillism, Surrealism and Pop Art—there was Bonsai.
That’s why this year’s annual MHBS bonsai show will take place in an art gallery. Examples of the ancient art of bonsai will be on display at The Albany Center Gallery, 488 Broadway, September 20-21. Viewing hours will be Saturday from 12 to 5 and Sunday from 12 to 4. There will be ample free parking available at nearby parking garages.
Bonsai in all stages of development will be on display, shown by members of the Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society. There will be bonsai demonstrations in the park next to the gallery and visitors are invited to bring in their bonsai for free advice. The club will also have bonsai available for sale.
To learn more, contact:
Albany Center Gallery: Tony Iadicicco, Executive Director
518.462.4775 | director@albanycentergallery.org | albanycentergallery.org
Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society: Pauline Muth
518-882-1039 | pauline@pfmbonsai.com | mohawkhudsonbonsai.org
July 28 MHBS meeting
A reminder that July 28th’s MHBS meeting at pfm bonsai in West Charlton will feature visiting master Martin Schmalenberg and an after-lunch program on suiseki. Visitors are always welcome too. If you have suiseki to share, bring them. And don’t forget to bring some food to contribute to lunch. Martin will also be bringing a display from his personal collection and some stones that will be available for sale. Any questions, call Pauline at (518) 882-1039.
Suiseki (⽔⽯) are small, naturally occurring rocks, similar to Chinese scholar’s rocks. They are displayed either in a wooden base (Daiza), or in a waterproof tray or bowl of ceramic (suiban) or bronze (Doban). The best Suiseki are expressive stones with a shape, color and texture to suggest landscapes or objects. Other than cutting flat bases on some stones to allow for stable display, suiseki stones are not cut or reshaped. The stones are natural and are found in rivers, oceans and karst areas. Typical landscapes are mountains, lakes or rivers, while object stones might include animals or sculptures.
Club members should also mark their calendars for the annual President’s Picnic at the Kiszkiel’s on August 25, and for the MHBS Club Show, September 21-22, for which member trees should already be in preparation.
The Return of Young Choe
Some MHBS club members were lucky enough to create a kusamomo last year under the guiding hand of Young Choe. If you weren’t among them, or even if you were, you’ve got another chance. Young returns on Sunday, June 9, for an all-day workshop beginning at 9:00 AM, prior to the monthly MHBS club meeting at noon. In the morning we will create calligraphy, and in the afternoon we will again build a kusamono with Young Choe.
The all-day workshop is only $35 and a few spots remain. Register with Pauline at pfm bonsai. Our last Young Choe event was sold out so don’t delay. Bring tools and a deepish bonsai container for your kusamono. Everything else is provided. Don’t forget something for the pot luck lunch.
Mark Arpag Visits MHBS
Mark Arpag’s recent visit to MHBS included a bring-your-own workshop and a lecture and demo on shohin material. Both were well-attended and here are some photos.
Mark Comstock: Bonsai Repotting
On March 31, bonsai expert Mark Comstock will help MHBS club members repot trees. Mark says to bring plenty of trees and learn the best way to repot and transplant safely. The day starts early at 7 AM. “I will repot from 7 to 10,” says Mark. Then comes a demo and more repotting of club member trees until 5 PM.
Mark will also demo nursery container trees into pre-bonsai configuration, demo a finished tree, and go over soil sizes, watering practices and bacteria/fungal issues.
Bring trees that need transplanting this spring, plus your tools and soil, or just come to observe. Soil will also be available for purchase. And don’t forget to bring some food to share at our usual pot luck lunch. The timing is great for spring repotting. Please email Pauline to register for this FREE-to-members event.
Mark is starting early, but you needn’t come at 7 AM. If you are interested in coming that early, just let Pauline know when you register.
Spring and Bonsai at MHBS
Yup, you’ve done all your winter wiring and hopefully haven’t lost any trees. Spring is ready to pounce. At MHBS, we have a busy spring planned.
On February 24, club member Carl Taeubner will lead an Ikebana worksho. On March 31, Mark Comstock will show us how to properly transplant trees. On April 28, Mark Arpag will hold a bring-your-own workshop and demo. On May 19, Pauline Muth and Dave Hodgetts will lead a rock planting lesson and workshop.
And there are the April 11-14 ABS Seminars in Houston:
http://absbonsai.org/event/american-bonsaisociety- 2019-national-convention
And the April 12-14 MABS in Harrisburg PA:
Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society 