Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society
Dedicated to the art of bonsaiArchive for PFM Bonsai
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.
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.
Knittle Bonsai Stand Workshop
One of our favorite teachers, David Knittle, will be constructing two-level shohin stands with us on Januray 27 in this workshop that is currently filled, but observers are welcome. It’s a morning workshop, before the monthly meeting of MHBS. Guests are always welcome to attend.
Suthin Sukosolvisit Workshop Saturday November 17
On Saturday, November 17, Suthin Sukosolvisit will host a bring-your-own workshop at pfm bonsai in West Charlton, the home of MHBS. There are still a few openings in the workshop and this event is open to sister clubs so sign up while there’s still room. The workshop is Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and only three spots are open. The fee is $100 cash for the workshop.
You may also wish to order in dinner from the Charlton Tavern with Suthin that evening. We will eat in the studio where we can actually have a conversation over dinner. BYO wine or other drink. Register by phone at 518-882-1039 or email pauline@pfmbonsai.com immediately. Bring tools, wire and tree(s). Please bring cash for dinner payment also.
On Sunday, Suthin will do a refinement demo on material he is bringing. The result will be raffled among MHBS club members. BYO and share lunch at noon, followed by the demo.
Born in Thailand, Suthin has extensive experience with tropical bonsai. His expertise also includes Japanese maple, Juniper, Azalea, Black Pine and many other species. Suthin has won many National Bonsai Awards in Thailand and the United States. He lectures all around the world and at some of the most important bonsai conventions in the United States. Suthin’s bonsai are famed for their proportion, refinement and detail.
Tyler Sherrod Demo This Sunday
Many of you watched Tyler Sherrod at MABS in April. MHBS has him for a demonstration at 12:00 noon on October 14 at pfm bonsai in West Charlton, and the tree will be raffled for club members. This is also our monthly club meeting so bring some food to share. Visitors are welcome.
Born in Hickory, North Carolina, Tyler was introduced to Bonsai at the Bonsai Learning Center in Charlotte, attended workshops with Boon Manakitivipart, and entered a five-year apprenticeship with Sinji Suzuki in Obuse, Japan, refining and preparing trees to enter Japan’s top bonsai competitions, Kokufu-ten, Taikan-ten and Sakafu-Ten. In 2016 Tyler received professional certification from the Nippon Bonsai Association and returned to North Carolina to establish Dogwood Studios. He is dedicated to celebrating the vast landscape of America through Bonsai.
Other upcoming MHBS events include a November 18 presentation on pines by David Hodgetts. See you at these events!
Annual Bonsai Tree Show
The Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a free bonsai event on Saturday and Sunday, August 25-26. All are invited for free workshops, free consults, starter trees, and gorgeous bonsai displays at pfm bonsai, 7 Western Avenue in West Charlton, NY.
See bonsai trees in all stages of development. Attend free bonsai workshops and demos. Bring your trees and get free advice from Dr. Bonsai. Stock up on starter trees and supplies, pots, tools, slabs and soils. Enter free raffles.
You can even create your own bonsai each day at 1:00. The $40 fee for this workshop includes a nursery-grown Portulacaria Afra bonsai tree, expert styling, PLUS an annual MHBS club membership (a $40 value).
“If you’ve ever been interested in these little trees but don’t think you can keep one alive, this event is for you,” says bonsai master and club member Pauline Muth.
This is also a great opportunity to meet club members. Founded in 1968 by a group of local enthusiasts including TV personality Earl Pudney, the Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society has become one of the leading bonsai clubs in the northeastern United States. In recent years, MHBS has hosted a “Who’s Who” of bonsai masters including David Knittle, Mark Argpag, Ted Matson, Jim Doyle, Colin Lewis, Mauro Stemberger, Mary Madison, Juan Andrade, Tony Tickle, Frank Mihalic, Martin Schmalenberg, Young Choe and Pauline Muth. For more information about the 50th anniversary event or the club, call Pauline at 518-882-1039 or email her at pauline@pfmbonsai.com.
Special 10:00 AM Club Meeting
Just a reminder that the MHBS club meeting for Sunday, July 22 will be 10 AM, not the usual noon time. At 10:00 AM we will present an accent plant demo with guest artist Young Choe. Following the club meeting Young will do a workshop, pre-registration required. Be sure to bring containers and plants for the workshop. Visitors are always welcome to attend a meeting and monitor the workshop.
Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society 