Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society
Dedicated to the art of bonsaiArchive for Workshops
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:
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.
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.
July and August with MHBS
On July 22nd, MHBS does accent plants with guest artist Young Choe. Great timing for our club show on August 25th and 26th. Be sure to sign up. Young will not be bringing any materials for her lesson so gather together containers and plants for the meeting.
On July 29, the club visits Martin Schmalenberg’s studio in New Jersey. If you haven’t signed up for the car caravan yet, do it quickly and plan on bringing a picnic lunch to share. Martin will have some trees for sale.
On August 25 and 26, MHBS will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with a club show at pfm bonsai in West Charlton (note the change of venue). All are welcome for displays, material, free advice and workshops, including a “create your own bonsai” workshop. Club members, start prepping your show trees.
And mark your calendar for the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, September 8 and 9 in Rochester, NY. Not to be missed!
