by George Buehler

Although the temperature remains in the record high area, outside bonsai time will soon be coming to a close for this year. It is time to reflect back on this past growing season and decide what worked and what didn't work, what you wanted to do but just didn't get around to doing, what trees need to be transplanted this next spring and if the pots you have your trees in now are the "ideal" pots for these trees. Get pictures of your trees and print them out so you can study them later in the year when there are no other chores to do.

Before your deciduous trees lose all their leaves, go over them to determine if the design needs to be modified or 'tweaked'. After they lose all their leaves, go over them again before you put them to bed for the winter to examine each and every one for insect damage, wire cut-in, and any other damage. Make sure that all the debris is removed from the soil before you put them away. It seems early to be thinking of such things but with the crazy weather we have been having, we may have frost at any time or for that matter we may have more 90 degree days too.

Don't put your trees away too soon. Watch the weather forecasts and when the temperatures start getting close to 55, it's time to bring in your tropicals. You probably will do the bonsai shuffle several times before the tropicals are put under lights for the winter. If you don't know what the "bonsai shuffle" is, this is when you have to bring in the trees for the night due to cool temperatures but put them back out because the daytime temperatures are high. Both deciduous and evergreens should be exposed to several hard frosts before they are put away for the winter to ensure they are going into dormancy.

Before you put your tools away for the winter, check the sharpness of your tools. Do they need to be touched up? Make a note of the tools that need to be sharpened. Next month, I hope to present a short article on sharpening tools. If the tools were treated properly, it isn't too much of a job to touch them up. However, if they were misused, the job is more difficult and depending on your 'do it yourself' skills, it may be easier to just purchase new tools. Your tools should also be oiled before they are put away. I put a drop of oil on the pivot pin, and then wipe off the excess with a small cloth. Use the same cloth with a little oil on it to wipe the entire tool to put a thin layer of oil on it. It doesn't take a lot of oil on the cloth to accomplish this, but I do put a little oil on the cloth before I wipe the tool. This will keep it from rusting. A number of years ago, I bought a small can of sewing machine oil and am still using it, so it doesn't take much.

I have presented a partial GLBS 2008 calendar on page two. The Board of Directors has come up with some workshops and meetings that I think you will enjoy. We have tried to have meetings for both the novice and the more experienced artist. There also will be several masters coming for workshops. Check next month for the complete calendar.

Thinking of calendars, the American Bonsai Society is selling a calendar that has pictures of specimen North American trees. It is printed on 100 pound paper, is 11 inches by 17 inches when opened and has plenty of room to mark down those important dates and meetings. It costs $19.95. If you would like to have one of these, let me know and I will get you one. I have the calendars at my house.

While on that subject, you might want to check the ABS bookstore web site (http://absbonsai.org/books/bookservice.html) for some interesting books. If you find one that you would like to purchase, let me know. I can get you the books without the shipping charges.

We are going to have our fall show this month and our show chairman, Gene Sewell, needs your help. Why don't you call him to volunteer before he calls you? It is great fun talking to the people and answering their questions.

On a personal note, I want to congratulate Shannon and John John (our president) on their marriage Sept. 22, 2007. Best wishes to both.