by George Buehler

GLBS CALENDAR
We have presented the complete 2008 GLBS calendar on page 2. There is something for everybody in this year's calendar. Mark the dates down and plan to attend as many meetings as possible. John and the rest of the board have spent a lot of time putting this schedule together to offer a variety of programs for various skills levels. There will be more details on the meetings in each newsletter. I have also included some other important bonsai events.

BONSAI 2008 A NATIONAL EXHIBITION
On October 11-12, 2008 there will be the first American national bonsai exhibition. It will be held at the Monroe Community Hospital in Rochester, NY. There will be over 100 fine quality bonsai from across the country. They will judged at the end of the exhibition. Of course there will be a vendor area and there will be two demonstrations during the two day event. This event is being held in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of Bonsai International.\

In Japan, there is the Kokufu-ten, an eight day national exhibit of bonsai from small shohin-size trees to large specimens. This exhibit began in 1934 and has run continuously - except during World War II. There are hundred of trees exhibited at this event and it has become the Mecca for exhibition of specimen trees.

For the last several years, a European exhibit called the Ginkgo Award has been held. This exhibit is for European trees, and this year 292 bonsai were exhibited. This exhibit was started to have a stage for European bonsai artist to exhibit their trees.

However, not many of us can afford to fly to Japan or Europe to attend either of these exhibits. Now we have the opportunity for an American exhibition with the scheduled National Exhibition.

I get sort of sad at this time of year but also somewhat glad. The bonsai season is coming to an end which makes me sad, but the bonsai season is coming to an end which makes me glad. That sounds strange, I know. However, when I put my trees to bed for the winter, I know that I will have more time to read the stack of journals I have not been able to get to, I will have time to do research on future articles, and I will have time to get my other tasks caught up. On the other hand, I will miss examining my trees or doing that needed trimming or wiring. So it is a time of sadness and gladness for me. Perhaps it is the same for you!

Before you put your trees to bed, make sure you prepare them for winter. Your tropsicals should be in their winter storage by now. The deciduous and evergreens are still waiting. For the deciduous, make sure they have lost all their leaves, and then clean up the soil of all dead leaves, and other debris. I always spray the trunk and limbs with a strong stream of water to make sure there are no critters left on them trying to make a home. The evergreens are handled in the same way, but more attention has to be given to spraying the foliage. I won't bury them until probably the end of November, depending on the weather.

John has given me a short article on the 2011 ABS seminar which is printed on page 1. The club will need plenty of help from all its members (and spouse) to make this a success. With the combination ABS/BCI format, we will have a number of international artists attending, demonstrating, and teaching which will make this event a great experience for Louisville. However, it will also mean that we will have to go that 'extra mile' to show the bonsai community the Louisville hospitality we are famous for. Call John and volunteer for one of the committees.

It seems strange thinking about Christmas now, but it won't be long before it is here. Have you made up your list for Santa Claus yet? Perhaps it is time to start thinking about the things you need and start leaving notes for your significant other (or, as we call it, my "house general"). Go through your tools and see what you need. How about that bonsai book you really wanted to read? For those of you into Azaleas, there is "Satsuki Azaleas" by Robert Callahan ($39.95) - an extensive treatise on growing and caring for Azaleas, as well as a very through description of what appears to be thousands of various Azalea cultivars. There is also Bonsai Today's Master series on Junipers or Pines (either $29.95). Each of these books covers a number of styling techniques along with a plethora of information on each species. All three are available on the ABS web site (http://www.absbonsai.org/books/bookservice.html)

How about a bonsai calendar? The ABS is offering a really nice one featuring 13 North American specimen trees. The calendar is printed on 100 pound gloss paper which shows up each tree. And in addition, there is plenty of space to mark down the important dates you need to keep track of. This is also available on the ABS web site.