by George Buehler

It doesn't seem possible that 2009 is coming to an end. We had some unusual events in 2009, and I guess this year was the "official" start of the economic melt-down the world is currently undergoing. In looking back, I hope many of us can say that we (and our bonsai) came through relatively unscathed. I think I learned several new things this year that I can use in the future. But let's look ahead.

As mentioned before, the 2010 calendar has been set and I hope that you have marked your home calendar with the dates so that we can have a large turnout at each event. Lee and other board members have tried to set up a variety of events - for the beginner and the more advanced members. Lee says that we are going to try to keep the dates as firm as possible.

Speaking of calendars, the ABS bookstore is once again this year offering a really nice 2010 calendar. This high quality calendar is printed on glossy 100 lb text weight paper. It measures 8.5" x 11" when folded, and 11" x 17" when hanging on your wall. It has oversized date boxes, providing plenty of room to write in important events. Each month has a professionally photographed specimen bonsai. Price of this calendar is listed as $19.95 plus shipping. However, I am offering the calendars at a reduced price of $15.95 delivered for GLBS members, while supplies last. If you want one of these unique calendars, let me know and I will get you one.

Most of my deciduous bonsai have finally lost their leaves, and I have started putting them to bed for the winter. As I put each tree away (I store mine in an unheated garage), I remove any moss, cut off any dead leaves still on them, check underneath the pots to make sure there are no critters nested there, and check the pots to ensure it doesn't have any cracks. I also wash the pots with a solution of Lysol and water (making sure that I don’t get any of this cleaning solution into the soil - if I do, I use a copious amount of water to flush the soil), make a note as to whether the tree needs to be transplanted in the spring and if it needs a new pot and then put it in its place for its nap. If I determined the tree needed any major reworking, I try to get a picture of the bare tree to study how to correct the problem.

Because of the weather, I am waiting to mulch in my evergreens for their winter nap. These trees are stored in a wood enclosed cage in a flower bed next to the house. I have already purchased the extra mulch, have the wood cage ready, and am waiting for the temperature to get colder. One thing I noticed this year that hasn't been a problem in the past is the need for watering. Some of the trees, generally evergreens, are still using a fairly high amount of water, others are using hardly any. I have to go through my collection and check the soil for each to determine whether it needs to be watered. I would expect the deciduous trees that have dropped their leaves not to use much water, but even the boxwoods are not using the "normal" amount of water. Very strange!

Next month I will start getting my soil ready for the transplanting season. I guess we all have various ways to prepare our soil, and I don't think there is only one method. To get my components ready, I first spread them on a piece of plastic on the basement floor to make sure they are fairly dry. I then sift each one to remove any dust and to size them. I think the most important thing in soil preparation is the dust removal. I found a while back that if the dust is not removed, it has a tendency to settle in the bottom of the pot, forming a "gooey" mess, which sometimes partially plugs the drainage hole. If you sift your components, make sure you wear proper dust mask protection so the components don’t end up in your lungs. It can get rather dusty as you sift.

The lava rock will arrive this month. The club is selling it at $4.00/bag for members and $5.00/bag for non members. The bags are 7 lbs each. I will send out an e-mail when it gets here, if you are in a hurry to get some. Lee is going to store it at Cave Hill, so you will have to make arrangements with him to pick it up.

Since this is the last newsletter for the year, I want to wish you and your family a happy holiday season. We can all be thankful for our blessings, our health, the friendships we have and, most of all, our loved ones.

The Christmas Party will start at 6PM Dec 12 at Jumbo's. Lee tells me there will be NO gift exchange this year. Come out and join us for a fun evening.