Please find below and attached our April 2025 Newsletter.

REDDITCH BONSAI
www.midlandbonsai.org www.redditchbonsai.co.uk
Edition of April 2025.
EDITOR’S REMARKS.
Once again we have to say that there has been precious little contribution from members to this
publication. We shall not be inclined, in those circumstances, to publish so many newsletters in the
future.
COMING UP AT THE MBS.
The May meeting will be all about SHOW PREPARATION and will be supported by MALCOLM
HUGHES.
COMING UP AT REDDITCH BONSAI.
This week’s meeting will be about WIRING and we hope that members will be able to make a
contribution detailing their approach to this subject.
The June meeting will be about PRUNING AND DEFOLIATION. We also hope that any
members who won prizes/commendations at the MBS show will bring their trees along to this
meeting.
WILDLIFE/BLUEBELL WALK.
Malcolm Beach will be leading his WALK ON THE WILDSIDE on the first Saturday in May,
which is Saturday 3rd May. The plan is to meet at or near to the entrance of the wood in
Birmingham Road, Lydiate Ash, just up the road from Singletons Nursery. The road comes to a
dead end there and there is adequate parking. Meeting time will be 1.00 p.m. and afterwards we
plan to have a cuppa at Singletons Nursery. Their postcode is B61 0HT. Do support tyhis venture
by Malcolm.
VISIT TO COTTERED JAPANESE GARDEN.
This visit remains planned for Sunday 25th May and Teanah will be sending out details in due
course.
THE ANNUAL SHOW.
This remains fixed for Sunday 8th June and Dave Attwood, Show Secretary will be in touch in due
course, but keep this date in your diary.
OTHER OPEN DAYS/DISPLAY TABLES PLANNED.
We intend to participate at an event, ( ?Rare Plant Sale) at Winterbourne Garden, Edgbaston on
Sunday 13th July. More details from Dave in due course.
We are also hoping to participate in an event being planned by Singletons Nursery at Lydiate Ash
– no date yet fixed for this. Watch this space!
The society may also agree to man a table at the Botanical Gardens on behalf of FOBBS – again no
date yet fixed.
BONSAI TIP OF THE MONTH.
It’s windy again – so watch that your trees don’t dry out. There are differing views about whether
you should refrain from applying fertiliser to trees for c. 4 weeks after repotting, but since your
re-potting has no doubt already taken place just get on with it.
GARDENING TIP OF THE MONTH.
Get those seed packets open and their contents set in an appropriate mix of compost. It’s not too
late to take Chrysanthemum cuttings. Start Dahlia tubers into growth. Plant some
gladioli/crocosmia. If on the allotment, or we suppose in the garden, plant successively to give a
longer display/time for cutting. Plant 2nd early spuds and underplant slower growing veg with
something like RADISH to make best use of space. Also:-
 Make sure your greenhouse is pest free, and open vents on warm days to promote good air
circulation.
 Aerate your lawn and apply a combined feed, weed and moss treatment to get it into condition
for summer.
 As the soil starts to warm up, now’s a good time to plant perennials for beautiful colour that
will come back year after year.
 Declare all-out war on the slugs and snails.
 Tie climbing roses and clematis in to supports.
Richard and Angela Gilkes 15th April 2025