Please find attached and below our December 2025 – MBS and RBS Newsletter.
REDDITCH BONSAI
www.midlandbonsai.org www.redditchbonsai.co.uk
EDITOR’S REMARKS.
We look forward to seeing you at the MBS A G M this Thursday, which is arguably the most
important meeting of the year. If you have any proposals to put forward it would be helpful, in
many ways, if you would let us know before the meeting so that a more reasoned discussion can
take place.
Next year’s programmes are under active discussion at the moment and we hope to have a fairly
clear idea of the MBS proposals for 2026 by this Thursday. Redditch will take a little longer.
Here’s a reminder about the 2026 show. The Botanical Gardens have pencilled us in for the first
Sunday in June, the 7th, so get that date in your diary please.
KEW GARDENS CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW.
Angela and I were in London last week and were able to visit Kew Gardens to see their light show.
What an excellent show it was! If you can get there to view the show your effort would be well
rewarded! (see photos at the foot) Photo 2 shows mycelium using fibre optics! Very impressive
and note the little mushrooms.
BONSAI TIP OF THE MONTH.
Don’t miss the MBS A G M on Thursday!
All your trees would be well in protection by now we hope. We are sure that they will welcome not
being out in the rain that’s presently falling here! If your trees are too heavy to lift or you don’t
have undercover space than a sheet of polythene trimmed appropriately around the trunk/pot will
go a long way to keeping your trees happy! Clear off all surface litter before applying the cover.
GARDENING TIP OF THE MONTH.
There are some seeds that you can sow now, believe it or not. I have sown Larkspur and now have
some very satisfactory seedlings in the greenhouse. You can also sow sweet peas now as well. I
mentioned these last month and my first efforts became far too leggy so I shall have to start again!
The chrysanthemums are now finished. Cut the stems to 4-6 inches and lift the stool. Store in
slightly damp compost in the greenhouse and be ready to collect cuttings in the spring. Don’t
forget to label all the plants!
BONSAI FEST 2026 AT NEWARK.
Go on line to view the details of this event in March 2026. Just search “Bonsai-Fest” Now, while I
was doing this myself who did I spot in the promotional images? Answers on a post card
KEW GARDENS LIGHT SHOW
AND YET MORE GARDENING TIPS.
Take the opportunity to check, clean and sharpen your garden tools
Hard prune overgrown deciduous shrubs and hedges while they’re dormant
Insulate your outdoor taps
Clear leaves and weeds from ponds and net them to stop more falling in
Keep raking leaves off lawns so that the grass can get some sunlight
Brush heavy snow off greenhouses and cold frames to prevent damage
Make sure greenhouse heaters are providing enough heat.
COMING UP AT MBS AND REDDITCH.
The MBS AGM is tomorrow, Thursday, 4th December at 7.30 p.m.
The Redditch lunch takes place on Saturday 6th December at the Green Dragon, Sambourne at
12.00 for 12.30.
There is no Redditch meeting at Webheath this month.
Full programmes for both societies will be published as soon as possible.
The societies are considering a trip to Newstead Abbey (Lord Byron’s pile) and/or Waterperry
Gardens in 2026.
NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS.
What about trying to contribute the occasional item for the Newsletter? We should love to hear
from you.
AND.
All that remains is to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Richard and Angela Gilkes.
Wednesday 3rd December 2025.