REDDITCH BONSAI
www.midlandbonsai.org www.redditchbonsai.co.uk
Edition of late February 2025.
Editor’s remarks.
Well, I am afraid that it has not been such a good start to the year here. I contracted a
bit of a cough in early January and that developed into the virulent Influenza A
which is going around. This put me in hospital for a few days and the whole thing
has left me a bit washed out to say the least.
We did however manage to get a programme put together for the MBS and it’s hoped
that this will be something that you can all warm to as the year progresses. We still
have to finalise the Redditch programme but we are getting there and as I write it’s
hoped that it will be completed and agreed by all at the AGM due on 20th February.
Late in January we were approached by Malcolm Hughes wearing his FOBBS hat.
You may remember that they run a New Talent competition, in fact we seem to
remember that one or two of our members may have taken part in the past. Malcolm
asked whether we would mind if FOBBS ran this year’s competition alongside our
Annual Show in June. His proposal was to try and persuade the Botanical Gardens to
allow the use of the bar area between the two main function rooms for this exercise,
so that their activities would not take up any space that we might otherwise be using
in our hall. The Committee were asked to consider this and have agreed that
Malcolm’s proposal be acceded to. He has been asked to liase with Show Secretary
Dave Attwood to move things along.
Coming up at the MBS.
March 6th is the date for the next meeting and features Repotting and Root pruning.
If we are correct David Cheshire will be helping out at this meeting.
Coming up at Redditch Bonsai.
As mentioned above we have the AGM this coming Thursday 20th February and we
hope that this edition will be published before then and that as many current
members as possible will attend. Redditch has never been as large in membership
terms as the MBS and unfortunately we have lost a number of members recently for
one reason or another. Efforts have been made to garner new people but it’s just not
that easy and frankly of late people have tended to drift in and then drift out again
quite quickly. It’s all very disappointing. No-one wants to see the Society fold but
Treasurer Wes is getting quite despondent about the whole thing. You will hear what
he has to say on Thursday.
The meeting will accordingly comprise:- 1. The AGM, 2. Discussion about the 2025
programme, 3.Discussion about the future,,and 4. If there is time a look at any trees
brought along by members,
Bonsai tip of the month.
Due to my indisposition I have hardly been outside in this cold weather, but I have
managed to keep my trees watered and sheltered from the worst of the weather. It’s
time to think about re-potting. Make sure that you have all the soils that you require
and have clearly identified all the trees which you wish to deal with this year. We
know that some members keep meticulous notes about each tree in their collection
but we are afraid that doesn’t include us! We do however know which trees were
re-potted in years gone by so when the time comes we can make decisions about this
year based not only on the individual tree’s performance in 2024 but also its potting
history.
Gardening tip of the month.
We are growing quite a few Amaryllis this year and they have now been in the
relative warmth of the dining room for several weeks and are already developing
flower stalks. We are hoping for a good display. Keep them reasonably well watered
and give a regular feed.
If you have them in the garden then get outside and enjoy the snowdrops! Ours are
just coming into flower although they have been threatening to do so for some time
now. It’s just been too cold for them. Another favourite is the Spring Snowflake,
Lecojum Vernum – which is also appearing just now. Garden centres may sell these
in small pots of 4/5 bulbs and they can be good value giving instant flowering if
planted now.
We made a short burst down to the allotment earlier in the week and found enough
daffodils to make a splendid display, although they took a few days to actually
blossom in the vase.
Time to order seeds, and other “stuff” for the coming year. Try Chiltern Seeds for the
former – they have an excellent and very extensive catalogue.
Here’s a picture of a lovely little tree given to Alex at Christmas. It may already of
course have been displayed at either the January or February meeting. I see that I am
not the only one who sometimes forgets to take the price tag off!
(There was also a copy of Peter Adams’s “The Art of Bonsai” which, although a bit
long in the tooth now, still has a wealth of good advice etc within!)
Websites.
It looks as if we missed off the address of a couple of websites when we published
the January supplement.
To put that right, here they are:-
- Deadwood (January)
https://www.bonsaiempire.com/basics/stylingdeadwood - Soils (February)
https://www.bonsaiempire.com/basics/bonsai-care/bonsai-soil
All day workshop.
We are, as you will have already read in the supplementary Newsletter in January,
thinking /proposing to organise an all day Workshop at the Cricket Club, probably
on a Sunday.
Is anyone interested? Do please let us know as soon as possible. The Cricket Club
have agreed to allow the use of the room, so if there enough members interested it’s
just a question of organising a date.
We look forward to hearing from you.
This event would also be open to Redditch members.
Membership update.
Your membership secretary, Teanah, would really like to hear from all those 2024
members who have not yet committed to 2025 and paid their subscription. So, do get
in touch and let her know your intentions. You know who you are! Teanah is missing
you!
New arrangements.
Your Committee would like to hear from you if you have any comments or
suggestions about the new approach to monthly meetings.
Advertising.
We regret to say that we have not yet received, as far as we know, any “entries” or
suggested designs for the proposed car sticker. Does no-one have an idea or three for
this venture?
Trip to Cottered Japoanese Garden and elsewhere.
This day out to Cottered is scheduled for May 25th. Teanah is organising things for us
and we are sure that she will soon be in touch to set out her full proposals for the day.
M.B. This trip is of course open to both MBS and Redditch members
Judging by comments made about the venue by David Cheshire your participation
will be well rewarded.
Teanah has also been trying to organise a return trip to the Bonsai expert, John Pitt in
Derbyshire. We are afraid that she has unfortunately drawn a blank here, as it
appears that John has “retired” from all things Bonsai.
Malcolm Beach’s Bluebell Walk.
As you will also see from your programme Malcolm is proposing to lead a jaunt
around the back of the Lickey Hills to view the bluebells when in flower. This will
be on the first Saturday of the month of May which is 3rd May So, the month will be
a busy one.
We (A and I) took part in the last outing a couple of years ago and thoroughly
enjoyed the afternoon as Malcolm has a wealth of knowledge about the natural
world which he is only too happy to impart.
We would urge members to support this initiative by Malcolm.
Accordingly please let us know if you are interested in participating.
If we are not mistaken the afternoon will start from Birmingham Road, Lydiate Ash,
near Singletons Nursery. This road is now pretty quiet and parking should not be a
problem.
R and A Gilkes. Ed. February 14th 2025.