Please find attached and below our November 2025 – MBS and RBS Newsletter.

REDDITCH BONSAI
www.midlandbonsai.org www.redditchbonsai.co.uk
Edition of November 2025
EDITOR’S REMARKS.
We hope that all those attending the 50th Anniversary bash last month enjoyed the evening. We
certainly did and we thought it was a great success overall. We have certainly received some
positive feedback from some of the invited guests.
The AGM takes place in December and the Committee will be meeting in late November to
discuss any issues that you may care to raise beforehand. This gives the Committee the opportunity
to give a better response to any queries or suggestions. We shall also be considering the
programme of events for 2026 so, if there is anything that you would like to see included do let us
know. The committee meeting has been fixed for 18th November.
COMING UP AT THE MBS.
There is a slight change to the November offering. Wes will be giving a short summary of his ideas
about winter protection and if anyone else wants to offer their thoughts they would be most
welcome to do so. We shall also add an informal “Members’ Forum and Workshop” to the
evening so please come prepared in all respects.
The December meeting features the AGM followed by a QUIZ and enjoyment of any refreshments
that you may care to bring along.
COMING UP AT REDDITCH BONSAI.
Our November meeting takes place on 20th and there has been, by popular demand, a change of
subject in part. We were intending to hold a “Winter Image” event but members, having recently
enjoyed an in house show, requested a “Workshop”, so that will be the subject of the evening’s
entertainment with the Winter Image aspect restricted to the Table Display only. So, once again,
do come prepared!
There will not be a December meeting but the Christmas Lunch will take place on Saturday 6th
December. Members who have not yet advised their menu choices would please do so as soon as
possible.
GARDENING TIP OF THE MONTH.
We said that we would mention chrysanthemums this month but as our stock is yet to come to its
peak we shall leave that to next month. For now, don’t dig up the plants but cover with a mulch if
frost threatens.
We have been sowing sweet peas. They need a little bottom heat to germinate and you should plant
3 seeds to a small 3 inch pot. Nip out the growing tip once 2 pairs of leaves have formed and when
the plants are big enough plant into individual pots of a similar size. Grow them on in a greenhouse
or cold frame and plant out in the spring.
Now is a good time to lift and divide clumps of perennials which have become too
large/overcrowded. You could think about offering any spares to friends, neighbours or members!
We have some clumps of GOLDEN ROD going spare. Let us know if you want them brought to
the meeting on Thursday
You won’t be overwintering any bonsai in a heated greenhouse but you will have other specimens
which will require such protection. So, make sure that your heating device, whether paraffin or
electric is in good shape for the months to come!
BONSAI TIP OF THE MONTH.
David Cheshire was speaking to Redditch members at their last meeting about winter washing
their trees. Any number of solutions are available but a copper based one seemed to be his
preferred choice. It’s a tricky subject so whatever you use do follow the manufacturer’s
instructions to avoid disappointment.
Once the leaves have fallen from deciduous trees this gives an opportunity for such a procedure but
also for a critical look at branch structure and the possible need for refinement/pruning etc. Of
course once the leaves have fallen you should clear them off the soil surface. Feeding should
have ceased by now.
REDDITCH AT SINGLETONS CRAFT FAIR.
On the last Saturday of October Redditch Bonsai supported a Craft Fair at Singletons Nursery at
Lydiate Ash near Junction 4 of the M5.
We had attended a similar event one summer some years ago when we attracted a lot of interest
from the visiting public. The current event was, however, less well supported this year. Why that
was we know not although we suspect that the Nursery’s advertising was perhaps not as extensive
as it might have been. We were unable to find anything about the event on their website but by the
time we spotted that it was rather too late to do anything about it. But, hey, ho!, we tried! It’s a
moot point whether we have attracted any new members!
The Redditch stand at Singletons.
CHRISTMAS MEETING/RAFFLE.
Robert has asked us to remind you that he is hoping to produce a CHRISTMAS HAMPER for the
December meeting but will need your support for this by way of donations of the “usual” sort of
things you find in one. Thanks in anticipation – and if willing please bring along this month if
you would.
In the absence of any further contributions that’s your lot for this month!
Richard and Angela Gilkes. 3rd November 2025