REBS 34th Annual Bonsai Show

August 26 & 27, 2017
Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building

Saturday, 26 August 2017 – 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday, 27 August 2017 – 10 am – 4 pm

Featuring Bonsai Master Artist Kathy Shaner
Bonsai demonstrations both days 1 – 3 pm

Demonstration trees to be raffled

* See the largest bonsai exhibition
* Large bonsai vendor area
* Large member trees area
* Exciting silent auctions or “buy it now”
* Free admission and parking
* Free refreshments by the Bonsai Cafe

Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building
1351 Maple Avenue
Santa Rosa, California

For information, contact Bob Shimon at
707-884-4126 or email shimon@mcn.org

– George Haas

Blast from the past!

The Redwood Empire Bonsai Society (REBS) created its first Annual Bonsai Show at the Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Rosa, California on October 21, 1984, featuring a then Club Sensei Mas Imazumi demonstration, raffle, door prizes, and no admission fee.

That first bonsai exhibition may have been displaying a small quantity of bonsai and lasting only six hours in duration. By the next year, the annual show was expanded to seven hours and featured a similar demonstration, general raffle, special raffle, plants for sale, and refreshments.

Ever since that very first bonsai show, there have been other features added, including the additional day, Sunday. A large vendors area is well stocked, where one can buy bonsai, pre-bonsai, pots, stands, suiseki, books, tools, and other bonsai related items, plus accent plants. The large members sale area offers a wide variety of bonsai, pre-bonsai, stands, pots, and more. There is the Bonsai Café that offers refreshments. There are quality bonsai, bonsai related items, wine, and other donated gifts for silent auction or “Buy It Now”.

As the club membership grew, so did the annual show. Now in its 34th year, the annual show has expanded to become the largest, single club sponsored bonsai exhibition in the US.

The 34th REBS Annual Show will take place on August 26 and 27, 2017 and features the renown, certified Master Bonsai Artist and Instructor Kathy Shaner, as Club Sensei and demonstrator. The Veterans Memorial Building main hall currently exhibits more than 200 bonsai. There are additional Shohin (bonsai less than eight inches tall) on display, as well as Suiseki (viewing stones).

Kathy Shaner will demonstrate bonsai advanced techniques on quality material, both days, from 1-3pm. Demonstration material will be raffled upon completion of each demonstration. 

Annual BBQ & Picnic Recap

REBS members at our annual picnic on July 30, 2017.

 

On Sunday, July 30, 2017, the club’s members and guests enjoyed our annual BBQ & picnic at the Lone Pine Bonsai and Gardens in Sebastopol. Ian and Janet Price have hosted the club picnic at their home and gardens since the founding of Redwood Empire Bonsai Society (REBS) more than 30 years now. The weather in July can be very hot, but on picnic day it was cool and pleasant. The picnic afforded time to relax, socialize, enjoy good food and family recipes. Bob Shimon and Ned Lycett prepared BBQ tri-tip and chicken that is always outstanding.

 

Bob Shimon, Chief Chef, working the BBQ chicken.

 

Ned Lycett, Back up Chief Chef, working with a new BBQ set.

 

There was time to observe the Price’s gardens and bonsai nursery. Also, it was a good time to shop for bonsai and that perfect accent plant.

The picnic comes every year about one month before REBS’ annual bonsai show. So, it was a good time to have a conversation about who is showing what, obtain member sale tags for selling bonsai related items and bring up the subject of show tree forms, which provide our club sensei Kathy Shaner with a photo and description of all the show trees to be put on display. There is still time to make your decision on which trees to display, which to sell or donate and complete the essential forms.

This year we have a board meeting and general meeting before the annual show. These will take place on August 22, 2017, from 6:30 – 7:30 PM and 7:30 – 9:30 PM, respectively. That is a good date to set as a deadline for completing and turning over your forms. By the way, Kathy Shaner will be the demonstrator on August 22, and available to answer any questions you might have about the annual show.

– George Haas

 

REBS members enjoying a plate of BBQ and family recipes at our annual picnic.

 

 

REBS Display at Enmanji Buddhist Temple

Bonsai Display for the 63rd Enmanji Buddhist Temple Chicken Teriyaki and Bazaar.

On Saturday afternoon, a small Redwood Empire Bonsai Society (REBS) contingency of members, led by Art Kopecky, met at the Enmanji Buddhist Temple in Sebastopol, California, in order to set-up a bonsai display in preparation for all day Sunday, July 9, 2017 63rd Chicken Teriyaki and Bazaar.

REBS has been participating in the Enmanji Buddhist Temple’s annual event for many years. It is a wonderful opportunity to promote the art of bonsai and club membership. In addition, information is provided for REBS up-coming August 34th Annual Bonsai Show.

The bonsai display is small, about 15 to 20 bonsai and additional accent plants. In addition, a working space is provided for the members to perform light work on their trees.

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Decandling Pines Demonstration

On June 27, 2017, Redwood Empire Bonsai Society (REBS) held its monthly meeting at the Luther Burbank Art & Garden Center, Santa Rosa, California, with guest bonsai artist, instructor and author Jonas Dupuich, who led a demonstration and discussion on the decandling of pines.

Decandling was defined as the technique for the removal of spring growth (candles) from pines in order to stimulate a second push of growth in the summer months.

The time period for decandling pines is in the middle of the growing season and dependent upon the weather and environmental conditions. For example, in the State of Washington decandling will take place in early spring (May, June), and in the State of Texas it would take place later in mid-summer (late June, July). In the San Francisco/Bay Area, decandling usually is done in early June and July. Timing relates to the amount of growing season remaining after decandling to help the second push of new growth.

Jonas discussed the purpose of decandling pines as follows:

1.  Stimulate back budding
2.  Improve branch density
3.  Shorten internodes
4.  Regulate vigor
5.  Promote balance
6.  Reduce needle length

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