Category: Events

Announcement – Ryan Neil Re-Styling Demonstration March 4, 2017

Ryan Neil will conduct a re-styling of the BGLM’s Rocky Mountain Juniper to be held at the Lake Merritt Sailboat Boathouse from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Saturday, March 4, 2017. Ryan’s demonstration will be a fund-raising event in support of the Bonsai Garden Revitalization Opportunity (GRO) project. BGLM is raising $100,000 to replace worn out display and seating benches, upgrade water systems and install new pathways and windows. Your participation will help fund GRO.

Tickets are $35 each (tax deductible) and will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Tickets may be reserved by emailing [email protected] with the name of purchaser, number of tickets requested, phone number, mailing address, and email address. Once you are confirmed that there is space for you, you will be asked to mail a check or credit card number, expiration date and Zip code to GSBF BGLM, PO Box 16176, Oakland, CA 94610. Once purchased, the tickets are non-refundable.

Ryan’s first appearance as a headliner was at the 2010 GSBF Convention in Santa Clara. The tree he styled was the Rocky Mountain Juniper, which was placed in the auction and purchased by BGLM board member, Andrea Burhoe. Subsequently, Andrea donated the bonsai to the BGLM. Ryan cared for the bonsai at his studio in Oregon from 2010 to 2015, when it was moved to the Garden and placed on permanent display.

Ryan was a headliner in the most recent 2016 GSBF Convention in Sacramento. He was born and raised in Colorado, where he became interested in bonsai at an early age. He studied horticulture at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Upon graduation, he spent six years under the apprenticeship of Mr. Masahiko Kimura, “The Magician,” Japanese master of contemporary bonsai. In 2010, Ryan settled in Oregon to pursue the creation of Mirai – a prime bonsai school and nursery. In 2015, Ryan and his wife, Chelsea, hosted the first Artisans Cup at the Portland Art Museum, a one of a kind exhibition of fine bonsai. Ryan travels throughout the United States and around the world to perform demonstrations, lectures, and to judge and critique exhibits.

I hope you can be with us on Saturday, March 4th in a beautiful setting for a fun afternoon with Ryan.

Sincerely,
Joe Byrd, Chairman

VISIT OUR WEBSITE http://gsbf-lakemerritt.org

Let the workshops begin…

Dear Bonsai Enthusiasts,

Anyone possessing satsuki bonsai in their personal collections understand they require specialized care and maintenance. However, the details of proper care are often shrouded in mystery, cloaked in confusion, or simply communicated incorrectly. Our intent is to provide an alternative to this mystery and convey a solid foundation allowing you to properly maintain your satsuki throughout the year.

Having concluded the thoroughly enjoyable fall maintenance workshops, it is now time to focus on the next sequence of training. Please join us in a series of workshops specifically designed to present basic concepts and techniques relevant to the month at hand. Each session will consist of a lecture followed by a demonstration of the topics discussed during lecture. Afterward, you will apply those concepts and techniques to your own trees during the hands-on period.

Summary of workshops:

Wiring (2 days)
— Session One 1/14-15 (5 seats open) / Session Two 1/21-22 (5 seats open)
Give life and movement to branches. Learn the fundamentals necessary to developing a proper structure and shape for your satsuki bonsai.

Repotting (2 days)
— Session One 2/11-12 (3 seats open)
Correctly repotting your satsuki is the key to ensuring its long-term health. Attend this workshop to discover the key components in the repotting process.
*** With sufficient demand, an additional workshop can be scheduled.

Pruning (2 days)
— Session One 2/25-26 (6 seats open)
Building and maintaining branches involves the thoughtful management of branchlets and shoots, stimulating new growth or eliminating unnecessary growth. We’ll show you how.
*** With sufficient demand, an additional workshop can be scheduled.

Spring Maintenance (2 days)
— Session One 3/11-12 (7 seats open) / Session Two 3/18-19 (7 seats open)
The purpose of this workshop is to bring together the concepts learned in the previous wiring, repotting, and pruning workshops. As such, completing all three prior workshops is a prerequisite to attending this one.

Please note: Each workshop will be limited to 8 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis.

REGISTER 

We look forward to seeing you at a workshop. Please contact us with any questions at [email protected].

North American Satsuki Bonsai Center
20885 Redwood Road #229 Castro Valley, CA 94546

It’s coming, February 18 and 19, 2017. The biggest bonsai auction and sale ever. Auction on Saturday – includes quality old bonsai and stands from the Frank Bardella collection. Sale on Sunday – includes 18 quality vendors. Buy lunch while waiting for the auction to begin or between shopping for bonsai wares.

A FABULOUS SHOW

This year’s Spring Show was was a smashing success! Mother nature favored us with a mild Spring which provided a bounty of dazzling azaleas in full, gorgeous flower. Many visitors and members felt this was the best show ever in the quality and quantity of trees, and the presentation.

Congratulations to all who contributed in large and small ways. BASA is a terrific club for team spirit and it was on full display during the show. No slackers, despite what the above photo suggests. Special thanks to George Haas whose efforts in making our advertising for the show available early and distributed widely resulted in good attendance both days. We all have lots to be proud of.

Congratulations!!

Click to see more photos from the show

PRESIDENT’S LETTER:

Hello Everyone, Thank you all for your help in making out 2016 Azalea Show the best ever. With all your help setting up and tearing down seemed easy. Raffle ticket sales were great, but most of all the trees were truly spectacular! Beautiful flowers and lots of good comments. Through everyone’s efforts we made it possible.

There was so much interest in our trees. People were curious about the moss on top of the soil, care in hot weather, the soil we use, feeding and more. Wouldn’t it be nice if some of these curious people join our club?

We have a very special club with members willing to share their ideas and help new members learn and grow with their trees. I’m very proud of our members and the club.

– Mike