A great article, well worth a read. The Swirl and it’s in English 🙂
Monthly Archives: February 2013
Gadgets !
I’m a firm believer in supporting your local business. Having seen these turntables and bending bars, I thought it was well worth giving this site a plug here on the blog for those of us in the UK, and I suppose further afield too. Click on the gadgets 4 Bonsai image to visit the site.
Sunday’s Workshop
Sunday’s Willowbog Workshop with Peter started with the usual ‘sit down and discuss ‘ of all the main trees to be worked on during the day. We had six participants on the day plus our junior member Jamie, was was there to observe and assist as needed. He worked pretty hard on the day as it turned out and there was me thinking all teenagers were lazy!
The initial chat about the trees is a great way for everyone to learn a little more, even if it’s not their tree. It is a popular segment for members.
As the day progressed we saw a lot of repotting taking place. Two maples a Chamaecyparis and an Elm featured strongly. Towards the end of the day the carving tools came out and the sawdust was flying.
Alan’s Elm before repotting
Should it stay branch?
John’s Juniper
Stephen’s Maple before potting
nice
Alan’s Chamaecyparis before work
Geraldine’s Maple before potting
Piotr’s Juniper before repotting
The now famous opening discussion
Spot Waldo again 😉
Stephen begins the repot
Alan gets stuck in
John Black Pine getting some attention.
I’m making sure we have it all on video
Ben preserving the deadwood on his maple
PPiotr repotting his Southern Beech
Geraldine starts the maple
discussion
Get to it John
Jamie assisting Geraldine in the repot
Teamwork
explaining root selection on nebari
it’s all go
Ben’s Hazel before carving
the new pot
Larry Grayson, ‘Shut that door!’
Sale tree for Ben 🙂
Watch the new carpet
Alan’s Chamaecyparis getting potted
for scale
Wired in
Alan moves on to the Elm
John’s Juniper carving
Helping Geraldine with a tricky Larch
More coffee for Stephen
Piotr on his 4th tree 🙂
Potted up
The longest repot in history!
study
really nice
Ben’s Maple pot virtual to follow soon.
Ready for the pot at last.
dust flying
audience ready to learn
Jamie’s mother’s Day Presents
Stuffing his face 😀
Piotr’s slab project
Alan’s Elm potted
Clay wall on the slab.
getting the mix in
work commences on the Hazel
smile!
finer work
Piotr’s potted
nice image
Hazel after
detail
more detail
Piotr’s Juniper potted
Alan’s Chamaecyparic potted
the aftermath!!
Stephen’s maple potted
Saturday’s Willowbog School
I’m only getting time now to have a look at what photos I have taken over the weekend. It’s been a hectic but rewarding last 5 days both in my bonsai life and in my work life, however a little sleep would be nice about now 
I have already reblogged a few related blogs from friends who were there, but now it’s my turn.
Peter arrived on Friday and it was good to have a catch up and a glass of vino before the hordes descended on the Saturday morning. We decided to leave unpacking the van until the morning. As we walked out the door at 7am to get started, the snow started to fall.Must be a Willowbog left over 🙂 It didn’t amount to much but I was glad we had made a few additions to the heating of the garage for this school.
We got the trees out in record time and Roy B was first to arrive for the pre-school browse. Others soon arrived and pots seemed to be in demand as expected.
The school got underway and and Peter talked though the events of the last months, namely the Noelanders Trophy and then the Ryan Neil weekend. During the day we covered topics such as wiring, Larch bonsai, seasonal tasks, a repotting recap, and much more besides.
The day was a great success, with the only problem being the lock on my back door breaking and everyone being locked out! Photos can be seen HERE on Michael’s blog.
Roy browsing in the cold
rubbing hands in the cold or in excitement
others arrive to get a look around
getting underway
Peter in full flow
Young Jamie getting his legs roasted on the heater
Can you spot Waldo?!
Some sundries for sale
Focus on Larches
Captured on video
Michael moves in on the heat.
John reading one of 3 handouts on the day.
The first NI Bonsai Society School of the year started with a very good turnout on a cold February day. As usual Peter Snart was our guest speaker. The schedule for the day included a general discussion on personal trees and winter experiences and as usual was very interesting. This was followed with some refresher information on wiring and re-potting and even though many would consider this “Old Hat” or “Novice Territory” Peter gave some very useful tips particularly on the subject of preparation when re-potting.
Its always nice to get a pic of Peter looking bemused and non-plussed. It’s never that difficult to get one.
His more intelligent look. This can be quite difficult to get.
Viewing the merchandise at the break
There was a bit of a drama at the break as the handle/lock on Ian’s patio door broke when the door was closed. As this is the main…
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Here is the start of our Sunday Workshop. As alway Peter talks through everyones tree, or trees, that are to be worked on.
It might not look like it, but I can’t wait to get started.
And this is why. My latest acquisition a Japanese Mountain maple in a Clumpstyle.The tree need a repot so this was my,very pleasant, workshop tree.
This is the tree back home the next morning. I will be posting more on this tree over the next few days. But a great weekend, both the school on sat and the sunday workshop. Many thanks to Ian for hosting the school-workshop,and to peter-Willowbog Bonsai for all his effort and his teaching.
Well it really was a great show this year; well to be truthful it is a great show every year. I cannot really imagine just how much work Paul and his team of helpers has to do before opening the doors.
I actually exhibited myself this year. After all these years being interested in Bonsai I had a tree included in a professional event. My first! Seemed quite odd really watching people taking pictures of my exhibit, and to some extent quite humbling really. Well, the time flew by, meeting friends of old and many new ones as well. I managed to keep my hands in my pocket but could not resist a new Tony Remington pot for ‘Stumpy.’ That is the Maple I dug up a few years ago from the garden. I’ll update once I repot in a couple of weeks time.
Oh well, enough waffle; I hope…
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The Latest Episode
Willowbog Sunday Workshop
Peter starting off our Sunday workshop by talking through the trees to be worked on. Still cold outside but going to be an enjoyable day.
Afternoon Session
Species spotlight on Larch. Peter still in full flow.
Bonsai Eejit 