My Monday Senior Crew and I organized a special celebration to commemorate the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. Rochester, New York, was in the direct path of totality for the solar eclipse as it stretched across 15 states. Schools closed as well as many businesses, including Wegmans for about an hour.
As usual the Monday Senior Crew began arriving at 8:30 am to assist me. We prepared the plants, containers, soil, wire, and display for the Introductory Bonsai Course which began at 7:00 pm. The group organized an eclipse picnic luncheon, as we often do on special occasions. Of course, we all had to stop working to partake in our traditional “doughnut thirty” (10:30 am break.) Following this, the luncheon was prepared. Included was: eclipse soup, chili, shrimp cocktail, a cheese and cracker tray, tuna stuffed red peppers, cornbread, salad, sumo oranges, key lime and chocolate pie. Everyone contributed goodies for this special luncheon. There were about 12 of us dining together in the bonsai studio at 12:30 pm, along with two dogs and two cats. The house cat did not want to join us. Of course, we served three types of moon pies and four flavors of sun chips.
A few days earlier two friends took 15 Dawn Redwoods established in one-gallon pots which were root bound. Each tree, which ranged from about 12-18 inches, with a couple reaching two feet in height. After the base of the trunks were found the root balls were cut back to about two inches thick. They were much easier to handle than before trimming. Each tree had their reduced root balls teased out and then a basic root trimming. The tops of the trees were not touched. Each tree was then soaked in water with Superthrive and HB 101. Finally, the root balls were shrink wrap to maintain moisture to the excellent fibrous feeder roots. All the Dawn Redwoods were the same age and there was not too much variation in trunk diameters and heights. They were then graded to size by the trunk diameters, as the tops could be easily pruned. Each tree was numbered and kept in a cool garage until the group demo. I have a couple of tricks to create the appearance of thicker trunks.
Everything was prepared outdoors where there should have been an optimal viewing area to stare at the wonderful vent, with special glasses for eye protection. Unfortunately, we had cloudy skies and the glasses were not necessary. The day before the eclipse and the day after were clear and with no clouds but warm blue skies. But the clouds did not deter us from having fun and enjoying the historic event. Since the next total solar eclipse is not due to happen in Rochester, New York, until 2144, and I doubt we will be attending.
Each member planted a tree, and my final tree represented five people who could not attend due to medical problems. Just look at all the smiling faces as they contributed their tree to the large forest in the plastic training tray. The trees were not trimmed back because the crowding branches help to stabilize the trees while planting. Also, some of the soil was moistened to make it heavier. A few of the root balls were trimmed to place them closer together. Annealed copper wire was used to tie the trees into the tray and to hold a few trunks close together. Sheet moss was quickly planted to help stabilize the trees, but it will be replaced when the entire composition is completed. It will probably take me two hours to complete.
We were fast working to try to finish before the darkness came upon us. We were a few minutes late and the last trimming, not the final, was performed in the complete and total darkness. The actual time is recorded in each photo so the speed could be watched. Fortunately, most friends had flashlights on their mobile phones so we could continue to finish. I have never seen it so dark before, and it suddenly became quiet with the birds stopping singing. Our two dogs wanted to go inside the house for protection or go to bed.
It was a surreal event, and we are all glad it worked out so well. Marc Arpag was the official photographer.
To complete this special celebration, we designed a special display in the indoor alcove. A golden full MOON maple was the principle item for display. A unique solar MOON eclipse hanging scroll was created and displayed, while the accessory was a black crescent MOON vase with contorted willow and a couple of sun flowers for color and mass. The vase was positioned on two round thin discs, one brown and the other black. Even the display table for the bonsai was carefully selected for its MOON shape designs on the two sides. Although not a traditional display this was designed to celebrate the solar eclipse.
It was a full delightful day and evening, and I finally ate dinner at 1:00 am. Then watched a recorded TV coverage of the solar eclipse event. I hope you all enjoyed reviewing our celebration as much as we had organizing and completing the event.
