The MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies held their annual spring festival on April 19-21, 2024, at the Holiday Inn in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The group is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the art of bonsai through its annual regional spring festival, which moves locations close to its members societies. It is comprised by the Bergen Bonsai Society, Bonsai Society of Greater Hartford, Bonsai Society of the Lehigh Valley, Pioneer Valley Bonsai Society, Brandywine Bonsai Society, Deep Cut Bonsai Society, Great Swamp Bonsai Society, Mohawk-Hudson Bonsai Society, Pennsylvania Bonsai Society, Susquehanna Bonsai Club and the Yama Ki Bonsai Society.

Headliners for this year’s Bonsai Festival were Boon Manakitivipart, Sergio Cuan and Ralph Torres. The educational event included lecture-demonstrations, workshops, a vendor area, critiques of the exhibit representing bonsai from each organization. A few select photos are shared below.

I’ve been training this Japanese larch, Larix kaempferi, from a two- year bare root seedling for about six years. It has been trained in the two-line cascade style in a small square white glazed container. This preferred front is shown here but the back view of this bonsai is acceptable and might be used in a shohin bonsai composition if a different direction is required for eve movement Generally, I do not prefer tall cascade containers, primarily because I can’t figure out how to effectively display them…

Before potting-front

The original container is Japanese and did service well for the training years. But now is the time for an upgrade. I like to put good trees in good containers. The container quality was not up to my taste for a proper exhibition presentation.

Before potting- back

Container selection is very personal and important for creating an aesthetically pleasing bonsai impact. There are many factors to consider when choosing the “right” container including:

Size 

Shape 

Color 

Texture

Horticultural requirements to successfully keep the tree alive (both in winter and summer) 

Purpose (to sell or keep the bonsai)

How the bonsai is going to be displayed

Season for display is important. A deciduous species might look good in winter in a shallow container but not be massive enough in summer full leaf. I have several different containers of various colors for one bonsai and often the color is determined by the accessory color of the container or for composing a box table shohin bonsai display. 

Finally consider the quality and respect the bonsai 

Before potting- back

This topic is rarely discussed, as most hobbyists just want to keep the tree alive in the “correct” size, shape and color container. However, consider the quality as well. I can use an inexpensive $20 container or a finer quality $200 container. And, probably 80% of the bonsai hobbyists could not see the difference and most don’t even care or consider it important. 

However, we are attempting to raise the level of bonsai and many subtle little-known factors are important, which beginners, as well as seasoned growers don’t realize or understand. They don’t have the background, taste or understanding to make such distinctions. They do select and use containers and teach. Of course, personal taste is important. Many times, I must think about the selection process, often putting several containers in front of the bonsai for several days or a week.

My apprentice, Brian Whitcomb wired the tree, and I made the final adjustments. But he used so much wire, which was necessary, on the tree that it would not stand upright. Annealed copper wire IS heavy, so a specific suitable container must be selected. I searched my studio and found a few containers, then two friends who have excellent taste went upstairs to my “special secret stash” and brought down several more. Later, another friend came downstairs with another container. I’m not allowed to go upstairs alone… All together we had over 15 suitable containers. Not all are shown here. Please note the small stone inserted to keep the tree upright during the selection process. My personal thoughts and tastes are included.

Container 2: American from Teresa Wooden from Michigan. The size and shape are good, but the painted dragon is a bit too colorful for this narrow leaf evergreen. I would use it for a flowering or fruiting species. Fine quality.

Container 5: Japanese container. Again, the size and shape are acceptable, even if a bit too large. And the bright blue glaze would contrast in early spring with the young emerging needs, But not the image for this tree. I do, however use blue glazed containers for this deciduous conifer. Fine quality.

Container 6: Japanese container of Tokoname-ware. I like the design and clay color; however, the container is a bit too deep for me. Very fine quality.

Container 7: Chinese production container. Size, and shape are good along with the rope belt design, but the yellow glaze is not the image I’m trying to present. Good quality.

Container 8: Japanese production container from Tokoname. Not all bonsai containers from Tokoname are high quality. Tokoname is well known for sewer tiles and tea pots. I could live with this container, but it is not the quality I’m looking for. Not high quality and thin.

Container 10: Japanese Tokoname ware from the Bigei Kiln. Every factor is perfect with this selection, except the size is too large. Very fine quality.

Container 11: Japanese production container. Size and shape are acceptable, but the color is too bright, besides this container has a prominent out lip which I prefer for deciduous species. But please consider I’m quite picky and have developed specific refinement tastes during my over 60 years of bonsai study. Although I do often use outer lip containers for evergreen species.

I must mention that ALL these containers would be suitable.

So, which one did I finally use? A round, unglazed container my third friend found. I also have photos on the table selections for a future time.

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.