THIS MONTH'S MEETING: September's meeting will be held (as usual) at the Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center on Shady Avenue on Friday, Sept 19 at 7pm. (Please note the change in meeting night.) We will be hosting Mr. Guy Guidry from New Orleans. Guy is an excellent lecturer and we've enjoyed his programs several times in the past. Guy will be doing a lecture/demonstration using (probably) a boulevard cyprus. On Saturday, Sept 20 from 9-12, Guy will be leading a workshop using (most likely) boxwoods. I'm sorry to be so vague about the materials, but Guy has been out of town for the past week, and I've not been able to confirm what he's bringing for us to work on and I can't hold up the newsletter much longer! Consequently, I can only guess at the cost of the workshop, but we should be able to get hold of Guy before you receive this newsletter, so if you're interested in signing up for the workshop, call Bob or me and we'll have the details. Plan to come and join us for what promises to be an enjoyable and informative meeting and a productive workshop
NEXT MONTH'S MEETING: October's meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, October 15 at the Garden Center. We are in the process of revising the meeting topics for the rest of the year, so I'm not quite sure what we'll be doing in October. We're trying to arrange for another workshop, probably in November, so the programs are being reshuffled. I'm sure we'll know what we're doing by next month, so watch for the next newsletter.
BEGINNING BONSAI CLASSES: Once again, Keith Scott is offering beginner classes in Bonsai open to anyone interested in learning the basics. The classes are held at the Swissvale Senior Citizens' Center in the basement of the Swissvale Public Library on the corner of McClure and Monongehela Streets, Swissvale. Although the classes started last Tuesday, Sept 9 they will continue throughout the fall and it's not too late to join. They are free to the public. You must provide your own materials. For more information, contact Keith Scott or Evelyn Christie.
NEW MEMBERS: We have several new members who joined during the Spring Weekend, as well as some members who had joined the Society earlier in the year through their participation in Keith's Tuesday night classes. Please take every opportunity to make them feel welcome. If you don't know someone, just introduce yourself. You may be introducing yourself to a charter member, but that's OK, you need to get to know them too!
SEPTEMBER BONSAI CHORES: Are your trees starting to turn color yet? Pine needles browning? Dormancy is coming, but it's not here yet. Trees will need to be watered, sprayed if necessary, and even fertilized. Cut back on nitrogen now, and cut way back in October. Now is not the time to prune heavily or defoliate. The trees will have to store the energy from their leaves in the fall. After they are dormant you can prune. Start thinking about winter storage for all those new plants you got this year. It is also a good time to check all of your trees for wire that may be cutting in, if you haven't already. Remember to take the wire off as carefully as you put it on. Aluminum wire 2 mm or less can be unwrapped. If you can find one, get a surgical needle holder. It's li'.ce a hemostat (roach clip) but has stronger, shorter jaws, and it will clamp onto the wire. Grab the end of the wire and unwrap away from the branch without rubbing the bark with the wire. You will have to hold the branch and wire just beyond where you are unwrapping so it doesn't twist, just like when you put the wire on. Larger wire will have to be cut off. Use a bonsai wire cutter with a flat end so you don't mark the bark.
PROJECTED MEETING SCHEDULE 1997
HELP WANTED: As noted above, I'm looking for someone to coordinate the Holiday Party to be held on December 15. Due to increased commitments elsewhere this year, I will be unable to do it. Please call Rose Grealish if you're willing to take it over. It doesn't require too much work, just some advance planning.