'Come and Try Day' - learn about Bonsai
Barraba Potters and Craft Guild
“Come and Try Day”
Bonsai
Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing and shaping miniature trees in containers, (tray planting) creating a miniaturized, replica of a mature tree. It involves techniques like pruning, wiring, and repotting to grow a visually appealing bonsai.
Instructor Raelyn Smith from Tamworth Craft Shed has given an outline of suitable plants and suggestions to get your project started. Raelyn said that “The introduction to Bonsai class will be a two and a half hour, hands on course designed to provide participants with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to design and maintain bonsai. Bonsai plants require ongoing care, including pruning, watering, fertilizing and repotting, making it a rewarding and challenging hobby”.
“DO NOT buy bonsai starters or started bonsai from retail outlets. The starters are too small and the started ones are difficult to get a style at first and are too expensive. It is much more fun to get a nursery tree or something dug up and start there. You learn much more and also you are not tied to buying started trees”.
Commencing at 10.00am to 12.30pm on the 27th September, at the Barraba Fuller Gallery. BYO Bonsai Pot or $20 to purchase a pot. BYO plant to prune into shape. Potting mix supplied.
Suitable trees - Bottlebrush (Callistemon), lillypilly (small leaf), privet (small leaf), crepe myrtle (miniature types will usually have good low branch structure. (However, Diamond in the Dark tends to grow straight up in the early stages and is slow to develop), cotoneaster (even the old common one that the parrots like is a good starter), Japanese maples (not grafted. Seedlings are ideal), figs (not eating figs), Chinese elm and English elm, rosemary (surprisingly long lived and very tough), junipers, some cypress, wisteria (the small ones are much better than the old varieties).
Unsuitable trees - Trees that grow straight up (fastigiated), fruit trees and grafted trees are not suitable. NO jacaranda, tallow tree, kurrajong or willow.
Cost for the day is $10 per person.
Bookings and payment requested prior to the day.
Phone Patti on 0459 608 486 to book in and for more information.
Coffee and tea available, BYO lunch.
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