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Visit our Facebook Auction Group.
BCI Members and Friends,
Thank you to all of the donators and participants in our last BCI Auction in May. Each and every one of you was responsible for its great success!
We have decided to make the BCI Everything Auction an annual November fundraiser.
We do hope that everyone will help support BCI through their donations and their bids!
Like many organizations all over the world, we are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic and need to continue to fundraise, to be able to offer the high-quality magazine you expect every quarter.
So please donate and bid on these great items!
Frank Mihalic, BCI President
Members, all BCI friends, and the general public are welcome to join
Everything Bonsai Auction Group on Facebook.
Last auction we had over 100 unique bonsai-related items from 40+ donors.
Is it time to clean out your closet? Donate here.
We are accepting donations until November 12th
Important Dates:
Our next auction starts on November 19 at 00:00 UTC and ends on November 26 at 23:00 UTC.
(To find out the time in your time zone, visit https://dayspedia.com/time/
Enter your location to find out when the auction starts in your area or use this guide.)
Contact BCI Office with questions about the Online Auction.
One Plant Becomes Two
Another possibility for reproducing parental plants is the air layering technique, which consists of encouraging new roots to grow at a certain point of a branch or trunk. The ideal timing for layering is as soon as the plant is in full growth, i.e., in late spring or early summer. There will still be enough time for the roots to grow, and after the tree is cut, there will be enough time for the new tree to grow before hibernation.
The actual technique works as follows: First, I determine the ideal position of the new roots. Second, with a sharp knife I cut two circles around that specific point into the bark of the trunk or branch. The cut needs to be made deep into the cambium, which can be recognized by its thin, slimy, mostly light green layer below the bark, when you remove it. The bark strip is then taken off and should be the same width as the diameter of the layered branch, which should be one to two centimeters thick. If the diameter is significantly thicker, the strip can be slightly thinner.
bonsai
The freshly removed bark strip with scraped cambium .
After taking off the bark, I carefully scrape the
cambium layer with a knife. If scraping is not carried
out precisely, the tree could grow a callus. This happened
to me with the apple tree. Do not eliminate the cambium
with branch cutters, as that would mean penetrating
deeper into different levels of the tree and reducing the
live veins, which transport water with nutrients of vital
importance, from bottom to top. It is possible, that the
entire part, intended to be layered, dies off.
For the root growth, the use of specific rooting
hormones could be useful. They can be applied by
means of a toothbrush, and a bigger quantity of rooting
hormones will stay on the decorticated part. Then I
apply sphagnum moss.
I also tried with different kinds of moss, sometimes
it works, however, the biggest success is achieved with
sphagnum moss.
It should not be too dry or too humid. Take a handful
of it, dip it into water and squeeze it in order to eliminate
most of the water, and have a damp cloth.
bonsai
The freshly removed bark strip with scraped cambium .
After taking off the bark, I carefully scrape the
cambium layer with a knife. If scraping is not carried
out precisely, the tree could grow a callus. This happened
to me with the apple tree. Do not eliminate the cambium
with branch cutters, as that would mean penetrating
deeper into different levels of the tree and reducing the
live veins, which transport water with nutrients of vital
importance, from bottom to top. It is possible, that the
entire part, intended to be layered, dies off.
For the root growth, the use of specific rooting
hormones could be useful. They can be applied by
means of a toothbrush, and a bigger quantity of rooting
hormones will stay on the decorticated part. Then I
apply sphagnum moss.
I also tried with different kinds of moss, sometimes
it works, however, the biggest success is achieved with
sphagnum moss.
It should not be too dry or too humid. Take a handful
of it, dip it into water and squeeze it in order to eliminate
most of the water, and have a damp cloth.
bonsai
July, 2014 - Many new roots are visible through the film.
The root ball was prepared for cutting off by carefully
unwrapping the film. I position the moist moss around the circle. I close the entire package with a transparent film—a normal, cling film used at home. I fix it either with the film itself or by means of a wire. Obviously, you can use any other type of plastic wrap. The important thing is that the moss ball keeps the moisture inside.
Some bonsai experts have had good results with
dark film, however, I have not noticed any significant
difference. Should it stay quite some time on the trunk or branch, I usually sprinkle it with water if necessary, for example with a syringe. I prefer the cling film, as it allows me to observe the condition of the moss and to spot the development of new roots. Therefore, I am able to decide the moment, when enough roots have grown, and time will be right for sawing the layered part. For that passage I do not need to move the film. Usually, this happens after one or two months. That is actually a very intense moment, accompanied by palpitations.
bonsai
July, 2014 - Many new roots are visible through the film.
The root ball was prepared for cutting off by carefully
unwrapping the film. I position the moist moss around the circle. I close the entire package with a transparent film—a normal, cling film used at home. I fix it either with the film itself or by means of a wire. Obviously, you can use any other type of plastic wrap. The important thing is that the moss ball keeps the moisture inside.
Some bonsai experts have had good results with
dark film, however, I have not noticed any significant
difference. Should it stay quite some time on the trunk or branch, I usually sprinkle it with water if necessary, for example with a syringe. I prefer the cling film, as it allows me to observe the condition of the moss and to spot the development of new roots. Therefore, I am able to decide the moment, when enough roots have grown, and time will be right for sawing the layered part. For that passage I do not need to move the film. Usually, this happens after one or two months. That is actually a very intense moment, accompanied by palpitations.
bonsai
While sawing the tree top it is important to hold the tree firmly.
I cut the new tree just below the new root ball.
Cradling the new tree in my hands reminds me of
the emotion I felt when I first held my children in my
arms. The feeling was not as strong, of course, but it was similar. The next step is usually to carefully eliminate the external moss. Depending on the quantity of new roots, I cut superfluous branches in order to create a balance between roots and foliage.
The prepared tree is planted together with the
remaining moss in a cultivation pot. While fixing the
tree, I am not allowed to lay the fixing wires over the
roots— as it happens with mature bonsai—but I fix the tree by wiring the trunk or the strong branches. The tree should not wobble or be loose; it is better to apply one more wire if necessary.
The result does not necessarily have to be beautiful,
it only has to fulfil its purpose. I put the tree in a protected, sunny place, and allow it to grow freely.
bonsai
While sawing the tree top it is important to hold the tree firmly.
I cut the new tree just below the new root ball.
Cradling the new tree in my hands reminds me of
the emotion I felt when I first held my children in my
arms. The feeling was not as strong, of course, but it was similar. The next step is usually to carefully eliminate the external moss. Depending on the quantity of new roots, I cut superfluous branches in order to create a balance between roots and foliage.
The prepared tree is planted together with the
remaining moss in a cultivation pot. While fixing the
tree, I am not allowed to lay the fixing wires over the
roots— as it happens with mature bonsai—but I fix the tree by wiring the trunk or the strong branches. The tree should not wobble or be loose; it is better to apply one more wire if necessary.
The result does not necessarily have to be beautiful,
it only has to fulfil its purpose. I put the tree in a protected, sunny place, and allow it to grow freely.
bonsai
| Order your copy of Bonsai Shohin Passion: | English Version | Italian Version | French Version |
David
Nguy
He has been referred to by the Golden State Bonsai Federation (Southern California) as “Mr. California Juniper II.” .
David Nguy has been referred to by the Golden State Bonsai Federation (Southern California) as “Mr. California Juniper II.”
David Nguy has been referred to by the Golden State Bonsai Federation (Southern California) as “Mr. California Juniper II.”
David Nguy the current Co-Chairman of Golden State Bonsai Federation and Co-Chairman of the Golden State Bonsai Federation Convention 2019 . In two consecutive years, David Nguy was the headliner of Golden State Bonsai Federation Convention. Every year he has done the demonstration for the Golden State Bonsai Federation Convention.
In 2019, David traveled to Philippines and Vietnam to do demos, workshops, and judge. During his trip to Quezon City, Philippines he was able to judge and do demonstrations at the 9th Annual National Bonsai and Suiseki Show. In Vietnam, he traveled nationally through Vietnam to teach Bonsai demonstrations and workshops to local clubs such as the Vietnamese Conifer Club and Ha Noi Black Pine Club.
Contest Details
Entries will be accepted until Decemember 31, 2021.
Winner will recieve a BCI Excellence Medal and BCI Excellence Certificate.
Subjects for videos suitable for BCI members
Beginners how-to for bonsai and stones.
Advanced techniques for bonsai and stones.
Endemic species or types of stones to that particular country or region.
Photo-essay on before-and-after process of making a bonsai or presenting a stone.
Collector’s bonsai studio or stone collection.
Bonsai and Stone exhibits around the world.
Critiques of exhibits.
Tours of gardens and museums that are bonsai and stone related.
Videos of demonstrations at conventions by Bonsai artists.
Guidelines for Videos
High definition MP4 is a prerequisite.
Authors must have copyright to video and audio.
Sharing videos already available on social media must have prior consent from the author.
1 minute to a maximum of 20 minutes in length.
Sub-titles in English.
Videos to provide information and education.
Suitability of videos to be determined by Education Committee.