Goal: To help each member gain in knowledge of how to develop a show-quality bonsai.

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 Members are encouraged to create a written plan describing the future development of each tree. (This is useful for tracking what works and what does not.)

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2022 Meetings and Events

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Because of the current COVID-19 situation, our January meeting will be by Zoom. We will resume meeting at the Asheville Botanical Gardens when this is possible. You will be informed by email each month and sent a Zoom link if needed.

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Jan 9 2:00 - 4:00 pm - Jonas Johnson, a talented wood-worker and a BRBS member, discussed building grow-boxes and stands of various styles.

This was a ZOOM Meeting. The recording is on the Special Notices / Recent Events page.

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Note: During the Jan. 9 meeting, we also voted to adopt the revised club by-laws presented to the membership by the Board of Directors. 

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Feb 13 - Professional horticulturist and BRBS member Sage Smith, will discuss propagation of young trees for future bonsai and will have young trees and seedlings to sell.

Place of meeting to be announced.

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Mar 13 - Two activities:

- A repotting workshop. (If we meet in person, bring a tree to repot.)

- Rob Wallace, professional ceramicist, will discuss how to match a pot to a bonsai. We visited his studio in Aug., 2021.. See the Special Notices /Recent Events page.

Place of meeting to be announced.

2021 Meetings and Events

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Our regular meeting place, the Visitors' Center at the Asheville Botanical Gardens will reopen in time for our August meeting. Because the Visitors' Center will now close at 3:00 instead of 4:00 pm, we will change our meeting times starting with the July meeting to 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

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(We can change back to 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm later if the Botanical Gardens agrees.)

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Jan. 11 -  No meeting

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Feb. 21 - Felix Laughlin led a group discussion of wintering conditions for different kinds of bonsai. This was a ZOOM Meeting.

       

MAR. 14 - No meeting..

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April 11 - Jesse McMahon discussed different styles of display stands and how to use stands effectively at bonsai shows.

This was a ZOOM Meeting.

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May 16 - Felix Laughlin discussed several often overlooked topics relating to bonsai design:

• Growth or collection of moss and its use with bonsai

• Outdoor displays

• How to successfully propagate cuttings.

This was a ZOOM Meeting.

See the Special Notices / Recent Events page for Felix's PowerPoint.

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There will be no regular meeting in June.

 

June 27, 2021 - 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm.

Young Choe's kusamono workshop. For those who have signed up in advance. We will meet at the covered Pavilion at the Etowah Golf Club at 11:45.. 

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July 18, 2021 

The meeting originally announced for this date at the Asheville Botanical Gardens has been replaced by a Bonsai, kusamono, and pot sale at Peggy and Tom Snow's house from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. 

Please note, this sale is open only to current BRBS members. A copy of Peggy's email with details of the sale can be downloaded here:

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Meeting dates and times:

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The meeting originally planned for August 8th is being replaced by the following special opportunity:

 

August 22, 2021 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Visit the studio and bonsai garden of BRBS member and bonsai pot maker Rob Wallace at

74 Hague Dr., Columbus, NC 28722 

Rob will discuss bonsai pots and do a demo. Feel free to bring friends.

See Peggy's email for more details. 

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Aug. 28 & 29 - We exhibited at the Knoxville Bonsai Society's 20th Anniversary show. 

 

DATE AND CONTENT OF THIS PLANNED 9/12  MEETING ARE BOTH CHANGED. PLEASE SEE BELOW. Originally: September 12, 2021 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Basics of kusamono. Everyone constructs a kusamono during the meeting. (You need to bring a small pot. Watch your email for more details.)

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Apologies for changing so much, but we need to change the September meeting to:

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September 19, 2021. The time and place are still from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Ashville Botanic Gardens. To comply with the current ABG rules, we will need to wear masks during our meeting. 

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Bring a tree for advice or just because it is strange or interesting or beautiful.

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Let's enjoy seeing each other in person again!​

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Just to help plan space for this meeting, please click the following link and send an email saying whether you are bringing a tree for advice and discussion:

blueridgebonsaisociety@gmail.com  

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More changes: BRBS had been invited to put on a club exhibit in the Education Building at the NC Arboretum on October 9-10. This exhibit would have replaced our regular October meeting, but we were informed on September 14th that because of rising COVID rates, the Arboretum was closing the Education Building and canceling indoor classes and activities until further notice. 

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Too bad, but we have found a worthy replacement for our October activity:

 

October 10, AT 12:00 noon, Our club met at The Bonsai Learning Center in Statesville, NC. Lunch provided at 12:00, followed by a presentation by Brad Russell on bonsai development. The Center gives classes, but also sells supplies, tools, and trees.

Watch for an email from Peggy with more details. 

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November 14, 2021 1:00 pm to 3:00pm.  

Election of officers for the next two years was held at 12:30 pm. See Peggy's email for the slate of candidates.

At 1:00 pm, Danny Coffey demonstrated an advanced topic: creating deadwood features of various kinds on bonsai with a detailed discussion of the condition of the tree and useful tools. 

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December, 2021 No regular meeting. Please go to the Winter Silhouette exhibit in Kannapolis on Dec. 45th and 5th if you can.

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