Minutes of the March 13, 2011 meeting of the Michiana Bonsai Study :

Site:                   Home of Larry Benjamin, Bristol, IN

Present:             Larry Benjamin + guests Nancy & Larry Ringle

John Demaegd + guest Barb

Kathy Lee

Mary Morgan

Susan Salach

Notes:

Our meeting commenced with conversation and food. We then adjourned to Larry's garage where we began the construction of our hypertufa pots. Everyone present made at least one pot. Construction included the use of :

Tools: 2 wheelbarrows, a shovel and a garden hoe (for mixing), tables (to provide a good working height), a sieve (for screening the peat), a scoop and bucket (for measuring out the cement) and a hose (to supply water).

Materials: one mold per pot, Portland cement, perlite, peat, synthetic reinforcing fibers, an acrylic bonding agent, various cylindrical tubes (for drainage holes) and rubber gloves. [Kathy also used a coloring agent.)

The pots we made included a variety of shapes and sizes. Barb lined her mold with leaves ro create an interesting surface relief. It was suggested that we all bring our creations to a future meeting to share our results. (Watch for news of that as the year progresses.)