Minutes of the February 12, 2012 meeting of the Michiana Bonsai Study

Present:         My-Shaun Beam, Larry Benjamin, Maggie DeMaegd, John DeMaegd,

 Bruce Kennady,Kathy Lee, Mary Morgan, Faye Mortenson, Bob Mortenson,

 Cheryl Owens, David Rogers, Marcia Rogers, Erik Runyon, Logan Runyon,

               Sue Salach, Bob Trimmer, Thelma Trimmer, Paul Weishaar and Ruth Yeomans

Location:        Linton’s Enchanted Gardens, County Road 17, Elkhart

Snacks:         Kathy Lee   (Lots of good food for lots of people! Thank you Kathy.)

Program:       Paul Weishaar, a long-time bonsai enthusiast with an extensive résumé, presented

a program on "Choosing a Pot For Your Bonsai". He started out with a history of

bonsai pots, beginning in ancient China long before the term "bonsai" was coined

in Japan. Although there are pots for training bonsai, Paul's information was

confined to display pots. Although he listed different materials from which bonsai

pots can be made, Paul listed several basic traits which they should adhere to:

(1) All bonsai pots must have one or mre drainage holes - and no low points

   points where water can collect.

(2) All feet should touch the (flat) supporting surface.

(3) Pots should not be glazed on the inside.

(4) Ceramic pots should be high fired.

Paul then proceeded to show us, using a beautiful collection of live, potted bonsai

specimens as well as diagrams, how different style bonsai should be potted. Paul

then related pot color to specific plant types (conifers, evergreens, deciduous,

flowering and tropical specimens. He finished by giving tips on how to select the

side that should be considered the front.

PS

Indiana locations at which you can buy bonsai pots:

Bonsai by Fields, Indianapolis, 317-439-0678 (by appt. only)

Eagle Creek Bonsai, Indianapolis, 317-471-7696

Bending Branch Bonsai, Winona Lake, 574-377-9156