Natter night 29th January 2018.

Once again Ken was the only one to bring a tree, this nice Scots Pine, which he thought needs to be repotted.

At first glance it looks like the tree is being pushed out of the pot by the roots, but on closer inspection it was just the moss growing quite thick on the surface of the compost.

We removed the moss and had a look at the compost which seems to be breaking down quite a lot. so it will be repotted when the weather is right.

Sorry, no after photo.

Extention needed.

I think if as normal I buy as many pots as usual at the Noelanders show, I will need to build an extention to my pot cabinet.

Nearly full, but not quite.

Not long now.

It is not far away now till I am back in pot heaven.

Bonsai Thursday.

The day started off quite well with some sunshine, then went back to normal, with grey skies.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We spent the morning looking at this Cotoneaster with a view to finding a pot for it.

We removed a couple of branches and re-positioned some more to refine it a little.

This tree looks like it could be nice in a few years time.

Natter night 22nd January 2018.

Ken M was the only one to bring a tree tonight to have a little work done.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

His nice twin trunk Larch.

Some of the wires were starting to bite into the bark, so they were removed.

Not a lot of work,but the banter was flowing quite well, as usual.

Natter night 15th January 2018.

We had two trees to work on tonight, when Ken M and Andy P both came over.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Andy was first with this Cedar, which had it's orignal styling just last year, on a workshop with Robert Porch.

We had to place a brace on the tree to bring the two trunks into line.

Then Andy wired most of the branches, which were then placed in position. This is the the back of the tree, whch shows the brace.

 

The view from the front.

This one is Ken's, a Cascade Larch, which had the wire from last year removed.

A foul night outside, but a warm atmosphere in the studio.

It Happened again.

Once again it turned out that I cannot go anywhere without coming home with more pots.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just six this time.

The first four are by Stone Monkey.

Andy Pearson.

This one by Ian Baillie pots.

This one by Petra Engelke-Thomlinson.

Ayr Bonsai group, winter image show.

We had a good run up to Scotland this morning and arrived nearly before everyone else.

But in time to give a little help to cover the display tables.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The set up.

My three trees.

As I cannot remember which display belonged to who, I will let the photos tell the story.

All in all a good day out.

Thanks to all the people who made us so welcome.

Ready.

The car is cleaned and ready for the run up to Scotland tomorrow morning, I don't know why I cleaned it as it will probably rain and will be filthy when we get there.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tyres pumped, oil checked and filled with fuel.

There will be plenty of room for the trees and stands.

Bonsai Thursday.

Today I finished getting my trees and stands ready for Sunday at the Ayr group winter image show.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three trees.

Three stands.

All we need now is Sunday and some decent weather.

Frosty artist.

As it was a quiet night last night I think Boxie got bored, as this is what I found in the garden this morning.

---------------------------------------------------------------

He had been outside styling trees.

Boxie or Banksey.

Natter night 8th January 2018.

A very cold day followed by an even colder evening was maybe the reason the number of visitors was down tonight. Fair weather Bonsaiists.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

So Boxie and I shared my White pine to work on. We removed the wire that has been on for over a year.

The branches have set quite well and there are only a few small secondery ones to rewire.

Just to refine the pads a little.

It is not a good time to work on trees when they are frozen.

Cold.

I have just been out in the garden for a quick look around and boy is it cold this morning.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looks like we are living in a freezer.

Very pretty though.

-4 at nine thirty am.

Can't even see through the windows.

Just for the people who think my studio is always tidy.

It will be by tonight.

Three weeks since the last get together, so it might be a busy night.