President’s Message
July 2026
🌞 Summer is here
Summer has finally arrived, and the heat came early and strong this year. In the Bay Area, we have to watch out not only for hot days but also for those drying afternoon winds. A warm, windy day can dry out your plants even faster than a calm hot day.
We’ve already had a few extra‑hot days, and I hope everyone’s trees made it through safely. On those days, I found myself watering up to three times. During summertime, I water all my bonsai thoroughly in the morning, then check again in the afternoon and water only the trees that need it. When temperatures spike, I add one more check in the early afternoon. It’s a simple routine that keeps everything hydrated and prevents stress from lack of water.
🌿First Thursday —JT’s Summer Maintenance Demo
Speaking of summertime, JT will be our guest speaker this First Thursday, and his topic is summer maintenance. He’ll be working on a bald cypress, an olive, and a California pepper tree — three very different species, all with their own quirks. I’m really looking forward to seeing him tackle all of them in one meeting. It should be a fun and informative session.
🚙 Backyard Tour
I’m happy to announce that we will be having our Backyard Tour this year! We’ll be visiting three backyards, and the tour will take place on Saturday, July 25.
To join, please sign up at a club meeting or send me an email with your name and the number of people attending. This helps us get an accurate head count.
For security reasons — and to avoid sending members’ addresses to the entire mailing list — we’re asking everyone to sign up in advance. Only those who sign up will receive the backyard locations. A signup sheet will be available at both the First Thursday and Third Thursday meetings.
Thanks,
Juan