A Tree in the Wild feature with an image by Jeff Lewis.

As I sit down to write this message to the club, my thoughts are surrounded by our Cherry Blossom Festival taking place this coming weekend.

Working with pre-bonsai material that everyone can find at local nurseries is always a hunt that all of us enjoy since the upfront cost is very low, and readily available.

The days are longer and warmer, and the sun angle has been sneaking up on us, so we need to get into watering mode now, in earnest, as the growing season is in full swing.

It’s a beautiful time in the Bay Area. There are some events coming up. Be sure to check them out!

Jonas Dupuich will be coming to our first Thursday meeting in April to set matters straight regarding progressive pine development.

Spring doesn’t wait on storms. Its pushing everywhere.

The yardadori dig was a success! Read more about the crazy day of digging and cutting.

March is when the Bay Area starts seeing our first signs of spring weather, and with that, new growth starting to appear on our bonsai trees.

Best rain year in recent memory. And snow at the higher elevations! Even with the cold weather most trees are popping and we only have a short window open to transplant certain trees.

Two bonsai very rare opportunities this month. You do not want to miss these!

Also, lots of clubs are announcing their 2023 shows. Check them all out!

After much discussion with our board of directors regarding the cancelation of our first Thursday meeting, we decided to reinstate January's Tree Improvement Program to this month’s first February meeting.

We should have plenty of water this year even if we don’t see much in the next couple of months. Still I hope there is more on the way in February and March.

For this newsletter, there are some very big bonsai events coming up that are worth highlighting. Hope you can attend some or all of them!

I’m hoping that everyone’s Christmas and holiday season was filled with family joy, and the spirit that all is well fills you as we move into another bonsai club year.

Each time we transplant gives us another opportunity to improve our tree’s nebari and accelerate the growth and development of our trees.

Wishing everyone a happy new year from all of us at Midori Bonsai.