The Bay Area Satsuki Aikokai (BASA) held their 16th Annual Exhibit on May 22 & 23, 2010, at the Lakeside Garden Center in Oakland, California. It was another colorful exhibit – here are some of the trees that were on display.
Chiyo no Homare
Kinsai
Hana Botan
Kanuma no Mai
Shiryu no Homare
For comparison’s sake, here are some photos from BASA’s 2009 exhibit.
As a practical guide for visitors new to satsuki azalea bonsai, BASA provided a view to what lies inside the pot. Next to a very large tree in a very large pot, the jar pictured below showed blocks of foam covered by large kanuma, small kanuma, and finally a generous layer of moss. This was the mix recommended by Suisho Nakayama. A number of fortunate BASA members regularly study with Nakayama, one of Japan’s recognized azalea experts, several times a year.
Kanuma, moss, and foam
Yama goki is the beautiful Mountain moss found in Japan. I find it tough to grow in my end of the San Francisco Bay Area. White sphagnum moss has the virtue of not growing when placed atop bonsai soil. This makes it a great candidate for preserving moisture in the soil below.
Yama goki (Mountain moss) and Australian sphagnum moss
I’ve seen a number of educational displays like these at bonsai shows in recent years. It’s a great trend – I’m looking forward to seeing more in future shows.
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Frank says
Where can one buy Yama goki (Mountain moss) ?
Frank
xwires says
Great question – I haven’t seen it for sale lately. I’m curious if anyone has suggestions.
john Kirby says
Jonas and Frank, Dave Kreutz in St Louis imports it and sells it on line at Satsuki Bonsai-en . com.
Great thread Jonas,
John
Bruce winter says
It grows at the base of Cryptomeria japonica (Sugi) up here in the clouds, as in Japan.
What a happy discovery!
I’m pondering a small, very small, commercial venture.
Bruce
Volcano
Hawai’i
Keith says
Those foam pieces look like they would take up too much room in the pot. How big are they and what kind of foam?
xwires says
The foam squares really are almost an inch across. I don’t know the source of the foam. The pots for which they provide drainage are around 12″ deep. I’ll post a picture of the tree in the deep pot Friday.
john Kirby says
You can also use the foam/non-biodegradable packing peanuts, the roots actually grow through them (they like them)- one hint- make sure that you have a good solid rootpad to secure in the pot, otherwise the packing peanuts make it a mess to tie the tree in……
I have repotted some that were very poorly done.
John