Eastern Iowa Bonsai Association

A LIVING ART FORM

For more than 1000 years, the Japanese have practiced and perfected the art of creating living trees in miniature. BONSAI- the Japanese word translates to "tree in a tray", but it is so much more than that. The Chinese actually originated the art form over 2000 years ago, however the Japanese developed and refined it into the art it is today.

Meeting/Activity Schedule 2008      meetings start at 7:00 pm

Bonsai is a combination of both Art and Horticulture. The techniques that maintain the shape, size and health of the trees, follow time - honored routines. Bonsai is a living art form, constantly changing under the direction of the artist. It is like a painting or sculpture that is never quite finished. One of the goals of designing a bonsai is to have it look like a very old tree. Often you will hear reference to a trees age, but perhaps even more important is how old the tree appears to be. Bonsai today is practiced by thousands of people on every continent. Many varieties of trees and shrubs may be used for Bonsai, including tropical trees that can be grown indoors.

Feb 21 Silent Auction Sale-Bonsai related items, Hiawatha Library 7:00pm. March 20 Fertilizers, Chemicals, and Watering. April 17 Making muck for forest plantings. May 11 Mother's Day Bonsai Show at Noelridge Greenhouse. May 15 Pruning / Pinching techniques. May 17 EIBA Bonsai Workshop-Guest Artist. June 19 Advanced Display Techniques. July 19 Meeting/Picnic at Noelridge Park Pond Pavilion. August 7-17 Iowa State Fair Bonsai Show. August 21 GUEST SPEAKER August 23 Brucemore Garden and Arts Show. September  14 Cedar Rapids Fall Flower and Garden Show,EIBA Bonsai Show at Noelridge. September 18 Photographing your Bonsai-Guest Presenter. October 4-5 Reiman Gardens Ames,Ia October 16 Bonsai Winter care November 13 Holiday Party/ Elections.

Supported Artists, Suppliers and Links..........

DaSu Bonsai studios www.bonsaitrees.com Excellent high quality hand made pottery and healthy nicely styled bonsai trees. Dave Lowman, owner of DaSu is one of our main sources for hardy, semi-hardy, tropical, and rare collected trees. Also known for beautiful wooden display stands for your trees, so many items check this site out they also ship! Old collected pines, juniper and spruce www.GoldenArrowBonsai.com Andy Smith has some nice old collected material to work with. Mostly styled by the cold harsh winters, high altitude sun, and life giving spring rains. Brussel's www.brusselsbonsai.com These guys have all kinds of trees for every pocketbook. Trees included are specimen quality imports to many indoor tropicals. Pottery, books and bonsai soil, tools, you name it they have it as well.

Our membership is open to anyone with an interest in the Art of Bonsai !!   Visitors are welcome and encouraged at all meetings !!

President               John Denny Vice President       John Clemens Treasurer               Jim Rajtora Secretary               Keith Carris Librarian              Carol Sheets

For more information on becoming a member and/or meeting location.... Email: EasternIowaBonsai@Yahoo.com or contact: johnsdenny@aol.com clemensj2@yahoo.com