A Saturday without Bonsai

Typically, the Albuquerque Bonsai Club holds its monthly meetings on the first Saturday of the month.  Sometimes New Years, the Fourth of July, or Labor Day interfere, but by in large there's a meeting whether at the church in person or, in the Covid Era, via Zoom.

Then there's the Third Saturday Workshops with John Egert, the succulent sensei.  In the past he'd drive up and we'd gather in someone's backyard for a few hours of donuts and tree manipulation.  In the winter it'd be inside someone's heated workshop (thank you, Richard) and in the summer we'd be out in the shade of someone's yard (thank you, Connie).  Now we get a Zoom broadcast from Socorro.  Rather convenient, but not as convivial.  

With those two activities, it means we have a bonsai Saturday every other week.  But this January has five Saturdays.  The result is that today is the second Saturday in a row without a bonsai event.  

The weather forecast is for rain showers Friday night followed by a chilly, sunny, breezy day.  Seems like a perfect day to hide in the sun room and clean pots, shop for mica pots online, and check the supplies.  In about a month or so, buds will be breaking and it will be prime season to prune, wire, and repot.  

Here for your amusement is the current status of my Siberian pea-tree, Caragana arborescens.  With its small pot, it's susceptible to cold damage, so I bring it into the garage where temperatures run at about 45°-50° even on the coldest nights.  Apparently moderate temperature and the light from a skylight is enough to convince the tree that it's time to leaf out.  Several weeks ago it broke bud, so I'm keeping the soil moist and watching it closely.  It was getting top heavy with growth from last season and I took the opportunity to give it a "hair cut" two weeks ago.  Let's see if it rewards me with new growth lower down on the trunk.  

In other news, the Facebook post on Silene will automatically be revealed on the NM Native Plants page.  They are usually well received.  By tomorrow I should have stats on how many people felt compelled to click on 'Like'.