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CHS The Zen of Horticulture: Bonsai ~Online Presentation
May 31, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Online presentation presented by the Cannington Horticultural Society – join us with Joan Greenway and Lorraine Craymer who are two longtime bonsai enthusiasts with more than 50 years combined experience in the zen art. Joan was the first President of the Bowmanville Bonsai Society when it was created in 1987. The club soon expanded and moved to Oshawa becoming the Matsuyama Bonsai Society for which Joan continues to serve, now as Communications Officer. Her colleague Lorraine Craymer is Treasurer of Matsuyama Bonsai Society, and an avid grower of bonsai, even offering young trees that have been prepared for bonsai training, for sale.
Matsuyama means ‘pine ridge’ in Japanese. Although bonsai are primarily outdoor plants, both Joan and Lorraine grow multiple types, both those that live outdoors and indoor specimens. They also show at bonsai exhibitions and competitions, travelling through Ontario and Quebec with their specimens and sharing knowledge of this ancient art. They will be sharing an overview of bonsai including types and styles, species selection, root and crown pruning, wire training, types of pots and more. Every aspect of bonsai is a critical part of the finished specimen and some trees have lived for 100’s of years.
“Bonsai” refers specifically to shrubs or trees, grown in shallow containers and cultivated to remain small through crown and root pruning. The art came to Japan from China sometime around the 6th Century CE brought back by Buddhist monks who studied in China. Buddhist teachings promote meditation and contemplation especially of the landscape and bonsai soon became associated with these miniature landscapes. Training and growing a potted tree over decades and longer was considered a skilled accomplishment, requiring a deep connection between human and nature, creating an object deserving of contemplation. As styles and knowledge keeps growing bonsai is an art that one continues to learn, an analogy for our lives.
Details to log-in to CHS meetings will be sent via email 1 week prior to each meeting date. The May meeting is open to members and guests. If you are not a member and wish to join us please send us an email request: marg@lakewindsfarm.com
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