It has been 10 years since Malcolm last graced us with his presence (also talking about cedars). In those 10 years he has continued his study of this family of trees, and polished his presentation.

Cedars grow in a very limited area of the world, running from north Africa, along the mediterranean, and into Afghanistan and northern India.

There are four distinct varieties:-

Cedrus Lebani: ranging from Lebanon into Palestine and Israel, (32-37 degrees North). Dark green needles about 2/3 cm.
Cedrus Deodar: Found in Afghanistan and N/W frontier India, a weeping style tree with light green foliage, growing to about 50m high. Needles around 3-3.5 cm.
Cedrus Atlantica: from North Africa(32-35 degrees North) growing upto 45m high. Needle length 1.5-2 cm.
Cedrus Brevifolia: from Cyprus, growing to 18m with the shortest needles at about 1cm.

Malcolm then went on to show us some of his trees, the first of which was a group of blue Atlantic cedars in an almost windswept style. Whilst it is rare to find twin-trunk material, Malcolm had achieved this by holding two trees together with a screw and allowing them to bond (a new technique to me), he then went on to explain that quite often there are few if any low branches on garden centre purchased trees and that we could achieve these desirable branches by grafting them where we want them. Bearing in mind that the bark on cedars is very thin(around 1mm).

Repotting should only be carried out at intervals of about 3-5 years, even longer in mature trees.

Cedars are usually found in a limited variety of styles, these include, upright, slanting, literati and weeping. In the case of the deodar they can also be designed using deadwood.

Propagation is achievable with cuttings - soft taken in spring or hard taken in autumn - or by layering. Also grafting may be used.

We then sought his advice with some of our trees. Trevor brought forward his Brevifolia, Malcolm looked at it and advised that the branches be wired down to give a more aged impression, he also removed the apex to lower it and give a more compact image.

Next was a lovely cascade, not in need of much improvement just slight adjustment to the planting angle, raising it up away from the side of the pot and a slight change in viewing angle.

Peter's five tree group was next, variety in height was what was needed and alterations duly made.

In all (in my opinion) a very polished presentation, mixing good horticultural advice with a light touch and good humour. Hope we don't leave it for another 10 years before we see Malcolm again.

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Thought:-
Even monkeys fall out of trees

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Book of the month:
Successful Bonsai Growing by Peter Adams

First published in 1978, I believe this book has been presented in several formats, mine is almost A5 in size.

The text covers all the information that is now almost standard in a Bonsai book. But remember that when Peter wrote this, he was a ground-breaker, and that the ideas exposed in here have stood the test of time.

What stands out in this book are the illustrations, beautiful line diagrams, real works of art, showing different styles and ideas that I hope will prove an inspiration to the reader.

While I cannot say that this book is a must have, I have found myself drawn back to it many times looking for inspiration. Therein lies its value.

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NEXT MONTH: - 9th April 2002
Mame with Geoff Gent

Ten years ago, if you had said the word mame to someone at a club night, you may have been met with a blank look. Today, however, there are not many club members who have not at sometime tried to grow these, the smallest of the small, the miniature Bonsai or mame.

Measuring only a few inches high, these trees can offer many things, from the opportunity of keeping and growing a wide selection of varieties, to the challenge of interpreting a wide palette of styles and impressions within its diminutive dimensions.

I am looking forward to learning more about this fascinating subject.
Please bring along your mame to this evening.

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Bonsai Tip
It may seem obvious, but during these warmer months, take the opportunity to look around you.
Open your eyes as you walk around, look how trees grow, what styles occur in your area, what makes a tree grow in a certain way. By doing this and applying it to your trees they will have more meaning, more logic and present a more complete image.

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News Bits
FOBBS are running their New Talent competition at Herons this year.

March 17th: Car Boot Sale, Birmingham Botanical Garden
April 14th: BTA Spring Expo, at The Sports Connxtion, Coventry.
May 21st-24th FOBBS @ Chelsea