The next MMBC Meeting is March 19^th at the Foster Community Center, Room 109, at 6:30pm (gathering time) - 9:00pm.  (Please note this is a two-part meeting, read to the end!)

PART ONE — The topic, "Bonsai Repotting: What you need to know beforehand."

Repotting bonsai is often a topic of great debate.  It has been equated to performing open heart surgery in humans.  This really is not too surprising of a statement when you consider the drastic measures taken to get trees in to small bonsai containers.  The root pruning, changing of soil, securing the tree to the pot and a myriad of other considerations and techniques make learning how to perform repotting safely a very valuable skill in bonsai. 

At the March meeting many repotting topics/issues/considerations/techniques will be explored.  Among the questions that will be covered are:

• When is it best to repot bonsai?
• Should you repot, or wait another year?
• Why are you repotting?  More reasons than you might guess!
• What are the tools and resources required?
• How do you repot with the greatest success?
• What is aftercare and why is that important?

There will be a demonstration(s) of repotting bonsai at this meeting.  

And then......

PART TWO — On March 21^st (the following Saturday), MMBC will be meeting at Van Attas from 10am - 2pm for hands-on, educational open sessions for all members to bring in their trees for repotting assistance at Van Attas.  

Weather forecast is indicating freezing temperatures next week.  Bonsai can and should be repotted soon. Trees that are to be repotted should not be allowed to freeze once they are repotted.  You will need to identify a location where the trees can recover without fighting extreme cold.

So, gather up your tools, soil, wire, containers and join other MMBC members for bonsai repotting.

Van Attas has some bonsai soil, containers and other resources, but you are best advised in bringing your own supplies.

Note: MMBC utilizes Van Attas for workshops, because we can make a mess and we are not pressed for time as we are at the Foster Community Center.  Be sure to thank Van Attas for their continued support of MMBC!