October 2025 Edition
🍁 A Note from the Club
As the leaves begin to turn and the high desert air grows crisp, we’re reminded of the quiet beauty of seasonal change—something every bonsai artist learns to appreciate. October has been a month of reflection, growth, and connection. Whether you joined us as a member, in the workshop, or just stopping by, thank you for being part of this thriving community.
The club is organizing into a non-profit and making decisions so that next year we will have beginner classes as well as two advanced classes offered. We are working on a web site and this news letter.
🌿Notes from the October 4th club meeting
📝 Meeting Highlights: Winter Prep & Bonsai Show-and-Tell
Ken kicked off our October gathering with a warm and insightful session on preparing bonsai for winter. He shared practical tips to keep our trees cozy and stable through the❄️season – emphasizing the importance of avoiding daytime warmth followed by nighttime freezes. His clever trick? Turn your benches on their sides, nestle your trees into the protected space, and insulate with leaves. Simple, effective, and very bonsai-friendly!
🍁 We also explored exciting topics like yamadori collection spots and the art of choosing the right pots. Ken brought a beautiful selection of trees and containers, with a stunning grove planting of Amur Maples on rock stealing the spotlight.
🌲 The show-and-tell was a delight:
- Mike Nold wowed us with a majestic juniper perched on a custom table.
- ✂️Gregg Perkins shared a larger juniper and gave it a thoughtful trim.
- 🪴Les brought in a Norway Maple, repotted it from a small cascade pot, and gave it a fresh look with some strategic pruning and rewiring.
- And the moment of the day—a new visitor discovered a Juniperus Horizontalis at the nursery. With guidance from our enthusiastic members, they transformed this raw gem into a promising bonsai. They left inspired and smiling!
It was a joyful, hands-on day filled with learning, laughter, and shared passion. Here’s to more bonsai magic ahead! 🌟
🍂 Core Team Meeting 25 October 2025
A Core Team meeting was held this date to review current status, changes to beginner class plans, future club activities and administrative planning. Attendees at the meeting were Mike Nold, Les Taylor, Marcy Edelman and Tracy Lutes.
💬Status
The beginner class proposal has been approved by David Ruf, owner of Green House Garden Center. There will be one class consisting of three sessions. Each session will be one and a half to two hours in duration and conducted at a location TBD. The first session will be in March, second in April and third in May. Cost is TBD still. A tree, pot, tools, wire, book and soil will be provided to each student. Fifteen students will make up the first class.
Ideas for future club activities include a yamadori (mountain dug bonsai) field trip to gather plant material and will be held in March or April. Mike Nold will be the organizer /lead for this trip. A rock gathering field trip will be led by Les Taylor to secure material for a bonsai over rock project. Date is TBD.
Ken Jones is planning to conduct two advance techniques classes the second and third Saturday of March. The first will cover rock planting and the second maple group planting. All are welcome to attend.
Other contemplated field trip activities include a visit to Auburn, California to bonsai nursery, pottery classes for bonsai pots, guest speakers and tools and sharpening.
📅Other
We are contemplating becoming an official 501.3(c) (?) non profit using the San Diego Bonsai Club as an example. We are asking for anyone who has knowledge of how to set these up to contact Tracy Lutes at 858 776 4754.
Les Taylor has agreed to set up a website for the cub. Les has extensive experience in creating websites.
🍂 Seasonal Tip: Autumn Tasks for Healthy Trees
- Reduce watering as growth slows, but don’t let roots dry out.
- Remove wire if it’s starting to bite into bark.
- Clean up fallen leaves to prevent pests and mold.
- Start planning winter protection, especially for potted trees exposed to wind and snow.
- Now is the time to put the trees in the ground, cover with leaves about a third up the tree trunk.
📬 Stay Connected
Instagram: @rainshadowbonsaiclub
Next Meeting: Saturday, March 7 @ 11 AM
Location: Greenhouse Garden Center, 2450 S Curry St. Carson City, NV
Contact: rainshadowbonsaiclub@gmail.com
Facebook: Rainshadow Bonsai Club
Rain Shadow Bonsai 