ISSUE #2 : February 2013

	ISSUE #2. February 2013 www.fukubonsai.com/MPBFjournal2.February.2013.html
MICHAEL S. IMAINO President Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation MPBF@fukubonsai.com ___________ Journal Editor DAVID W. FUKUMOTO President, Fuku-Bonsai Inc. david.f@fukubonsai.com Journal Contributing Editor JERRY MEISLIK Author, bonsai instructor www.bonsaihunk.us jerry@bonsaihunk.us	Aloha and welcome to the second issue! The first issue was sent out on January 20 and 21, 2013 and we've got some nice feedback from old and new customers and foundation members. We had planned to issue about the 2nd week of each month but sending out the premier issue proved to be a challenge and it was delayed. We will move closer to our target release date as we develop a routine. Because the largest "cost" is putting it together, the modest annual dues are really an informal form of support and at this stage, it is a lot more important to get exposure and contact with all individuals and clubs who are interested in growing True Indoor Bonsai. So we request your assistance to broadcast the Journal link to various individuals or groups who would enjoy it. The annual membership for a club is just $12 per year provided there is a designated contact person. February is the coldest month of the year and I've asked a few contributors to send me photos of a Fuku-Bonsai plant in the foreground in front of a picture window to see the winter scenery behind and received great photos from Jerry Meislik (Montana), Gerald Johnson (Minnesota), and Ken Kieck (Wisconsin). Each has made major contributions to this issue. Jerry Meislik has agreed to be a "contributing editor" to add commentary and address growing issues in his section: "BONSAI INDOORS --- THE BASICS OF BONSAI GROWING! He invites readers to contact him with questions or topics to include in his monthly feature. Gerald Johnson is proving that its possible to get superior growth in Minnesota and Ken Kieck is pioneering the difficult 1:10 Project in Wisconsin. Ryan Chang has his second and third "Fast Track Bonsai" report and will be trying to achieve superior growth by growing them outdoors in Hawaii. I hope more of our past customers will participate and that together, we can make True Indoor Bonsai the easiest, most successful, and most popular American bonsai for anyone who can grow houseplants!
Developing goals for the Journal of Tropical & True Indoor Bonsai *What type of articles are most needed and how can the Journal become a more valuable resource for both individuals and bonsai groups who teach?*	Traditional outdoor bonsai is challenging and requires a high level of skills and discipline. There are relatively few trainers compared to the number who purchase bonsai. But we encourage everyone to try to train TRUE INDOOR BONSAI and the INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP PACKAGE (Beginner Workshop I) is a major breakthrough with a much higher success rate made possible by providing exceptional pre-trained plant and kit components paired with unmatched customer support! We are committed to assisting hobbyists who are isolated and we hope these isolated individuals will go on to teach others and form bonsai clubs where none now exist. We hope that existing bonsai clubs who want to share and teach an easier more successful form of bonsai to their club members or to their general community will contact us for kits and assistance. We can supply exceptional plant materials that are affordable enough to be ideal for bonsai club programs with the funds recouped by raffling of the completed plant. There were some nice comments on the explanation of the concept of Sumo We also have an expanded introduction to "Roots" which is increasingly popular! By sharing with you details of the creative process, we hope you'll try or have additional insight into how your bonsai was created. In surveying those who take the Beginner Workshop I, the most common recommendation is to increase information on how and when to do the first pruning and how to root the cuttings. This will be the major editorial focus of the next March 2013 issue. E KOMO MAI . . . come discover the serenity of nature, the beauty of bonsai, and the spirit of Hawaii!
An invitation to be a member of either of two True Indoor Bonsai Study Groups	LEARNING AND TEACHING TRUE INDOOR BONSAI! The new portal page is for serious trainers who want to learn "Fast-Track Bonsai," for those who will likely be teaching True Indoor Bonsai with our workshop packages, for those who want to learn how to create exceptional 1:10 Project bonsai in shallow saucer-pots or those who may one day apply to become a Fuku-Bonsai Authorized Retailer. There are two different study groups and both begin with the purchase of three sets. Those interested in the standard Introductory Workshop Package will get extra assistance with no obligations. Those wanting to take on the challenge of the 1:10 Project Introductory Workshop Package will receive one standard and two prototype workshop packages. Participants will make a pre-report to address any questions, produce a project report with photos, receive a critique, produce a pre-report for the second planting, etc. This will provide extra direct assistance while assisting in creating a major new workshop package. After reviewing, please email for application information.
A monthly feature by Jerry "Bonsaihunk" Meislik, MPBF Journal contributing editor	BONSAI INDOORS - THE BASICS OF BONSAI GROWING! FEBRUARY 2013 topics: GROWING ENVIRONMENTS DO PLANTS GROW THROUGHOUT THE YEAR? WHAT IS THE BEST TIME FOR REPOTTING?
	AN INTRODUCTION TO STYLING "ROOTS!" Traditional outdoor bonsai is concerned with surface roots, trunks, branches and the foliage crown. True Indoor Bonsai incorporates Dwarf Schefflera's extraordinary root systems to create a whole new concept of bonsai!
	A CELEBRATION OF "CHI!" Training unique bonsai demands that you be able to identify special qualities that are already in the bonsai stock plant and develop a training strategy that will exploit that trait in a manner that develops a very distinctive tree.
	GERALD JOHNSON'S FUKU-BONSAI STORY Jerry is proving it is possible to get superior growth in snowy Minnesota. He visited in January 2012, added to his collection, and developing new ways to get better growth! We hope his story will inspire others to be successful!
	KEN KIECK'S FIVE MONTHS OF PROGRESS! In October 2012, Ken took multiple workshops at Fuku-Bonsai including one of the first for our more difficult 1:10 Project that uses shallow saucer-pots. The plants were shipped and are doing well in snowy Wisconsin!
	RYAN CHANG'S SECOND IWP SUMO REPORT Here's the second report by a young man in a rush! He completed his first report, then a day later ran through four more with some good and bad points. So this is the revised second report with improvements and a lot of advice for beginners!
	RYAN CHANG'S THIRD IWP ROOTS REPORT Ryan did another re-do and his third report shows a greater understanding of the essence of bonsai! This includes some conclusions and summary after completing three Introductory Workshop I with critiques and a preview of his next stage of "FAST TRACK BONSAI!"
	MAILBAG #2 - FEBRUARY 2013 This month two related requests for assistance spot-lighted the need to properly water and possible emergency first aid ideas. One has good odds but the other not so good. We grow Dwarf Schefflera to be tough durable bonsai and are continuing to make it more successful!

* Go to Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation website home page * Go back to the Premier Issue of JOURNAL OF TROPICAL & TRUE INDOOR BONSAI * Go to Fuku-Bonsai website home page © Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation and Fuku-Bonsai, 2013**