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Text Box: 1980, ACBS was called the South Alabama Bonsai Society. Our membership was about 6 people and we had no official meeting place. The bonsai books all said a good bonsai soil was, river sand, rich garden dirt and leaf mold. Leaf mold is the semi-rotted leaves, Oak is best,. With no other advice or anyone to ask , Gator (the ACBS fonder) and I, (Joe Day) took a trip out to a local creek and got some river sand. We mixed it with what I knew was excellent garden soil and some Live Oak, leaf mold. We planted our newly dug Azalea into this mix. They sprouted new leaves, didn’t die but didn’t grow any all summer. At the end of the next spring the growth was still very slight. We took some of them to the Ag-

Text Box: station to be looked at my plant experts. They told us they could only find that the roots were not growing. We didn’t know that Japanese river sand was actually small gravel not sand. Our mix was too dense. Thinking about the problem on my way to work I passed a small nursery that was filled out front with beautiful nursery Azalea. It suddenly hit me that they were all potted in Pine bark, growing very well and very healthy. That weekend at Gator’s house we talked about our soil problem. Gator was growing Cactus in lava rock. He was talking about how well it worked for growing Cactus and also taking cutting of some species. I told him we should try mixing the Pine bark and some lava rock as a soil that would keep the Azalea healthy.

Text Box: We dug some Azalea potted them in the Pine bark and lava rock mix. They grew more in three months than our others had in two years. The visiting masters, John Naka, Ben and others were very interested in the mix. Now it’s the mix everywhere. Can’t say we invented it but can’t help but believe we certainly played a part in it’s spread and acceptance. Joe Day

Text Box: floors. We will all be tired so the after auction help will get us all out and home quickly. If you can be at St Lukes at 4 P.M. and stay for the clean up that’s great. If you can only make the auction and stay to help the clean up that’s just fine also. If a couple of people could handle cleaning up the refreshment area that would let some other concentrate on helping get plants into leaving vehicles. At the Sept. meeting or by e-

Text Box: At 4 P.M. we must set up tables, chairs. The plants will start coming in at 4 P.M. they must be placed on the tables and numbered. Refreshments must be set up. The items that have been bid on must be moved to a numbered area. That area must be set up. Randy Haga will be our auctioneer again this year. He keeps the items moving from table to numbered bid area. After the auction finishes we need people to help load plants into cars and trucks, stack chairs, tables and sweep the

Text Box: mail let Joe Kuhn know when you can be at the auction and what you can do to help out. Everyone can help, we can’t do it without just about everyone doing some part of the procedure. The proceeds of the auction help all members so all members try to help. Joe Day

Text Box: Bonsai Soil A short look way, way back.

Text Box: large tubs for growing. This is just to jog your memory. If it’s good for the garden or bonsai it’s good for the auction. All items should be clean as possible with no insects in the pots, crates, tubs, etc. If you have diseased plants, don’t bring them. Plants must be at St Lukes between 4 P.M. and 5:00 P.M. Viewing will start at

Text Box: 5 P.M. so all plants have to have numbered tags and be placed on the tables. This takes time so best if you can have your items at St Lukes as soon as possible after 4 P.M. All donations are welcomed. Your –can’t use it, might be a –got to have it for someone else. Joe Day

Text Box: Books on bonsai, gardening, or any landscape subject. Plants for bonsai, plants for accents. House plants, bonsai stands, rocks, pots, tools, fertilizer, soil, wire. Book on art, sketch pads, painting. Gourmet packaged food, cakes, cookies are nice. Items that were hits at previous auctions, wood cigar boxes, soft drink crates, bonsai turntables,

Text Box: “ Money makes it happen. The funds we receive from the ACBS Fall Auction will be make possible the ACBS events of 2006”