Bonsai shapes up

By Kath Gannaway
RUDI and Marlene Jerlitschka are typical of members of the Yarra Valley Bonsai Society (YVBS).
They are passionate about bonsai.
The couple are founding members of the YVBS which was formed just last year and meets at Japara House in Montrose.
While they had to leave their bonsai collection behind when they came to Australia from Germany 28 years ago, they brought their passion with them.
Having retired their days are now very much taken up with enjoying and expanding their own extensive collection and sharing both their love of the craft and their considerable knowledge with others.
Growing bonsai in Australia is very different to where they started.
In Germany Rudi said they had to build special shelters to cope with up to minus-20 degrees temperatures.
The challenge here is to keep the water up to their hundreds of plants throughout hot, dry summers.
While they prefer to shape their bonsai plants by pruning rather than through the use of wiring, the society’s membership includes others who are advocates of the wiring method.
“The methods people use depends entirely on their own interpretation and interest,” said Rudi.
Bonsai styles include cascades and semi-cascades, upright, windswept and miniature landscapes.
Rudi and Marlene look to nature for inspiration and car trips often become part of the passion when a gum tree which has an interesting shape is spotted.
Out comes the camera and with a photo as a guide, it’s then a matter of finding a plant which has the bones and potential to be shaped into a miniature representation of the full-size model.
The success of the club has been phenomenal with a constantly growing membership which includes beginners to experienced and professional bonsai enthusiasts.
Rudi said there are always people at the club happy to share their knowledge and help beginners with advice and through their regular workshops.
“There are any number of books on bonsai and you can read a lot about how to do it, but there’s nothing like taking a tool and being there with someone who can guide you through it,” Marlene said.
The Yarra Valley Bonsai Society meets at Japara House in Montrose on the second Tuesday of each month. Workshops are held on the first Saturday of every month from 2pm onwards.
For further information phone Peter Raymakers on 9726 6176 or visit www.yarravalleybonsai.org .au