Members of the Port Stephens Community Art Centre Bonsai Group have been busily preparing their trees for the upcoming Bonsai Show to be held during the October long weekend.
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The display, which will be set up at the Nelson Bay-based centre October 5 to 7, will include a large range of bonsai trees, natives and exotics, styled to create miniature examples of their bigger cousins.
Several other varieties will be in full spring flower to provide eye catching colour, such as azalea bonsai.
Azalea's add colour and bloom to the art of bonsai. When crafted with artistry and precision, an azalea bonsai flowers in clouds of pink, white or red.
While conventional azaleas and rhododendrons are typically shaped into hedges or compact shrubbery, azalea bonsai are most often shaped to resemble flowering trees.
Centre members will also have displays of trees in training during the show.
Demonstrations of bonsai care and maintenance are scheduled for both the Saturday and Sunday at 11am by two Australian bonsai experts - Hugh Grant from Central Coast Bonsai and Brenda Parker, president of Illawarra Bonsai Society.
They will demonstrate techniques used to create a bonsai by shaping and styling foliage, root pruning and branch cutting to create healthy trees in small pots.
There will also be a good selection of bonsai and related items for sale.
Many of the Bay centre's members will also be available to answer any questions.
A multiple choice raffle will also be available, with many great prizes donated by generous local businesses.
The art centre's cafe will also be open across the weekend.
The show will be open from 10am to 4pm each day at the centre in Cultural Close in Nelson Bay, off Shoal Bay Road. Admission is free.