Soho Sakai Sensei's Workshop - Bamboo as Container

These arrangements were using self- make bamboo container. We were given a long section of pre- cut bamboo then we sawed a window or two to serve as container. I was told these big bamboo were ordered from Georgia. Everyone had made a beautiful arrangement at the end.
The pictures one, two and three were Sensei's demo pieces. The fourth picture was my arrangement and the other pictures were some of students' arrangements.

Soho Sakai Sensei's Workshop - Sculpture

Using plastic sheet and electric tie to form a sculpture and arrangement.
Picture 1, 2, and 3 are Sensei's demo pieces. The fourth one is mine, rest of the pictures are some of the other students' compositions.   

Soho Sakai Sensei Demostration

I.I. Philadelphia Chapter, in September meeting is our opening luncheon featured the Sogetsu School. Demonstration by Soho Sakai, a Riji, AIFD level teacher. She is always in high demand as a demonstrator. Who is from the Bay area in California. We were very proud to host her. I'm glad I attended meeting and workshops. I learned many new techniques, such as using a plastic sheet and electrical ties to form a sculpture. The Brandy wine study group took advantage and organized a bamboo workshop. So she gave a demonstration using bamboo as container. Afterwards, she gave her critiques and was very kind and humorous. So, it was a busy long weekend of workshops and learning!
Below were Soho Sakai Sensei's demo arrangements:
 

Growing Orchids at Home - My Experience

A few months ago, a good friend of mine asked me to give a talk in her retirement community about orchids. The time finally came and on 9/12/2017 afternoon, a lot of people from her community gathered at the club house's meeting room to watch my powerpoint presentation. My topic was "Growing Orchids at Home - My Experience." After all, it has been over 30 years of experience growing orchids at home. It's my passion and hobby.
Here are my topics power point presentation:
1) What is an Orchid? There are 4 major parts: petals, sepals, lip and column
2) Categories of  orchids: There are more than 20,000 species; I concentrated on my favorites and common kinds like Cattleya, Dendrobium, Oncidium, Philanophis, Paphilopedilum (lady's slipper)
3) My favorite orchids and easy to grow orchids
4) How to take care of orchids: The need for light, watering, re-potting and dividing
5) Common problems: I talked about sun spots and pests.
6) Conclusion: Growing orchids are my passion and meditation. Watching their long blooms is very rewarding.

The feedback was very positive. They reported that it was very informative, and I was happy to share my experiences.

 

Hata Sensei's Class for September

After July and August's break, we were so happy to resume Hata Sensei's class again. On September 18, Our Main Line Sogetsu Study Group started a new Ikebana year with three lessons:
1) Variation #3 Slanting Style Moribana  book 2-3 p.70. Try to challenge yourself and arrange basic lessons from behind. My material: Berry branch, zinnia, Helenium /square ceramic container.
2) Freestyle  Using Fall grasses: Pamper grass, wheat grass, grey blue grass with hydrangea, aster and purple round ball flower (don't know the name)/ Tall bamboo basket. 
3) Miniatures  book 5-15 p.74: Must use five mini containers or more.

I love this haiku very much: "Autumn Grasses"  by Buson  1716-1783. I like to share with you.

Grasses are misty
The water silent
A tranquil evening.  
                                 

2) Free Style Using Fall Grasses

Added background

1) Slanting style moribana

3) My design with five mini containers

Midori Sensei designed this beautiful miniature arrangement

Two Containers Arrangement and Using Bamboo Arrangement

1) Two glass containers with painted Trifoliate orange branches, Cymbidium leave, dyer's grrape and carnation.
2) 5 Bamboo sticks, clematis, mum, Dogwood and driftwood in the ceramic container.   
This was Meei Huey Sensei's class:

August Orchids Bloom

 Usually I have the least blooming orchids during the Summer time. Here are my three orchids:
1) Dendrobium miniature
     I received it as a favor at our year end BCOS pot luck dinner party this year (6/20/2017). It has been blooming for almost three months.
2) Encyclia, Green Hornet
     It starts to bloom at early Summer until now! last very long time and easy to grow. I divided it many times and gave away to my friends.
3) Encyclia, E.Mariae
     This one I also received as a favor couple years ago. It has been blooming faithfully ever since.

My Garden and Feather Friends

This Summer, we hired a "season nursery" landscaper to plant four trees- Weeping Cheery, Dogwood, Crap apple and Japanese Maple in our front yard. Plus he added seven Azaleas, rearranged and grouped cornflowers, and other existing plants. Our front garden appears complete for now.
The cornflowers had been attracting a lot of butterflies (monarch and Canadian tiger swallowtails), now the flowers are fading away, many yellow finches have been flying back and forth to pick up the seed pods. It is fun to watch and always makes me smile!