Memorial Day weekend is always filled with backyard barbecues, family gatherings, block parties and more, but if you are looking for something different to do during the long weekend, look no farther than the East Meadow Farm.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County and the Bonsai Society of Greater New York will be hosting a Bonsai display at the farm on Saturday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “This is a first for Cornell working with the Bonsai Society of Greater New York,” said John Capobianco, treasurer of the Bonsai Society of Greater New York and an award-winning Bonsai expert and instructor. “We expect to have 10 Bonsai on display, including examples of evergreen and deciduous bonsai. If the bonsai cooperate, we should have some in flower,” he said.
Bonsai, or miniature trees, are a form of Japanese art. Bonsai can be created from nearly any perennial woody-stemmed tree or shrub species that produces branches. After it has reached its desired size, it is potted to restrict further growth and is trimmed and shaped as the owner wants. Since Bonsai requires specific tools and techniques for cultivation and care, Capobianco said that representatives from the Bonsai Society of Greater New York will be on hand to answer questions and give tips about successfully growing Bonsai. “Some of the most frequently asked questions we get are ‘How do I keep it alive?’, ‘How do I trim it?’ and ‘How much water does it need?’ We will be there to give tips,” Capobianco said. “A workshop is a great way to get experience with the design and mechanics of creating a Bonsai.”
In addition, Capobianco said that anyone who has a Bonsai with some issues can bring it down for on-site advice. “If anyone has a bonsai and is having problems with it or has questions, bring the tree in for advice between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and the experienced members of the Bonsai Society of Greater New York will be available to assist,” he explained.
The East Meadow Farm, formerly Friendly Farms, is located on Merrick Avenue and Luddington Road. For more information on the event, check out bsgny.org/2013_Bonsai_Day.
