Bonsai Show In Watsonville Desplays Ancient Art
If you haven’t heard of bonsai yet, it may be time to get with the program. With a demonstration by Tom Ogura from Satsuma Bonsai Club Monterey, the 32nd annual Bonsai Exhibition at Watsonville Buddhist Temple on Sunday features door prizes, plant and pot sales, demonstration tree raffles and refreshments.
The Watsonville Bonsai Club is one of many clubs in the San Francisco Bay Area. In operation since 1963, the Watsonville Bonsai Club currently has 33 members.
"We still have two of the original members," said Vice President Don White.
According to White, collectors own bonsai trees up to 800 years old.
"I have a juniper that is 125 years old," he said. "You can bonsai any plant that you want."
Most of the clubs members, however, are beginners, said White.
"A couple of young kids really have taken an interest," he said.
White has been cultivating bonsai for over 30 years. He became interested in the art when he was stationed in Korea.
"I saw large trees in small pots, and I was like, what in the world is that?" he said. "When I came home I by chance met an older Japanese man who taught me more."
Though bonsai trees have recently become popular in the U.S., they have a long history in Asia. References to the tiny trees go back as early as China’s Tang Dynasty (618-907), when people cultivated small trees they called Penjing, which literally translates to "tray scenery." Two wall paintings in Prince Zang Huai’s tomb from 706 A.D. show servants carrying plants similar to bonsai.
"The Chinese were the first to develop the idea, but they didn’t groom the trees as much as the Japanese. The Japanese liked to make them in what we call classical standards," said White.
Japan adopted the art of growing miniature trees during the 14th century, naming it bonsai. By the 1600s, Japanese individuals from all classes enjoyed bonsai and many participated in bonsai competitions.
Bonzai gained popularity in Europe at Paris and London exhibitions during the 19th century and Japanese nurseries opened in the U.S.
Today, bonsai is a globe-wide obsession, with clubs dedicated to the art across the U.S. and Europe.
According to White, creating bonsai is not difficult — it’s just a lot of work.
"It’s hard to cut the foliage and roots," he said.
The key to growing bonsai is proportion. Every part of the tree — the needles, trunk, branches and container — must harmonize perfectly. Usually started from seeds or cuttings, the trees mature in about five years, growing to one of the categorized sizes: miniature, small, medium or average.
Growers perfect the size and shape of their trees by carefully pruning their branches and trunks. Because they require a great deal of care, bonsai is a serious commitment.
Bonsai trees are kept in small containers so their soil dries up quickly and must be watered often. Watering them too much, however, can lead to flooding and cause roots to rot. Soil should be kept damp, but not saturated.
According to White, the most common mistake in caring for bonsai is growing them indoors. Though some vendors sell the trees as indoor plants, the trees need natural sunlight to stay alive.
Quality of soil is also a very important aspect of bonsai care. More porous than potting soil, bonsai soil contains less fertilizer than other varieties geared to grow larger plants.
"The water has to be able to go through soil," he said. "Even on a foggy day you have to go out and look because they can dry out."
If You Go
WHAT: Bonsai Exhibition.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
WHERE: 423 Bridge St., Watsonville.
COST: Amission is free but donations are accepted.
DETAILS: 724-7860.
The Watsonville Bonsai Club is one of many clubs in the San Francisco Bay Area. In operation since 1963, the Watsonville Bonsai Club currently has 33 members.
"We still have two of the original members," said Vice President Don White.
According to White, collectors own bonsai trees up to 800 years old.
"I have a juniper that is 125 years old," he said. "You can bonsai any plant that you want."
Most of the clubs members, however, are beginners, said White.
"A couple of young kids really have taken an interest," he said.
White has been cultivating bonsai for over 30 years. He became interested in the art when he was stationed in Korea.
"I saw large trees in small pots, and I was like, what in the world is that?" he said. "When I came home I by chance met an older Japanese man who taught me more."
Though bonsai trees have recently become popular in the U.S., they have a long history in Asia. References to the tiny trees go back as early as China’s Tang Dynasty (618-907), when people cultivated small trees they called Penjing, which literally translates to "tray scenery." Two wall paintings in Prince Zang Huai’s tomb from 706 A.D. show servants carrying plants similar to bonsai.
"The Chinese were the first to develop the idea, but they didn’t groom the trees as much as the Japanese. The Japanese liked to make them in what we call classical standards," said White.
Japan adopted the art of growing miniature trees during the 14th century, naming it bonsai. By the 1600s, Japanese individuals from all classes enjoyed bonsai and many participated in bonsai competitions.
Bonzai gained popularity in Europe at Paris and London exhibitions during the 19th century and Japanese nurseries opened in the U.S.
Today, bonsai is a globe-wide obsession, with clubs dedicated to the art across the U.S. and Europe.
According to White, creating bonsai is not difficult — it’s just a lot of work.
"It’s hard to cut the foliage and roots," he said.
The key to growing bonsai is proportion. Every part of the tree — the needles, trunk, branches and container — must harmonize perfectly. Usually started from seeds or cuttings, the trees mature in about five years, growing to one of the categorized sizes: miniature, small, medium or average.
Growers perfect the size and shape of their trees by carefully pruning their branches and trunks. Because they require a great deal of care, bonsai is a serious commitment.
Bonsai trees are kept in small containers so their soil dries up quickly and must be watered often. Watering them too much, however, can lead to flooding and cause roots to rot. Soil should be kept damp, but not saturated.
According to White, the most common mistake in caring for bonsai is growing them indoors. Though some vendors sell the trees as indoor plants, the trees need natural sunlight to stay alive.
Quality of soil is also a very important aspect of bonsai care. More porous than potting soil, bonsai soil contains less fertilizer than other varieties geared to grow larger plants.
"The water has to be able to go through soil," he said. "Even on a foggy day you have to go out and look because they can dry out."
If You Go
WHAT: Bonsai Exhibition.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
WHERE: 423 Bridge St., Watsonville.
COST: Amission is free but donations are accepted.
DETAILS: 724-7860.
posted by Davor Novakovic @ Thursday, April 28, 2005
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