Bonsai

Firstly, what is a Bonsai plant? Basically, bonsai isn’t a plant, it is an art, a hobby, a method of keeping and growing miniature trees. Additionally, this “hobby” has been around for many years and can be a fascinating past-time. So, before you jump into the journey it might be best to take a few things into consideration. Please get some books and read them, then get some plants.

At the present time we have begun reading many books. Eventually we will post some book reviews to highlight how they pertain to our trees. E.G. you cant always have a book that contains information about the plants you keep, but it still may be a valueable book to read. Further, some of the books have quality information about maintaining Bonsai trees, just not the ones that are available in the Philippines.However, it is what is available in the hobby. Instead of leaving these books off of our reviews, we will try to give an honest opinion f their value in general. Moreover, many of the books are written by people that keep plants in northern climates with seasons. Obviously, that information is not as helpful when keeping plants in the tropics.

Our method

Before I say anything else, I choose to work with plant species that will thrive in my part of the world. Certainly, that gives me a focus to only acquire plants that thrive where they are kept. Basically, I try to limit my self-induced pain or suffering when making bad decisions along the way. Despite my desires to have a specific bonsai material, I try to stay away from creating issues down the road.

Chiefly, since I live in the Philippines, and on a small island called Cebu, and my home is just 10-20 meters above sea level, I choose plants that can thrive in those conditions. Therefore, I choose plants that are good with tropical environments and very hot/wet weather. Accordingly, I start my Bonsai journey with these thoughts in mind.

Another aspect to consider, is that my plants are selected for their ability to tolerate sunny and very hot weather. Though I can work aroung this a bit by placing plants in semi-shaded areas, we still get a lot of sun here. Certainly, I also consider water and humidity that my plants desire. Another issue is the type of substrate or soil needs. Before I get to select a plant or a potting, all of these issues are at the forefront of my planning and decision process. Besides, bonsai can be difficult enough as it is, why get materials that are going to make things even harder?

Things to avoid

Understand this, plants which require varied seasons do not grow well in my area, so I don’t get them. Correspondingly, a plant that cannot experience a very cold period will not do well here. Another issue will be humidity requirements, it is humid here. Furthermore, we have periods of tropical or monsoon rains that can dampen any substrate. Likewise, since we live near the equator the sun is absent from the north side of my house for almost six months of the year. Additionally the south side get the same treatment as the sun is in the northern hempsphere.

Conversely, pick the wrong plants and it will make your bonsai experience much more challenging. Though I can create many things to assist the environmental conditions of my bonsai, I have not wanted to try and change the weather. Evidently, bad decisions may deliver lifelong negative outcomes.

You will find something that suits your region

All in all, relax and don’t worry, plants grow in many places, climates, and localities. Unless you live in the Arctic, there should be a species of plant you CAN work with. For me, that is the most important decision you can make before getting your trees. Eventually, you will find interesting species that thrive in your region.

Finally, if you start with these small things I feel your hobby can then focus on the issues of keeping bonsai. Consequently, this simple step will give you the best chance to enjoy the hobby and have healthy plants.

Although we are listing many names of potential bonsai trees, in time we may cut this back to those we are actively keeping. Since we cannot acquire al lof the plants we are interested in, we will have to make some hard choices.Altogether we are creating mor epages while we work to identufy our plants. After that, who knows, maybe we keep them all as they allow you to understand or id your plants.

Another key point is that this may take me a long time to learn. Certainly we will try to chose the path forward that makes the most sense.

Plant links and our bonsai blogs

Gallery images

Firstly, we are uploading pictures to show parts of a plant that may help in identification. Secondly, we only have so many plants, and my photography skills are not actually skillful. Finally, if it would help to see another angle or view, send us a message and we will attempt to get the right picture posted.

Bonsai is still a journey

Albeit, I must admit that the more I learn the more I see how little I know. While I am trying to understand the plants so that I know what I have and to know how to care for it, I am finding more and more that the hobby is a place of various actors and many are just making a living with it. Those are not the hobbyists I guess, but it is the business I am experiencing here in the Philippines. Certainly it is no different in other countries. Obviously I was a bit naive.

Originally, I thought I would find sellers and trust they know the hobby, but I think they know the business and that is the need they have. Afterward, they are putting rice on the table. So nothing of this is a negative, it is just an awakening that I am going through in my hobby.

On a positive note

Despite my naive approach, I am learning. Futher I can still keep learning. Indeed I can keep trying and see what else I can learn. Meanwhile, I hope you get something useful from our bonsai pages, and I will keep trying to improve the pages, my hobby knowledge and hopefully my plants.