LEARNING & TEACHING
TRUE INDOOR BONSAI
         This portal page will consolidate information and articles for individuals including members of the True Indoor Bonsai Study Group and potential instructors using Fuku-Bonsai's Introductory Workshop Packages to teach individuals, groups, clubs, etc.  It will also include information on the new "1:10 Premium Workshop Package."       
 
                  Generally less than 10% of those interested in bonsai are willing to learn (and possibly teach) and this invitation is aimed at that 10% to assist them to become the leaders of the future True Indoor Bonsai community.  Our goal is to one day have experienced qualified True Indoor Bonsai teachers in every part of the United States! 
FAST TRACK BONSAI!
           (January 2013)  A new Fuku-Bonsai concept of rapidly learning the essence of bonsai!  Learn the basics with 3 or more Introductory Workshop Packages (Introductory Workshop I) and a few months later after actually learning how to grow them, jump ahead and learn Intermediate Workshop II) and work on older more developed trees.  Within a year of concentrated effort, you'll have the confidence to take care and to train them and you can further leap ahead with Advanced Workshop III to work on trees that are already 10 years or more in training!  This also makes sense for those who have grown outdoor bonsai and want to teach True Indoor Bonsai so beginners will be more successful!

 
COMPLETING THREE INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP PACKAGES!
           (January 2013)  The Introductory Workshop Package is the long sought "Educational Bonsai Holy Grail!" With it you can learn without an instructor and be successful. With it, you can easily teach others!  The concepts and components are unique, well researched, and efffective!  Three were completed to demonstrate the range of results possible!
 
            (March 2013) Learning (and teaching) True Indoor Bonsai is easier due to Fuku-Bonsai and Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation partnering to form a combined educational, supply, and personal assistance resource. We have begun trials of the Premium 1:10 Conversion Kits that will produce superior quality bonsai!
THE TRUE INDOOR BONSAI FAST-TRACK STUDY GROUP
            (April 2013)  In lest than a month, the most active members of the basic study group complete their first three Introductory Workshop Packages and want to continue on to more difficult projects.  Each sets his (or her) own goals and proceeds at their own pace toward the goals that they establish.  Everyone is different with different objectives.  But they share in common an enthusiasm for bonsai and willing and able to share their experiences to help others. In teaching others, they earn a better understanding and learn more too.  We hope this Journal of Tropical & True Indoor Bonsai becomes a vehicle to build a community of individuals who are willing and able to assist others.  It's a start to achieve our goal of one day having qualified bonsai instructors in every part of the United States!  You're invited to join us! 
STUDY GROUP HELP PIONEER THE 1:10 PROJECT!
           (May 2013)   Russ Mann (Montana)  and Travis Fragher (Texas) produce the first major SUMO reports using the 9" Premium 1:10 Conversion Kits to become available at special request to Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation members.  
HANALIKE II;  SPECIAL WORKSHOPS AT FUKU-BONSAI
            (June 2013)  Teaching bonsai via website and email is very difficult but we are doing it!  There's a lot that can be learned with the first three Introductory Workshop Packages.  Upon completing these, consider visiting Fuku-Bonsai for special study group member workshops or to participate in a Bonsai Day! Here's a report on Ryan's second visit activities.
INTRODUCING GEORGE McLEAN AND HIS TWO WORKSHOPS
         (July 2013)  George lives in Montana,  has done bonsai in the past, just retired,  and is getting enthused and doing great work! In the July issue there are two of his articles.  He's doing "Fast-Track Study Group" workshops with older trees and larger pots.  For most, we recommend starting with the Beginner Study Group with three Introductory Workshop Package challenges!
TWO REPORTS BY RYAN CHANG
         (August 2013)   Ryan of Waipahu, Hawaii (Oahu) is the leader of the Fast-Track Study Group and he makes progress by aggressive efforts and learning with his mistakes.  The first report is of a major boo-boo that he repositioned for an exciting future plant!  The second report takes a high-potential tree into a much higher-potential tree! Ryan contacted us at the start of the year and there are impressive photos of his 7-month collection!  The issue also introduces Rob Andersen of Utah and "Kanaka Ryan" of West Hawaii. 
          The September 2013 issue will include a general informational guide for new study group members.  To now, each member was given individual information but with the growing number of members, it makes sense to have all such information in one place.  The advanced study group members are starting to work of rock sculpturing and rock planting which requires a lot of individual recommendations depending on the rocks being developed.  Fuku-Bonsai does not sell rocks to the general public. But we supply extra supplies and special materials (including rocks) to our Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation members who participate in our various study groups.  Please request more information on how to join our study groups.  ~~~David (david.f@fukubonsai.com)
   
   

              The above are samples of articles associated with individuals in our study group.  It's a long-term win-win relationship as we build a team of individuals who are interested in learning (and possibly teaching) TRUE INDOOR BONSAI.  I recently celebrated 50 years in bonsai and have had the privilege of creating an extraordinary resource to lead the teaching of others on a national basis by providing educational materials, the actual plants and supplies, but most importantly personalized assistance!  It is now very possible to learn bonsai via email in any part of the nation!

             I am 73 years old and it is unfortunate that the last 24 years was largely spent fighting for survival after suffering ove $30 million of losses due to defective Benlate.  Total net recovery after taxes and legal costs was less than 10% of our losses.  But we survived and are now building a Tropical and True Indoor Bonsai community and a team of associates that will be leading the next generation. 

            TRUE INDOOR BONSAI has a totally different set of core principles than traditional temperate climate outdoor bonsai!   I'd rather start with those that have the interest and willingness to be a part of a team.  The concept is relatively simple as all education and techniques are based upon the unique horticultural traits of our specialty Dwarf Schefflera.  Realistically,  every single plant variety requires its own specific book!  We primarily teach Dwarf Schefflera and most of the information in standard bonsai books just are not applicable!  So it's far easier to teach beginners with no previous experience! 

             Although there's no substitute for studying here at Fuku-Bonsai, as can be seen by the Journal articles,  we're successfully teaching by email and hope to eventually have qualified instructors in all parts of the country!  We're looking for those who are interested and can qualify for professional True Indoor Bonsai careers.  The best way to see if there is a fit is to become a member of our study groups and visiting here!  We invite you to join us!

              FUKU-BONSAI AND MID-PACIFIC BONSAI FOUNDATION HAVE PARTNERED TO BE A SINGLE SOURCE FOR HOUSEPLANT BONSAI INFORMATION, ACTUAL PLANTS, AND PERSONALIZE ASSISTANCE FOR ANYONE, ANYWHERE WHO CAN GROW HOUSEPLANTS!  We are committed to customer success and building a True Indoor Bonsai community! 

        1.    Fuku-Bonsai is a certified export nursery since 1973 and ships to all states provided low temperature at the destination zip code (according to www.weather.com) is over 50°F. Our long and extensive experience and direct mail order / website customer contact has given us the needed insight to assist.

        2.    Dwarf Schefflera, the primary plant, is the most durable of all houseplants with the ideal traits for bonsai and adaptable to all indoor conditions maintained between 60°F to 85°F by either air conditioning or interior heating.  This is the natural Hawaii temperature range which allows high-quality production at reasonable costs.

TWO TRUE INDOOR BONSAI STUDY GROUPS

        1.    REGULAR OPEN MEMBER.  Simply purchase three standard Introductory Workshop Packages (IWP-8) at the regular price of $24.95 each (which qualifies for free FedEx US shipping). Total is $74.85 including FedEx U.S. shipping.  It includes detailed information with additional information on our www.fukubonsai.com website.  Please email david.f@fukubonsai.com if there are any questions,  if a critique is requested after you complete them, or if assistance is needed.  There are no formal reporting or photograph obligations. 

        2.   TRUE INDOOR BONSAI FAST-TRACK MEMBER.  This is a special on-going study group for those who complete three workshop packages and would like to continue into more difficult challenges.  Each person sets their own goals.  Members master both the standard Introductory Workshop Package and the more difficult new 1:10 Project Introductory Workshop Package that produces exceptional quality bonsai.  There are several differences and the new Premium 1:10 Conversion Kit  is in it's final trial stages. Members of this study group must agree to provide feedback and photo reports after completing each workshop package and review the critique before starting the next package.  Allowing for one month per package including reporting and critiques, the three packages should be completed within three months. We recommend becoming a member of this study group if you would like to learn "Fast-Track Bonsai," if you envision teaching with our True Indoor Bonsai Workshop Packages or becoming a Fuku-Bonsai Authorized Retailer.  Reports, excerpts, and/or photos will be published in the Journal of Tropical & True Indoor Bonsai to assist others.  By helping to teach others, members also learn! 

                   Please write me for more information and for a customized study to best fit your situation.   ~~~David W. Fukumoto (david.f@fukubonsai.com)

                    Please go to INTRODUCING THE TRUE INDOOR BONSAI STUDY GROUP AND THE FUKU-BONSAI 1:10 PREMIUM WORKSHOP PACKAGE  or email david.f@fukubonsai.com for more details.

***  Go to Journal of Tropical & True Indoor Bonsai March 2013 issue
***  Go to Journal of Tropical & True Indoor Bonsai April 2013 issue
***  Go to Journal of Tropical & True Indoor Bonsai May 2013 issue