RON DAVIS & FUKU-BONSAI

(Portal Page)

       Ron Davis is from Montana and over the years,  he's visited several times.  The first time was in May of 2006.  When he came we had recently done a workshop with Beth Carroll  and John Sheipe of JAHNSAI BONSAI of Homer, Alaska in which a driftwood was mounted onto a flat plastic so it would stand properly and be easily anchored into the pot.  The Alaska gang get slow growth and being impatient like any true American, they like the idea of speeding up the bonsai process.  Alaska has a lot of driftwood, so instead of using a rock to get a taller bonsai, we tried to elevate it on a driftwood.

          I happened to have a branch with a concreted base and Ron tried it, got hooked, and started to run trials on improving his environment to get better growth.  He placed his plant next to a window and obtained a higher intensity flourescent lamp with a gooseneck holder and faced it low an aiming towards the window to get strong directional light from both sides.  He got great growth!

         Ron is also an excellent writer and takes great photos.  So I enjoy keeping up with the progress of his trees and when he writes ahead that he'll be visiting, we have something to challenge him!

RON'S PAGE:  SUSHI, ETC.! 

          Ron took a workshop at Fuku-Bonsai, went home, and began to adapt Hawaiian tropical techniques to Montana.  He also grows temperate climate outdoor bonsai and his delightful story contrasts the two types of bonsai.  But as importantly, it shares the soul and spirit of a wonderful person!  Here's his first story.

RON & INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP PACKAGE.

          A step-by-step photo-story by Ron Davis of Montana putting together IWP-8.  As we were preparing to release the Introductory Workshop Package, we asked Ron for a critique.  (April 2007)

REFINING MATURE DWARF SCHEFFLERA BONSAI

          Ron Davis of Montana and Phil Bill of California visited at the same time and got a nice class on how to refine larger older bonsai.  It was written up and was published in the American Bonsai Society Journal in Volume 44; No. 1 (Winter) 2010.  Reproduced under author rights.

RON TEACHES THE NEW FUKU-BONSAI STAFF!  

           Ron's most recent visit turns out to be a learning experience for everyone and starts a new bonsai training challenge!  (March 2011)

RON'S 1:10 PROJECT

 

         THE GOALS:  To build confidence and a can-do spirit in a person who has mastered the basic challenge of growing houseplant bonsai in his environment. To create highest quality bonsai with strong planning and assistance in small shallow 7"diameter x 1" saucer-pots.  To prove it is not necessary to utilize deep bonsai pots for houseplant bonsai.

 

         THE CHALLENGE:    With eight shallow saucer-pots, media, and eight choice 2" size prepared bonsai stock to create eight unique bonsai! 

 

Introduction and report #1-Sumo

          Report #2 - Roots

Report #3 - Planting between rocks

          Report #4 - Dragons

Report #5 - Rock pile planting

SUMO:   IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED . . .

           Ron began his 1:10 Project about the same time that the Fuku-Bonsai staff received their first class.  This is his first update report of Sumo #1.  He's had great growth and while his development is behind, he's got an impressive heavy trunk with exciting potential!