Fuku-Bonsai's mission is to create high-success beginner bonsai for anyone who can grow houseplants. Since 1973, we've built a loyal repeat clientele of those who love our Hawaiian Lava Plantings which make long-lasting slow-growing indoor decorations. But many don't venture into potting and bonsai training. Since KEIKI BONSAI was introduced in October 2000, there's greater interest in promoting stronger growth and training. A typical scene took place in early June 2001 at the Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center in Kurtistown.
Hollis Fullerton and her family from Kansas City, Missouri were on their third Fuku-Bonsai visit, had purchased a number of plants in the past, and except for one that is struggling, has been very successful . . . even with the Pachira whose leaves got chewed off twice by a cat and recovered. The suggested solution for the struggling plant was to enlarge the root system and I recommended Hollis do a PREMIUM KEIKI BONSAI WORKSHOP PACKAGE with me coaching. She did great. I asked her if she'd write her thoughts and she did:
" The workshop was so helpful with the whole concept of Bonsai from the very beginning to 30 years from now. Understanding the entire procedure enables one to continue with Bonsai indefinitely. David said that pruning the Bonsai is not for the timid but the benefits will be worthwhile. His enthusiasm is contagious and I feel inspired to begin trying Bonsai from scratch at home. I highly recommend the workshop to anyone that enjoys gardening or plants in general. "
It was wonderful to spend some time with such nice people. The Fullertons are typical of Fuku-Bonsai customers in that they enjoy a busy lifestyle and take vacations to collect experiences. The workshop simply brought together what she already knew into an effective mental package to guide her into a comfortable additional new leisure activity. Some points:
The entire concept of outstanding bonsai parallels a seedling that is shaped by unique forces of nature or circumstances to grow into an exceptional, magnificent tree.
Most trees never achieve this special beauty. Similarly, thin fast-growing trees without character are also less desirable for beginner workshops. Fuku-Bonsai's Premium Keiki Bonsai Workshop's Prepared Bonsai Stock allows a beginner to start at the most interesting point because there's already character and interest. This is important because your ability to train bonsai depends upon the clarity of your vision of your mature model tree.
Bonsai training is based upon "building" principles in which the seedling's apical growth tip and the tap root are pinched. This produces additional branching and a shallow root system only if the tree is growing strongly.
If you want to train bonsai, you've got to create optimum growing conditions. If a plant is healthy and growing vigorously, it will respond in a very predicable manner and will be a joy to train.
Hollis is well on her way and I look forward to receiving additional photos to better understand her growing environment as we track her progress. Initial potting is difficult if ordinary nursery plants are used. If the root ball is loosened and roots pruned, high levels of bonsai and horticultural skills are required. Fuku-Bonsai's Premium Keiki Bonsai Workshop Package teaches potting techniques with a well-established lava planting with additional roots over and through the rock and it's high-success because it is almost impossible to damage the roots. If you're not successful the first time, you can do it again and again until you fully develop the necessary tie-down skills. If you're a past customer now ready to convert to training your Hawaiian Lava Planting, conversion kits are available at the bottom of Gift List & Prices.
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To create vigorous Fuku-Bonsai lava planting growth, enlarge the root system. Fuku-Bonsai offers two conversion kits. The #8 size is suitable for the small or desk size lava plantings. The #17 size is suitable for the medium size Dwarf Schefflera lava planting as being completed by Christine, our Plant Mama, and coached by Willie, our Customer Service Representative. See Lesson #1: Potting |
I'm a "bonsai populist" and delighted when our customers report success! Bonsai can and should be a wonderful beneficial hobby to allow people to connect with natural things to earn the serenity and peace that comes with man and nature being in harmony. The great bonsai master Saburo Kato simply states that growing bonsai are just like growing children. I've admired his bonsai creations but have been more impressed by the purity of his thoughts. Please study The Spirit and Philosophy of Bonsai and Saburo Kato and The Challenge of Bonsai.
After 39 years of field trials, Fuku-Bonsai's TRUE INDOOR BONSAI is the most successful gift bonsai for anyone who can grow houseplants and PREPARED KEIKI BONSAI WORKSHOP PACKAGE is the most successful way to learn! I humbly thank the many people who have assisted and participated in achieving these goals! For more information, go to FUKU-BONSAI STUDY GROUP INTRODUCTION
- David W. Fukumoto, founder & president, Fuku-Bonsai Inc. June 2001