At one time Fuku-Bonsai produced popular Hawaiian Lava Plantings. These are still a large part of our production as they are the easiest care, most successful gift bonsai. That's because the plant is stabilized for slow growth and the roots within the lava rock are protected and less likely to be damaged. Initially, we created the "Keiki Bonsai" concept of developing additional roots outside the lava rock for more vigorous growth and the "Keiki Bonsai Workshop Package" (including a #7 Conversion Kit) is still the best value and way to learn potting.
Since we introduced the three concepts of SUMO, ROOTS, and DRAGONS, bonsai is more fun! A bit more skill is required as without the rock protection, it is easier to damage the roots. But growth is also faster, ESPECIALLY IF YOU CREATE AN OPTIMUM GROWING ENVIRONMENT! To continue to address customer requests, we are developing products that will one day meet various requirements and budgets.
|
THE THREE BASIC CONCEPTS
SUMO seems to be accepted as the "basic style" as the concept produces a full range of banyan stylings. ROOTS reflects and features elegant banyan roots and the styling is becoming more popular. It is also utilized for rock planting workshops. DRAGONS are the newest design concept and two distinct styles are developing.
|
|
CUSTOMERS WANT A LARGER SIZE THAT IS ALREADY POTTED! Of those who grow
only a few bonsai, there seems to be a preference for a larger
size that is already fully established.
At the Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center, there's a fair number who start off with the "advanced workshops" in which an 8LS Living Sculpture is potted into a #17 Conversion Kit. The "demonstration plants" are being purchased. #17LS8 will one day be available in three styling concepts.
|
|
SUMO! Short and stout and a picture of health! With a
very dramatic initial cut, we force low branches, multiple trunks, and
create trunks "with character!"
Quality begins with 4LL8-S and training can continue to produce outstanding "mame" (small) bonsai. Or use several in a landscape planting. Or pot up to create a larger bonsai. It's possible to create larger bonsai from a 4LL8-S but for those in a hurry, we offer the 8LS8-S and the 17LS8-S. For those who can handle our plants, there's also the older "cream-of-the-crop" Custom Collection items in training since the 1970's.
|
|
ROOTS! Innovative tropical bonsai design; the essence of
elegant banyans! These have all the exciting features of Sumo concepts
but atop an elevated column of roots!
In nature banyans start in the branches of other trees, strangle the host tree, and develop a high, broad canopy high above the ground. These are especially attractive indoors and are becoming more popular each year! Roots are also outstanding for use in rock planting workshops. Limited quantities of 17LS8-R are available. Please request availability or reserve.
|
|
DRAGONS! Swirling, twirling fun bonsai! These will never be
boring! Imagine a tree with dynamic training and the spirit of a dragon!
We start with a very sharp bend in the trunk while the tree is very young to start it on to a non-traditional bonsai future. The roots are also trained into a dynamic design. By adding more and more character with each size, dragons are all exciting trees. Dragons are our newest concept and as we continue to work on them, new ideas are producing new prototypes and new designs!
|
|
CUSTOM COLLECTION DRAGON PROTOTYPE! There are an unlimited number
of ways to train both trunks and roots if you accept that training
continues forever!
Train a nice small tree and enjoy it. Then add another layer of training to give it more personality and character Grow it on for a few more years. Rethink the entire process, revise, re-do, recreate into a unique individual! Dragons are the hardest to train. When done to the highest standards, each is a unique tree! By training and retraining the trunks, roots, and branches, exciting designs are possible!
|
SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
We've come a long way in introducing True Indoor Bonsai. We've built the foundation for the enjoyment of a tropical form of bonsai that can be an art, a craft, and a hobby. In sharing and teaching our techniques we've encouraged the enjoyment of bonsai as a craft that can be more challenging than simple container gardening. We've always been excited about bonsai as an art and hobby to be enjoyed. Thank you for helping to make Fuku-Bonsai possible.
~~~ David W. Fukumoto, president, Fuku-Bonsai Inc. (August 2006)
*** Go back to Introduction of Three Concepts
- *** Return to Fuku-Bonsai Home page
- *** Return to Training True Indoor Bonsai (portal page)
- *** Go to Fuku-Bonsai Workshop items (including conversion kits)
© Fuku-Bonsai Inc. 2006
- You are cordially invited to visit the home of True Indoor Bonsai and Micro-Lobsters!
- FUKU-BONSAI CULTURAL CENTER & HAWAII STATE BONSAI REPOSITORY
- PO Box 6000, Kurtistown, Hawaii 96760 Phone (808) 982-9880
- FAX (808) 982-9883 Email: sales@fukubonsai.com URL: www.fukubonsai.com