- Fuku-Bonsai president &
- founder David Fukumoto
Every so often I get to allow my razor to take a vacation and after two weeks or so get into my grungy "Karate Kid" mode. With more white hair more people believe what I advise. It also helps that the proof is all over the nursery and website!
It was during one of these times and as I continue to build my management succession team, that I got into the mood to put together a philosophy that I hope will guide the company into the future!
The Fuku-Bonsai Mission Statement & Philosophy is posted at www.fukubonsai.com/1a.html
- E-mail Newsletter!
- by David W. Fukumoto, president & founder, Fuku-Bonsai
ALOHA & MAHALO! Fuku-Bonsai is steadily emerging from an epic battle for survival that began with the spraying of defective Benlate fungicide in 1989. It's been a cruel and pitiful battle of right vs. might. You can read the details by going to Google and typing in the keywords: "DuPont fraud Fuku-Bonsai."
I'm humbled and appreciative for all the support that we've received. In our early years, we primarily grew Hawaiian Lava Plantings that were sold through Fuku-Bonsai Authorized Retailers. Increasingly, we are producing more potted bonsai. While our lava plantings are the easiest care and most successful gift bonsai for anyone who can grow houseplants, if you like the idea of training, you'll get stronger growth with potted trees.
"Keiki Bonsai" was a transitional item and the Keiki Bonsai Workshop Package is still the recommended first workshop to begin a very satisfying lifetime hobby. "Living Lovables" are increasingly popular and until December 31, 2006, we feature a MAHALO MIX & MATCH SPECIAL! Purchase any combination of five small lava plantings (with display dish or saucer) and/or Living Lovables for $99.95 and get free shipping! That's just $20 each including shipping and a great way to build up your bonsai collection AND obtain some great Christmas gifts!
Fuku-Bonsai's initial styling technique was "massive reduction-building" which we call "SUMO!" From there we developed an elegant tropical "ROOTS!" and this is increasingly popular in 4LL8 and 8LS8. But suddenly everyone is recognizing that "HAWAIIAN DRAGONS!" also have a lot of potential. Our start into learning "dragon styling" began with inspiration from Hong Kong penjing master Yee-sun Wu. There are several articles about "dragon styling" in this issue as well as an introduction to our new lower-price custom collection.
FUKU-BONSAI NOW ACCEPTS CREDIT CARDS! For an old-fashioned company, this is a big deal! We have a unique order form and an easy credit card processing system! Please try it and include some comments!
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NEW LOWER PRICED
CUSTOM COLLECTION!
- Visitors to the Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center quickly purchased recently potted advanced workshop demonstration trees in larger oval pots. So, we are offering a wider range of lower priced custom collection for those wanting to train a large True Indoor Bonsai. INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL: 10% OFF ALL CUSTOM COLLECTION TO DECEMBER 31, 2006!
- NEW PAYPAL CREDIT CARD PROCESSING!
- We now accept credit cards! This has been the overwhelming largest suggestion over the years. But we couldn't develop a secured website. Then PayPal stepped in! It's now as easy as "A" > "B" > "C"!
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NEW FUKUBONSAI.COM
ORDER FORM!
- We wanted an order form that would include complete information for multiple shipping addresses that could be reviewed and include questions or to tell us how your Fuku-Bonsai items are doing. Check it out and make suggestions for improvements! 5% CASH DISCOUNT WHEN YOU FILL OUT, PRINT, AND MAIL IN WITH CHECK!
- NEW ORDERING INFORMATION
- "KEEP IT SIMPLE" is a whole lot easier said then done! We tried and it's in a single page! Did we leave anything out?
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EBAY STORE REPORT -
October 2006
- It was an interesting and satisfying experience to put up an eBay Store but after a 5-month trial, we've decided to scale back and refocus on improving the Fuku-Bonsai website. The Ebay Store just couldn't get us all needed information correct and complete in one step. We learned and the report includes the great feedback that we received.
ADDITIONS TO THE TRUE INDOOR BONSAI WEBSITE:
- In memory: HIROSHI IKEDA, "The Spirit of Big Island Aloha!" More than anyone else, Hiroshi reflected the history, generosity and the goodness of an idealized bonsai community. He led in the creation and development of our sister non-profit Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation that co-sponsors bonsai education and the Hawaii State Bonsai Repository at the Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center. He contributed enthusiasm, energy, and leadership to help focus international attention on Big Island bonsai. All of us have lost a very special friend. Reproduced is a 1991 published article about him and his 1985 essay: "BONSAI . . . A WAY TO PEACE!"
- THREE CONCEPTS II; prototypes and variations for the future! Sumo, Roots, and Dragons are a part of our product lines. As we work to meet customer recommendations and requests, we're learning a lot more. Here's where we're going in the future! CUSTOM COLLECTION includes recently potted up sumo, roots, and dragons in 17X12X2 oval pots priced $250 and up + $10 shipping!
- Ron's Page: SUSHI, ETC.!
- I've discovered a fellow with a poetic soul! Ron Davis of Montana took a workshop here in May 2006. He's a delightful guy that does his own thing in his own nice way. I urged him to tell the story in his own words and he did!
- FERTILIZING; revised recommendations!
- MagAmp is a unique pellet fertilizer that reliably releases tiny amounts of nutrients over a long period of time for those seeking optimum growth! It is ideal for orchids, houseplants, and True Indoor Bonsai. It is generally available only to professional growers in major orchid growing regions in large bags. It is now available for Fuku-Bonsai customers!
- BIG ISLAND BONSAI ASSOCIATION'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY ALL-BIG ISLAND BONSAI SHOW!
- On June 30 and July 1, 2006, BIBA celebrated its 25th All-Big Island Bonsai Show with several themes: "Looking back on the past" and "Passing the torch to the next generation." The original founders were honored. Also honored was the late Yee-sun Wu of Hong Kong.
- A TROPICAL PENJING LECTURE-DEMONSTRATION HONORING YEE-SUN WU Yee-sun Wu made the greatest individual contribution in introducing the culture and the practices of aristocratic Chinese penjing to the world! Man Lung Penjing is the art of the scholar-farmer based upon a sound knowledge of horticultural principles blended with the academic philosophy of the Chinese elite literary class. The presentation was a part of the Big Island Bonsai Association 25th anniversary show.
- MICRO-LOBSTER NEWS:
- PIPIPI UPDATE!
- To an average layman, snails look alike. These two are even known by the same "pipipi" name. But they are different and here's how to tell them apart . . . in Cory Pittman's own words! Also introduced is another tiny inhabitant of one of our tanks!