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ISSUE #15. MARCH 2014
ALOHA! This issue starts a celebration as we are seeing the
first signs of recovery from our 1989 losses of over $30 million and I want to
thank everyone for the great support that made it possible! Life is not
fair but we survived and I am confident we will rebuild, expand, and support and
supply the next generation!
The partnership of Fuku-Bonsai and Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation to co-sponsor the Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center and
Hawaii State Bonsai Repository, the
www.fukubonsai.com
website, and the Journal of Tropical & True Indoor Bonsai
created the first national Tropical and True Indoor Bonsai educational resource,
supplier of specific high-potential plants, and customized personal assistance
for those who become members of the Foundation and study groups. It is a
key factor in the post-Fukumoto succession plan!
Very few ever have the opportunity to pursue a lifework and I've been blessed!
I think back to when I started in 1962 when bonsai was a secretive pastime of
old Japanese men whose limited opportunities caused them to hoard "secrets" to
take with them to their graves. Looking back, they really didn't
know or understand bonsai.
It took the members of Hawaii's "Greatest Generation" to set bonsai on the right
track in alliance with Japan to help bonsai become an international art and
hobby. In Hawaii, the key person was Haruo "Papa" Kaneshiro, who we
honor as the "Father of Tropical Hawaiian Bonsai." Papa passed away 22
years ago following the opening of the Kona Fuku-Bonsai Center. As part of
the grand opening, we put together "CREATING A BONSAI WORLD!" It was the
first multi-rock, multi-tree 360° complex landscape attractive from all viewing
points and now mounted on a turntable. We dedicated it to Papa.
Twenty-two years later, the trees are maturing and photos are being published for
the first time. It gets more attention than any other bonsai here and
serves as the inspiration and goal for training future generations. When
we began the Journal in January of 2013, the immediate goal was to teach the
basics and help all of our stakeholders become successful. I really want
all of our customers to be successful and our efforts to bring joy!
CREATING A TROPICAL & TRUE INDOOR BONSAI COMMUNITY!
So I am pleased that problems surfaced, were addressed, and that it is very
likely that Fuku-Bonsai's Dwarf Schefflera will continue to be the most
successful gift bonsai for anyone, anywhere who can grow houseplants!
While we applaud those who do the most challenging and difficult traditional
temperate climate outdoor bonsai, I am much more concerned about True Indoor
Bonsai becoming the basis for Popular Bonsai for everyone!
I recognize that many are interested and want to enjoy bonsai personally and our
Hawaiian Lava Plantings continue to be recommended as gifts for those not
willing or able to study more challenging bonsai training. So the Journal
will continue to try to provide information to improve the health and enjoyment
as well as feature educational articles at beginner, intermediate and advanced
levels.
TRAINING AND SUPPLYING HIGH POTENTIAL TRUE INDOOR BONSAI!
We cannot be everything to everybody and we resist expanding our product line
beyond our Dwarf Schefflera specialty. It makes sense to specialize when
that plant is far superior to any other plant and Fuku-Bonsai clearly produces
the finest quality available at any price! Why would we want to grow plants that
will be less successful?
There is growing demand and in the future we may expand the product line
depending on a number of factors. We have been discussing the Foundation
having a section of the nursery for production of a few other specialty items.
But right now, there is a much stronger growing demand by those who want higher
quality older Dwarf Schefflera prepared bonsai stock and we are finalizing the
Premium Introductory Bonsai Package to be introduced this year.
Our plans are to offer these new products only to members of the Foundation and
the study groups as a special benefit of membership. We will also begin offering
older innovative products in our one-of-a-kind Custom Collection line including
trees that were created as part of Journal articles. As we improve the
Fuku-Bonsai exhibit collection, we will pare down the number of trees and these
will be available to qualified buyers. Please email if interested.
There's a lot going on behind the scenes as articles often are written to assist
study group members or as special workshops when such members have planned
visits. There's really nothing like taking workshops at Fuku-Bonsai and I
hope more do so. If you're planning a trip to Hawaii, please email ahead
and plan to do a workshop here. But better yet, first join a Beginner
Study Group so you'll already have a lot of the basic knowledge and can really
learn a lot while here!
~~~David, Journal editor (david.f@fukubonsai.com)
Fuku-Bonsai president & founder
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