MICHAEL S. IMAINO
President
 
EDISON YADAO
Vice-President
 
Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation MPBF@fukubonsai.com
___________
 
Journal Editor
DAVID W. FUKUMOTO
President, Fuku-Bonsai Inc.
(Kurtistown, Hawaii)

 

Journal Contributing Editor Emeritus
JERRY MEISLIK
Author, bonsai instructor & Ficus (Fig) authority
(Whitefish, Montana)
 
Journal Contributing Editors
RYAN CHANG
Leader of Study Groups
(Waipahu, Oahu, Hawaii)
ryan_a_chang@msn.com
JOHN "JAY" BORYCZKO
"In & Out" specialist
(Farmington Hills, Michigan
Bonsaijay@outlook.com
 
THOMAS MATKEY
(Glendora, California)
 
Journal Contributing Writers
 
RON DAVIS
(Bozeman, Montana)
 
RUSS MANN
(Polson, Montana) rmann.n.az@gmail.com
 
TRAVIS FARGHER
(Long Beach, California)
ROB ANDERSEN
(Pleasant View, Utah)
 
BURTON FLAKE
(Virginia / Bahrain)
 
JOSHUA ROWSON
(Brooklyn, New York)
 
PAUL BAKERMAN
(Phoenix, Arizona)
 
GEORGE McLEAN
(Kalispell, Montana)
 
CAROL TINGLEY
(Apex, North Carolina)
 
ORA SCOTT
(Huntsville, Alabama)
 
DAVID RAIKOW
(Volcano, Hawaii)
Aloha & welcome to the 9th issue of our second year as we build a
national and international Tropical & True Indoor Bonsai Community!

 
 
 
ISSUE #21. SEPTEMBER 2014
 
Dedicated to and honoring Jerry Meislik named
as our Journal Contributing Editor Emeritus!
 
 

A CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO GREATER AMERICAN BONSAI SUCCESS

          With Jerry's participation, we've acquired the credibility to influence the future of bonsai. There has always been a huge confusion.  But now American Bonsai seems to be veering off into two very different directions.  Most of the organized bonsai community seemed to be focusing on an American version of traditional Japanese outdoor temperate climate bonsai that is extremely difficult and requires a massive commitment and discipline to be successful.  It's the elite form of bonsai that may be suitable for 1/10th of 1% of the American population or less. 

 
         There's huge bonsai interest, but those interested are being preyed upon by unscrupulous bonsai venders who promote and hide behind the term "INDOOR BONSAI" to peddle trees that are mostly outdoor trees or require a very high light level that would not successfully grow in ordinary homes and offices!  Those guilty of participating in this misrepresentation includes most bonsai organizations, Amazon, Google, big box retailers, and the guy pedaling juniper bonsai in malls and alongside the road who claims they thrive indoors but won't give you his name and contact information if you buy one and need help!  THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS!
 
         True Indoor Bonsai has come a long way since we began in 1962.  It's the most successful gift bonsai for anyone, anywhere who can grow houseplants.  Dwarf Schefflera is the ideal durable houseplant that can be trained into more shapes and faster than any other bonsai tree.  Fuku-Bonsai's Prepared Bonsai Stock (PBS) makes every plant a high-potential bonsai. Those gradating from the Beginner Study Group into the Fast-Track Study Group will have access to Premium Prepared Bonsai Stock (PPBS) which is ideal for training into Mini Bonsai.  
 
         Most prefer to purchase bonsai and Fuku-Bonsai's True Indoor Bonsai are the most successful gift bonsai for anyone, anywhere who can grow houseplants. If you're in this category, consider us the next time you need a gift bonsai.  We guarantee satisfaction and safe arrival!  But for those who want to learn to train bonsai,  THIS IS THE PLACE! 
 
            The Introductory Workshop Package is the easiest way to learn (or teach).  Whether you want to try one unit, or start of with 4 units as a member of the Beginner Study Group, it'll start you into a satisfying lifelong hobby!  Please write for more information if interested.
 
~~~David, Journal editor (david.f@fukubonsai.com)
Fuku-Bonsai president & founder
 
JOURNAL OF TROPICAL & TRUE INDOOR BONSAI AUGUST SPECIAL: 10% OFF ALL PREMIUM POTTED BONSAI AND CUSTOM COLLECTION FOR ALL SEPTEMBER 2014 ORDERS! Fuku-Bonsai is the international pioneer of True Indoor Bonsai™ . . . the growing of proven durable houseplants as bonsai . . . the most successful form of bonsai that are ideal to give as gifts.
JOURNAL TRANSITION REPORT
             With Jerry's support, the Journal is now well established and we are building a stronger larger editorial team to be able to honor him as Journal Contributing Editor Emeritus! 
MEMORIES OF JERRY
        By Jay Boryczko, Journal contributing editor writes the lead article that shares a bonsai story of a tree he's thinking of naming "Meislik" to honor Jerry
THE GANG'S ALL HERE!  JAY'S ONE-YEAR REPORT!
          It's hard to believe a year has gone by already. You may recall I did well with my first two of the three workshops. I am happy to report all three have put on a lot of green top growth, hopefully that translated into a lot of root growth. Here in Michigan the best time to repot indoor tropical trees is late June to early August. This article will cover my first three introductory workshop trees “Sumo,” “Roots” and “Root Over Rock.”
FUKU-BONSAI SEPTEMBER 2014 REPORT
         Hurricane Iselle was down-graded to a tropical storm before it slammed into the Big Island and devastated parts of Puna district.  But we escaped the brunt of the storm and repairs are well underway.  It may cause delays of other plays which are laid out in this report.
MINI-BONSAI II
         We are recognizing that there is now a major breakthrough in progress!  Small bonsai was thought to be too difficult for True Indoor Bonsai as Dwarf Schefflera has large leaves.  But this article will convince you that this is not so!
WHERE THERE IS LIFE THERE IS  .  .  .
         By Jerry Meislike, Journal contributing editor emeritus sharing an enlightening history of a notable bonsai that includes a guts start, innovative techniques, and the good, but not always happy bonsai ending. 
GROWING WILD!  SURINAM CHERRY - FIRST PROGRESS REPORT
        By Ryan Chan, Journal contributing editor as he starts to expand his bonsai adventure beyound Dwarf Schefflera and begins learning Surinam Cherry with both seedlings and older plants.
       By Thomas Matkey, Journal contributing editor.  Tom is locking in the basics in a very methodical way and questioned why a second potting media method is showing up in Journal articles.  To run trials he had to rescreen the media, so first he reports on how he put together a set of screening boxes.
MEDIA MIX COMPARISON REPORT
        By Thomas Matkey, Journal contributing editor.    While Fuku-Bonsai's 3 component unimix works well when the media surface is flat and below the pot rim, members of the Fast-Track Study Group are moving toward an experimental method using several layers of aggregate only with an organic-rich topping when contouring the surface and using a foil cover to encourage hair roots.

 
INTRODUCING JEFF SMITH - FIRST IWP SUMO REPORT
         Jeff is the newest member of the Beginner Study Group with a "far-above-average first report.  He takes great photos, writes well, and responds quickly --- all the qualities of a great potential Fast-Track Study Group member!
MAILBAG - September 2014
          This month there were no requests for help.  So I used the mailbag to publish a legal notice, and to invited volunteers.  David Raikow who graduated from the Beginning Study Group last month has volunteered to come up with a plan to improve and redo the Fuku-Bonsai website and is assembling a team of individuals who knows more than he does. If you have such website skills,  suggestions, and recommendation and are willing and able to assist, please contact me.