Journal Contributing Editor

JERRY MEISLIK

Author, bonsai instructor

www.bonsaihunk.us

jerry@bonsaihunk.us

 

              Those in Hawaii are strongly influenced by Haruo "Papa" Kaneshiro and those in the "Greatest Generation."  American and Japanese leaders were once wartime enemies who came together  and positioned bonsai as a bridge to international friendship and peace.

              As editor,  I seek a balance between the continuity of history and tradition; and innovation, creativity and change.  The last 50 years of artistic pot plants has seen remarkable revolutionary and evolutionary change including the shift from outdoor temperate climate trees to the trees of the tropics and a movement to growing them indoors.  This changed the classical single apex-tier branch pine-tree shape to a multiple apex-arched branched structure that include aerial roots and banyan designs.  Chinese styling concepts added creativity toward living sculptural art.  More changes and innovations will come as new generations of Americans participate. 

             The Journal is a vehicle to encourage and teach in a very straightforward American way.  If done by traditional ways to try to teach all possible plants to be grown in all possible conditions,  bonsai is extremely complex and almost impossible to master.  Bonsai can be reasonably simple and successful. 

              First, start with Dwarf Schefflera, the ideal tree that grows indoors in all parts of the United States (or outdoors when low night temperatures exceed 55°F). Second,  start with trees that have a lot of trunk character and interest to avoid the most difficult early years to develop those traits. Then learn to grow the tree to the optimum health!  A healthy tree will be long lived and be easier to train and maintain.  

              We hope the Journal will contribution to greater understanding by all  ---  whether the dedicated artist-craftsmen who create, casual hobbyists, or patrons and supporters who purchase, maintain, and enjoy the trees.

              E KOMO MAI . . . come discover the serenity of nature, the beauty of bonsai, and the spirit of Hawaii!

Super Special

Summer Sale!

25% OFF ALL CUSTOM COLLECTION!

         Sale starts June 22, 2013 and ends July 21, 2013.

INTRODUCTION AND UPDATED CUSTOM COLLECTION INFORMATION

            Now's the ideal and safest time to ship the "Cream of our crop!" For the next few weeks, we'll be posting Sumo's, Roots, and Hawaiian Dragons including some of the oldest ever released.  Check them out and if you don't see any that you like,  send us an email with description, styling, and budget range!

           "SUMO" CUSTOM COLLECTION

           "ROOTS" CUSTOM COLLECTION

           "HAWAIIAN DRAGON" CUSTOM COLLECTION

HIGH INTENSITY LIGHTING & HIGH LIGHT REQUIRING TREES

          Light is the key to obtaining the best possible growth and this article discusses fluorescent lights as well as high intensity metal halide lights.  Jerry introduces a few of his Michigan friends who have grown and created exceptional bonsai indoors! (A monthly feature article by Jerry "Bonsaihunk" Meislik, MPBF Journal contributing editor, Whitefish, Montana) 

HANALIKE II - A major group workshop creation!

        On May 10, 2013,  an innovative tropical bonsai arrangement was created that used a rotted hollow trunk,  five older trees ranging from 8 to 28 years old, as a variation of "EPIPHYTIC BONSAI" styling!

THREE-MONTH 1:10 PROJECT THREE PARTICIPANT REPORTS

        Three months ago,  Ryan Chang (Hawaii), Larry Sullivan (Oregon) and David Fukumoto (Fuku-Bonsai) did a "Fast-Track" set of workshops as posted at www.fukubonsai.com/1a94d.html.   Ryan takes the lead in evaluating the progress since with one exceptional, one dead, with the others in various stages in between!  The report shows how plants grow differently when given different care.

1:10 EXTENDING ROOTS PROJECT #2 REPORT

          This is the second Journal  article by contributing writer Travis Fragher of Long Beach, California who sailed through his first. But this one turned out to be more of a challenge and in sharing the challenges, we all learn and move forward together! 

“THRILLING WATERFALL - ROLLER COASTER!"

           By Journal contributing writer Ryan Chang (Waipahu, Oahu, Hawaii). This is a significant "how-to" article for those with large growing areas interested in creating outstanding large high-quality bonsai.  It takes a lot of time and includes many steps.  Ryan provides details of the important "Accelerated Growth Training" stage.   

LEARNING AND TEACHING TRUE INDOOR BONSAI!

This portal page is for serious trainers who want to learn "Fast-Track Bonsai," for those who will likely be teaching True Indoor Bonsai with our workshop packages, for those who want to learn how to create exceptional 1:10 Project bonsai in shallow saucer-pots, etc. Each individual's route is customized to fit their situation. Participants make a pre-report to address questions, produce a project report with photos, receive a critique, produce a pre-report for the second planting, etc. Extra direct assistance makes possible fast-track progress! Beginners, intermediate, or advanced hobbyists are invited to participate! Email david.f@fukubonsai.com for more information.

MAILBAG

           News and topics of interest!  Recommendation of Bonsai Clubs International's magazine.

  *** Go to the premier January 2013 issue of Journal of Tropical & True Indoor Bonsai

  *** Go to the second February 2013 issue of Journal of Tropical & True Indoor Bonsai

  *** Go to the third March 2013 issue of Journal of Tropical & True Indoor Bonsai

  *** Go to the fourth April 2013 issue of Journal of Tropical & True Indoor Bonsai

  *** Go to the fifth May 2013 issue of Journal of Tropical & True Indoor Bonsai

 

  ***  Go to the Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation website

  ***  Go to the Fuku-Bonsai website

         © Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation and Fuku-Bonsai, 2013