It is the care and culture of miniature trees: an art form, a living treasure that holds beauty, serenity and peace. These trees represent a small piece of nature - a high mountainside, a forest glen - 'captured as if by magic at a perfect moment and preserved in an impossibly shallow container.' Much to contrary opinion, these trees are not 'tortured.' In fact they are extremely well cared for, and very healthy and vigorous. It is important to remember that they want to live outside, just as their full-sized counter parts do.
As members of this group, we meet monthly to study principles that demystify this magic. These principles are a combination of artistic expression and common sense garden practices. We're amateurs eager to learn and share our knowledge. We welcome other plant and garden novices, enthusiasts and experts!
The elements of Bonsai that we study include:
We refer to different books, old and new. We use a month-by-month instruction calendar assembled by the East Bay Bonsai Society. We visit local nurseries such as Dwight Way Nursery, which has a nice Bonsai collection and lots of tools, pots, and prepared soils. We attend shows and demonstrations to observe how the best finished plants are presented and to further learn techniques. And we support the Bonsai collection at the Lakeside Garden Center, in Oakland. This is a fabulous Bonsai collection. It is free and open to the public. It has many extraordinary specimens, donations which have been given locally as well as from Japan.
Please join us! Explore and enjoy this ancient art and a continuing tradition, Bonsai.