Bonsai is an age-old horticultural artform that has been practiced for over one thousand years. It originates from an ancient Chinese tradition and was later redeveloped under the influence of Japanese Zen Buddhism.
Bonsais are miniature versions of plants that can be trained to take on different shapes or styles. The artist uses these forms to create an illusionary sense of scale within their miniature world.
Best Coast Bonsai
Bonsai art is a centuries-old discipline that requires great skill and patience to craft, yet also showcases the natural beauty of plants. Its roots lie in Japan’s aesthetic principle of transience (wabi-sabi), which embraces twistiness and imperfection. Bonsai does not strive for symmetry and often draws inspiration from local landscapes or culture.
Best Coast Bonsai in Vancouver is one of the best places to learn about bonsai, owned and operated by Tom Ulecki. Here you’ll find high-quality items such as trees, pots, and accent plants that are uniquely Canadian-grown.
This store stocks a wide selection of trees and bonsai accessories. Additionally, they host workshops and club events throughout the year.
Their extensive selection of bonsai means you’re sure to find the ideal plant for your garden or special room at home. Plus, their knowledgeable staff will offer expert advice to help you make the right choices for your space.
If you’re new to bonsai, they can provide helpful tips for growing and caring for your trees properly. Plus, they explain the different varieties of trees and their various growth habits.
Additionally, you should ensure your trees receive adequate sunlight. Avoid leaving them in the shade for too long as this could lead to faded color.
They should also be watered regularly, even during dry spells. It would also be wise to invest in a moisture meter which will alert you when your trees need drinking.
Japanese maples, Chinese vine maples and junipers are three popular trees for indoor bonsai gardens that require minimal upkeep and can easily be grown indoors. These three trees make great indoor specimens due to their ease of care requirements.
You can plant them outdoors in full sun or part shade; just remember to protect them from freezing temperatures.
Another popular tree is the jade tree, a succulent that grows rapidly and produces shiny heart-shaped leaves in bronze-green. Its thick trunk gives it an mature appearance, and its branches can be trained into stunning bonsai sculpture.
Julian Tsai
Julian Tsai is a bonsai artist from Southern California who was trained by Fujikawa Kouka-en in Japan. Through this experience, he gained expertise in both evergreen and deciduous techniques, with an emphasis on sustainability and age development in cultivation. Together with John Wang and Peter Tea, Julian collaborates to further hone his craft.
His website offers helpful advice on bonsai care, design and styling. Additionally, it gives an overview of his own creations with images showing off his artwork.
For beginners just starting out in bonsai, this site is an invaluable resource. It offers helpful articles on topics like tree types, planting techniques, soil composition and pruning techniques.
Additionally, it has a section dedicated to tips and tricks that will help you maximize your bonsai’s potential. Plus, there is an expansive library of videos and resources.
Bonsai Empire strives to foster a community where people can come together and share their love of bonsai. Additionally, they aim to nurture those aspects of bonsai which bring people together – harmony, nature and beauty.
Their blog offers helpful advice on all things bonsai and their newsletter provides insightful tips for both new and experienced growers alike. Additionally, they carry a selection of products such as tools and pots for purchase.
The site also provides a forum and social media channels for members to engage with other growers. This is an ideal opportunity for them to form new friendships and learn from one another.
East Van Bonsai was established in April 2016, originally known as New East Vancouver Bonsai Society. Their primary mission is to promote bonsai and connect with local enthusiasts. To this end, they host meetings and events throughout the year in an effort to share their passion with as many people as possible.
East Van Bonsai
Bonsai trees are works of art, resembling mature trees in miniature. They typically begin as young plants that have been aged through techniques such as root exposure, selective pruning and branch bending to achieve desirable shapes.
Bonsai art has been around for centuries, with thousands of practitioners around the world honing their skills in this ancient craft. Bonsai can serve as an educational tool, informing children on nature’s history or simply for aesthetic and cultural reasons.
One of the best ways to gain more knowledge about bonsai is by attending a show or exhibition. This gives you an opportunity to see what the hobby entails, network with others who share your enthusiasm, and pick up tips along the way.
In Vancouver, there are several shows and sales coming up that bonsai enthusiasts should visit. Some events are open to the general public while others cater specifically to this niche audience. If you’re searching for information or special offers, reach out directly to the venue for more details.
East Van Bonsai, established in April 2016, offers events and workshops on bonsai that you can attend. Their mission is to provide information and resources about this fascinating hobby while aiding newcomers to this rewarding pursuit.
They also host socials where you can bring your trees to work on together with other bonsai enthusiasts. This is an excellent chance to make new friends and talk about all things bonsai!
This club has been around for some time, with an enthusiastic following in East Vancouver. They host regular events to promote this hobby and keep things interesting for their members.
One popular exhibition they have run is Lifelines/Timelines, which examines five venerable bonsai trees and how they are connected to masterpieces in The Huntington’s collections. This exhibit was held in conjunction with The Huntington’s Centennial Celebration.
North Shore Bonsai
Bonsai is an ancient Japanese art form that involves shaping living trees into miniature sculptures. This intricate craft can take years to perfect, showing man’s reverence for nature.
Bonsai trees come in many varieties, such as pines, junipers, maples and flowering crabapples. While some make stunning bonsai specimens, others require special care and maintenance to maintain their beauty.
Juniper bonsai thrive in bright, sunny locations with some afternoon shade and can usually remain outdoors year-round. However, if temperatures regularly dip below 15oF (10oC), you may want to bring them indoors for a few days to protect them from the cold. Some species even have an internal frost protection mechanism which causes their needles to turn purple-brown when temperatures dip below freezing.
Crabapple bonsai are ideal for those who appreciate fruit and dangling fruits. When selecting your flowering or fruiting bonsai, look for varieties with large leaves in either dark red or yellow, as well as one that features drooping fruit that looks like apples. Consider trying ‘Sugar Tyme’ or ‘Red Jade’ to achieve an exquisite flowering or fruiting bonsai that has both a pleasant fragrance and captivating visual appeal.
Beech trees are a popular bonsai choice due to their variety of styles that can be created. From multi-trunk forms like sokan and sankan to growing-in-rock shapes such as ishitsuki, these trees also make great rafts with branches from one trunk atop another.
Most beech trees are small, but some can grow quite tall with thick canopies. You’ll find the European beech (Fagus sylvatica), with beautiful bark and broad leaves that make it easy to shape into an impressive bonsai. Other hardy options include American white beech (Fagus grandifolia) and Japanese white beech (Fagus crenata), both hardy enough for creating stunning bonsai pieces.
Bonsai art requires many techniques, such as pruning, trimming and sculpting. Some are traditional while others are modern innovations.