Have you ever heard anyone say they have been bitten by the Bonsai bug? It’s funny how you hear a common expression and don’t think twice about it until one day you stop and wonder how it started. Of course, the idiom really means someone who is enthusiastic (or possibly even about to become obsessive) about something (like a hobby). But it makes me think of someone swatting a bug as if it’s something they must kill or stop. And I don’t want to stop creating bonsai, I want to learn more every day. Hobbies have come and gone but bonsai has continued in my life. I have wondered exactly why that is. Not all questions have been answered but I really appreciate this short film, American Shokunin, which was chosen to be displayed in National Geographic’s Short Film Series with Ryan Neil of Bonsai Mirai. It makes you really think about bonsai in a different way.

To quote Ryan Neil, “I think once you start practicing bonsai and bonsai gets inside you, you’ll never look at trees the same again.” Another quote in this video from The Artisan’s Cup, “A master is somebody who every single day tries to pursue perfection at their chosen endeavor.”

Here is a direct link to the video above: https://vimeo.com/119134995

Congratulations to all the artists that were accepted to participate in The Artisan’s Cup. Especially I want to congratulate Paul Pikel and other Florida artists: Louise Leister, Mike Lebanik, and Michael Feduccia who will be displaying their beautiful bonsai in Portland. (If I left anyone out, please forgive). The full list can be found on The Artisan’s Cup web site, as well as, a lot more information about the event. By the way, Joshua Roth is one of the sponsors of the Artisan’s Cup.

Some of you may recognize Paul’s name from his bonsai teaching videos on this web site. People often tell me they are really thankful that the videos are here. That tells me people want to learn more about bonsai. Although Paul no longer owns or runs OrlandoBonsai.com, you will always find any new videos he creates here as well as on OrlandoBonsaiTV which is his youtube site. Paul and I joined the Central Florida Bonsai Club around the same time and remain in close contact so your comments do get communicated.

So whether you have been bitten by the bonsai bug, are an avid enthusiast, a newbie, or hoping to become a master, we hope our web site is informative and helpful in your bonsai journey.

Enjoy bonsai and life.

Sandy Racinski, Orlando Bonsai

(As always, if you have a question or are looking for a particular tool, pot, tree or stand, please ask even if you don’t see it on the store. If we don’t have it, we may be able to find it for you).

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Bonsai Societies of Florida will hold “Bonsai by Design”, their 42nd Annual Convention on May 21-25, 2015 at the Florida Hotel & Conference Center at the Florida Mall, 8001 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando FL 32809. It is Orlando’s largest retail shopping mall and close to Orlando International Airport. Registration begins Thursday evening from 7 until 9 pm.

Bonsai by Design features well known artists David DeGroot & Guy Guidry. It will be an exciting weekend of Demonstrations, Workshops, Vendors, Specimen Exhibit Trees, Raffles, Scholarship Competition, Club Night, Auctions and Camaraderie. For a complete itinerary and more, go to www.bonsai-bsf.com.

Orlando Bonsai will be a vendor there selling tools, pots, accessories, display stands, trees and more. Come meet Sandy, Orlando Bonsai’s owner, in person if you haven’t already. Ask for your special SHOW discount. Former owner, Paul Pikel will also be there teaching a Bonsai Photography workshop. Maybe you can stop by and ask him what the subject of his next Bonsai video will be.

Enjoy Bonsai and Life.

Sandy

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1. Bonsai is global. Friends are world-wide.
2. Bonsai is beautiful. Beauty is priceless.
3. Bonsai Trees give off oxygen. People need oxygen to breathe.
4. Bonsai teaches us. Knowledge is important.
5. Bonsai is art. Art is enlightening.
6. Bonsai is living art. It keeps on giving.
7. Bonsai attracts people. Being social is healthy.
8. Bonsai is nature. Nature is good.
9. Bonsai provides an outlet. People need outlets.
10. Bonsai is creative yet structured. Good for right and left sides of the brain.

If you want to add reasons to the list, go to Orlando Bonsai’s FaceBook page and add more.

Enjoy Bonsai!

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Winter is almost over!  There was almost no winter here in Florida so our trees haven’t had much rest.  Even the citrus is confused, but bonsai enthusiasts, tourists and snowbirds are loving it. Yaay! Come on down (or up or over or whichever direction is appropriate) because Walt Disney World’s 20th annual Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, presented by HGTV, runs for 75 days from March 6–May 19, 2013. And members of the Central Florida Bonsai Club, are once again at the Festival Center, the Wonders of Life building (the one with the golden dome near the Test Track), displaying bonsai and answering the guests’ questions about bonsai.  I will be there on March 9 and several other times throughout the Festival. Check out Orlando Bonsai’s Facebook page frequently for upcoming pix that I will take this year. At Epcot, where people visit from around the world, it is easy to feel a connection with everyone through the shared love of plants and bonsai.

Last month, I had the privilege to attend a Deciduous tree workshop at D & L Nursery near Ocala where Owen Reich shared information and demonstrated skills learned as an apprentice at Fujikawa kouka-en in Osaka, Japan.  Owen stressed that it takes time to create the “perfect” tree.  He talked about how important it is to look for a good trunk as it is the hardest thing to change on a bonsai. Owen also encouraged us to make large cuts on trees over time so they will heal faster and not stress the tree.  Making a lot of major cuts on the tree in the same year is not good for the health of the tree.  He said you will have a better looking tree in the long run by using this method. The goal is to not even know that the branch was cut.  He also talked about wiring the roots which happens all the time in Japan but not so much in America. He demonstrated wiring branches using a ‘rhythmic wrap’ while introducing movement – up, down, left and right. There were many little tips and tricks that Owen shared along the way as he demonstrated using each participant’s trees.  I really encourage you to attend any event where Owen is teaching; he has a ‘laid back’ style and shares a lot of information as he goes. He plans to go back to Japan in a few years to continue his studies.

In February I went for a walk in nearby Fleet People’s park where old live oaks abound and dogs too. It’s a dog park so if you visit, be prepared for them to be running free. They are very social and love their park. It’s a fenced-in lakeside park and has a war memorial walk nearby and connects to a walking/bike path that goes for miles. If you want to see the pictures of the most amazing movement in the branches of these old oaks, look for the pictures on our Facebook page. I promise it will be worth clicking on the link! These pictures are my reminders as I try to emulate their aged look into my bonsai trees as I am wiring branches.

As you are looking for your spring bonsai supplies, if there is something you are looking for and don’t see it in Orlando Bonsai’s store, let us know as it is likely we can find it at one of our suppliers if we really don’t have it.  We always have trees and supplies that aren’t displayed on the site yet. As always, we welcome your feedback.

Speaking of Spring, remember to spring forward 1 hour as Daylight Saving Time starts in the USA & Canada this Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 2:00 am.

Enjoy bonsai!

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