Bonsai Tree Demonstration Draws People
The Kawa Bonsai Society did small trees in a big way during the 10th annual Joy of Bonsai event at the Flagler Extension Office, drawing people from all over Florida — and the U.S. Before a demonstration Friday by Suthin Sukosolvisit, who owns Royal Bonsai Garden in Stoughton, Mass., and self-described newbie Preston Smith pondered the 10-year-old Chinese sweet plum tree that was going to be the subject of the demonstration.
The plum tree, which was less than a foot tall, was a puzzler for Smith. Smith got his answer a few minutes later as Sukosolvisit sat down to talk with him before the demonstration. He listened to Smith’s question, turned to the tree, picked it up and tilted it at an about a 30-degree angle. The crowd got the same answer a few minutes into the demonstration after Sukosolvisit was introduced by event chairwoman Louise Leister as “one of the best bonsai artists in the country and by far the best shohin (the smallest category, generally under 9 inches) artist.”
Sukosolvisit is also the only guest artist to appear twice at the Joy of Bonsai. Sukosolvisit started the demonstration with a bit of advice about the plum. Then he removed the tree from its pot and asked the crowd to look only at the trunk and visible roots as he turned the tree around. After determining the best side, he invited scrutiny of the top of the tree and then turned one top into a branch by tilting the tree. From there, he started cutting away long and extraneous branches much like a sculptor would remove stone from a marble block, commenting on the process as he did so. Finally he bent branches and wired them to create a flow.
The finished product was auctioned off Saturday night. Saturday and Sunday were filled with demonstrations and workshops by Mike Rogers, club president and owner of Mike Rogers Bonsai in DeLand; Mike Carterett of Palm Beach Bonsai; Robb Addonizia from Taiko-Earth in Lake Helen; and Sukosolvisit. Ten people got to attend a Saturday workshop led by Sukosolvisit, where each worked on a Chinese sweet plum to take home. On Sunday, Sukosolvisit conducted another workshop for 10 people called “Bring Your Own Tree.”
A particular highlight of the Joy of Bonsai is the judged show that attracts entries in three size classes: shohin, medium and large, which can include 3-foot tall trees. Sukosolvisit served as judge and after his demonstration, walked through the show critiquing the entries. Although Joy of Bonsai attracts serious bonsai enthusiasts to its workshops and demonstrations, the reception Friday night was open to those who might be interested in bonsai, with its selection of vendors and club members willing to discuss the hobby. Mark Rhyne, of Wood Design by Mark, came from Cape Coral to sell his wood bonsai containers and platforms.
Read more information about bonsai starter trees care at bonsaitreegardener.net.
Processing your request, Please wait....
