Hello again. I did another demonstration yesterday continuing the momentum we started last weekend. Here's a quick re-cap of our session:

I revisited our Bald Cyprus (Taxodium Desticum) that we had begun trimming. After the session, I spent a little more time styling our formal upright so I reviewed what I had done. There were a number of possibilities for future steps as our potensai (potential bonsai) develops and we briefly discussed them.

I also introduced a new variety called Juniperous Parsonii. Looking at numerous plants, I discussed the differences in growth patterns and how each might be worked. I decided on developing one plant with a particularly nice sweeping motion into an informal upright. We walked through some initial trimming and discussed its branch structure and how it related to the informal upright style we were developing it into. We also touched on wire needs such as the differences between copper and aluminum wiring as well as choosing an appropriate bonsai pot for our new plant.

Next week we have an exciting treat! I was invite to do a demonstration at the Mossy Creek Barnyard Festival Arts and Crafts Show in Perry, GA. If you're in the area, please come through and say hi! We don't have the exact time of our demonstration yet, but we will be broadcasting it online for anyone that won't be able to come to our neck of the woods. If you'd like the demonstration time emailed to you once we know, look for "Subscribe by Email" on the right side of this page and submit your email address. For the demonstration, I'll be sharing my thoughts on the beautiful, flowering Fukien Tea (Ehretia or Carmona Microphyllia).

The videos are embedded below. Please share any thoughts or comments below or email them to me at merv@bonsaitree.com.

See you there!
Merv 

Episode #2 - Part 1

Episode #2 - Part 2

Episode #2 - Part 3

Yesterday morning, I was able to broadcast my first bonsai demo online. I elected to work on Taxodium Disticum, commonly known as Bald Cypress. I lowered the soil line, trimmed off unnecessary branches and wired the remaining branches. I'll continue to shape this new bonsai in a Formal Upright style and will review progress with it at our next meeting on Saturday morning, 9:30am Eastern.

Each variety tolerates stress better at specific times of the year. The reason this variety was selected was because within a few months winter will be here. For Taxodium, this means the sap will drop and the roots will become dormant. It just so happens that when this plant is dormant, it will allow me to transfer this plant into a ceramic bonsai pot while reducing the risk of losing the plant. Having the plant trimmed and prepared during the months while it is still growing will let it acclimate to the lost foliage a bit more easily.

You can watch the missed recording at http://bit.ly/qyjYqh (part one) and http://bit.ly/pVGzz9 (part two). I realize the quality is rough, but we will improve this as time goes on. Join me again on Saturday, October 8th at 9:30am where we can discuss how we'll move forward with this Bald Cypress and begin looking at Juniper Parsonii. Our broadcasts can be found live and recorded at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bonsai-with-merv. Hope to see you next time.

- Merv

PS: If you have any questions about the demo or other bonsai questions in general, just click "Get Bonsai Help" in the navigation menu!

Learning something new has always intrigued me. I can remember as a young boy, wanting to constantly learn something new. It took many years (as many as 40 of them) until I realized that I was only skimming the subjects that I had attempted to study and had not attempted to learn any further than I felt I needed. That was until I met Norman Nelson and his passion for Bonsai.

Wow, he was something. It took me years to really realize how much knowledge this gentleman was playing with. During my study period, that began in 1984, at his small, overstocked, incredibly-interesting nursery where he hosted many masters from around the world all thirsting for that Tropical Bonsai know-how that Norman possessed. Eventually he moved to a larger location in Coral Springs, FL. A new image or style began to really fester. This was my awakening and understanding of the many traditional styles that took on new faces with more consistent showings with different varieties of plants. Definitely a positive learning environment with Bonsai students like Norman, Jim Moody, Mary Miller, Jim Smith, Mary Madison, and so many more. A group of Floridians that where hooked on Bonsai in the Tropics.

‘So many varieties so little time.’

Norman eventually pushed me into the instruction part of this incredible hobby. I have taught in a couple of schools that lasted many years. And then at Flamingo Gardens, ‘The Art of Bonsai’ classes began in 1991. These classes were morning sessions that was restricted to 30 students. We developed a system where we introduced ‘Bonsai Buddies’, where, a new arrival had a buddy to rely on for basic information. We eventually had to add afternoon sessions on most Saturdays. I feel that it is time to reach out a lot further with Tropical Bonsai. The computer has made it possible. In the next few minutes I would like you to walk through with me as we look at pictures taken at one of our morning sessions in June of 2004.

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A website showing events and news is nice. So what about thoughts and instructions from Merv about common varieties of plants, techniques, unique interpretations all in his own favor of communication...wouldn't that be a lot better? Merv and I have spent a significant amount of time figuring out the best way to teach Bonsai to a large audience of people. We're done thinking. And we're going to get personal.

Let Merv know you want to hear from him. Leave a comment below!

More soon.