I'm writing this post ahead of time because I'm so wrapped up in completing our Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand-Bangladesh Trip photo book. I know I won't be able to lift my head from the tour album project now that it's my turn to do the finishing touches.
We went to our Bonsai class on May 24th and was surprised to see the growth our first bonsai made.
This is what our Chinese Elm looked like after we'd trimmed and wired it on April 26th. It was pretty pathetic looking.
This is what it looked like on May 24th, after a month. It needs another trim.
Here's our Fukien Tea tree on May 10th.
And here's our Fukien Tea tree on May 24th after about two weeks. OK, maybe not a whole lot of growth, but I was surprised anyway.
Mom is voicing her concern.
"Your trees require a lot of care. How do you plan to do that when you're away on your trips?"
We smiled at her.
"Ohhh..." she said. "Did you know my mother was an expert in bonsai?"
"You'll be a great bonsai plant sitter," we told her.
She rolled her eyes and sighed.
We went to our Bonsai class on May 24th and was surprised to see the growth our first bonsai made.
This is what our Chinese Elm looked like after we'd trimmed and wired it on April 26th. It was pretty pathetic looking.
This is what it looked like on May 24th, after a month. It needs another trim.
Here's our Fukien Tea tree on May 10th.
And here's our Fukien Tea tree on May 24th after about two weeks. OK, maybe not a whole lot of growth, but I was surprised anyway.
Mom is voicing her concern.
"Your trees require a lot of care. How do you plan to do that when you're away on your trips?"
We smiled at her.
"Ohhh..." she said. "Did you know my mother was an expert in bonsai?"
"You'll be a great bonsai plant sitter," we told her.
You could casually mention that maybe you will replace the bonsai with a couple of puppies. That should get her thinking that babysitting plants may not be such a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteI think the amount of growth is rather amazing. And this tells me that they do indeed require a plant sitter. Good you have one! :-)
ReplyDeleteWow Kay that's an AMAZING transformation in the Chinese Elm. Doesn't even look like the same plant at all. You must have a natural green thumb :)
ReplyDeleteshe will love looking after these beauties!
ReplyDeleteyour mom is always thinking ahead...lol!
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed an amazing transformation, Kay!! I love it!!
ReplyDeleteThey are going to be great. I do like the basic shapes, now the trees have to adapt to the wiiring.
ReplyDeleteI gave up and had Snapfish print my album. I did all the arranging myself, and it was a great strain until I figured out how to work their program. To keep the cost down, I had to vigorously trim the number of pictures. But I finally got it done.
What fun to see the progress of your tiny trees!
ReplyDeleteLove to see the growth of your plants..I think within a year it will be a pleasure to watch..
ReplyDeleteI adore bonsai, and am glad to learn more about it by watching the progress of your projects. There is a bonsai group in Kamuela that I would love to join... Maybe some day!
ReplyDeleteDo you leave the bonsai trees at your bonsai class? Somehow I seem to get that idea reading your post here.
ReplyDeleteWe left the trees at our teacher's home for the duration of the class. We've now brought them home and have to take care of them ourselves. I feel like a new mother with a needy baby.
DeleteOh so you have completed your bonsai classes and now are on your own taking care of your new baby. All the best!
DeleteI am sure since both of you are so caring and diligent in taking care of your bonsai trees, they will mature into beautiful shapes
Deletelolol....
ReplyDeleteI just hope the little trees aren't "hurting" from their restraining wires. I'm too sensitive...DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping the trees will say the resulting beauty was worth the little guidance pain from the wires.
DeleteWell, I'm also amazed at how much growth took place. I thought that with severe pruning the foliage would be small.
ReplyDeleteMy mom got a couple of plants recently and I asked her when's the last time she watered them. She said she didn't remember. Two of them have many dying leaves. Now I'm taking care of it.
ReplyDeleteOH, I love your Mom! Of course, she will take good care of your bonsai trees!
ReplyDeleteThe Monastery here in Conyers, Georgia has monks who care tenderly for bonsai trees and they are quite well known for them. I wonder how they feel when someone buys them and then, they are NOT cared for properly and the bonsai trees die? I hope the monks never find out about the death of their trees!
This is such a wonderful project. We retirees need to keep learning new things!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful little plants. I just retired from teaching this year and have considered learning bonsai. I am glad I discovered your blog just as I am starting mine.
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie! It's so very nice to meet you. My blog family is brimming happily with lots and lots of teachers, both retired and still enjoying children. If you look at my sidebar, you'll find many of them there. You broke your finger the day before you retired? Good gosh! I sure hope it's healing without too much pain. I'll be visiting you as soon as my life calms down.
DeleteA fascinating hobby, I can see. But a challenge for travelers. You have a generous mother!
ReplyDeleteYour tropical bonsai trees are fast growing and need more trimming. Here they get trimmed a couple of times a year, once for the evergreens. Ours are hooked up to a drip system so they can take care of themselves when we are away.
ReplyDeleteI love the little flowers on your trees.
Our bonsai teacher did warn us that unlike the mainland, the bonsai here has two big growing seasons and the plants do need constant care. It's seriously like owning a pet. I have no idea how Art will keep up with it since he has difficulty keeping up with what we have, even with mom doing most of the work.
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