A Guide to Growing (And Maintaining) Your Own Bonsai Tree

Learn the ancient Japanese art of the magnificent bonsai

On Saturday, 26 August 2017 Bishopsford Bonsai Nursery is hosting another of their informative courses on how to grow your own bonsai tree. The course starts promptly at 9.30am, although it is advised to arrive earlier at their Constantia location so you have time to buy the little things you need from the nursery for the workshop.

Japanese art
The bonsai tree is a marvel of nature; small, yet perfectly functioning and exceptionally charming to look at. As with any fine art, it takes considerable  skill and knowledge (and flair!)  to get the bonsai just right. Bishopsford Bonsai are experts in this field and want to teach you all the tips and tricks for  cultivating and nurturing  the perfect little bonsai tree.

The course will mainly cover how to craft  a bonsai from scratch. The instructors will discuss soil types, starter trees, types of wiring, and will also give you some insider secrets on how to keep your bonsai as healthy as can be. These little trees can literally last a lifetime (and longer!). In fact, the oldest documented bonsai tree is over 800 years old! The course will then go into all of the horticultural, technical and artistic aspects of the bonsai tree, from flowering plants, to the size of the pot... and everything in between.

And the best part? You don’t need to have green fingers to take this course. It is suitable for people with no experience, as well as people with some understanding of the bonsai growing process. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and quiz the instructors on all the things they know as to best get you started on your bonsai growing journey. This course will provide the foundational knowledge you need to give you the confidence to grow as many as you want. Wedding season is coming up, and a personalised bonsai tree will take your wedding gift giving game to a whole new level!

Cultivate and care
The price of the course includes expert guidance, soil, gravel and mash (all of which you will need to get started with your bonsai). Each guest, however, will need to bring tools, trimming scissors, wire cutters, secateurs, starter trees and pots. The nursery on site is fully equipped with the things you will need, and they cater to all price points (starter trees can cost as little as R25).

BOOKINGS FOR THE 2017 BONSAI CREATING COURSE AT BISHOPSFORD BONSAI

The cost of this course is R290p/p and it runs from 9:30am to 12:30pm. If you’d like to take part, please download the registration form from their Facebook event page (‘Create your own Bonsai’ course), deposit the money in the account listed on the form and send it all back to the nursery directly. You can do so via email (bford@cybersmart.co.za) or post it to the address listed.

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