Bruce Wensor spoke first explaining he is the Secretary of the Waverley Bonsai group with a membership of 101 members. Bruce explained the origins of Bonsai beginning in China thousands of years ago. The practice of Bonsai being developed to enable people to take their favourite trees with them when they moved. The meaning of the name comes from Bon translates as shallow tray. Sai translates to living plant. Bonsai were first introduced to Australia after the 2nd world war with service men bringing them back from Asia.
There will be a display of Bonsai at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden show.
Bruce Argaet presented his collection of Bonsai next. Bruce has won 5 prizes at the garden show, including 3 gold medals for his oriental bonsai display also collecting the peoples award.
Bruce discussed the care and maintenance of growing bonsai. Trees should be trimmed regularly to allow air to flow through and to pinch out new growth. Trees are grown outside, but covered in extreme heat. Ensure drainage is good to avoid roots rotting and trees are wired into pots to avoid falling out. Bonsai need to be fertilized and wartered regularly with a liquid fertilizer.
When Bruce goes away he buries his bonsai in raised garden beds to keep roots cool and prevent plants from drying out.
Bruce's collection of bonsai included plants such as Japanese Maple, Jade, Ornamental grape vine, Azalea, Manchurian Pear, Ivy, Camelia, Juniper, Jacaranda, Weeping willow and a Malalucca grown in a shell.
