Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition
First Place - Novice Class
Sport Elm Tree Bonsai Show Display
Fifteen years ago, I learned about Japanese gardens by reading a book by Southern Illinois University professor Ms. Kuch (I think that’s spelled correctly). It was written in the 1970s and covered the history of these gardens. She also noted a Chinese scholar named Po Chu (That’s close to the correct spelling of his name). Unlike his peers, he was a revolutionary because he stayed in the city and built a small garden that incorporated the view of the mountains in the distance. His peers moved to the mountains and lived out of the city.
The Japanese liked this concept. They have Sukiya gardens, which are the same as Po Chu’s. The art form is cool! It appears to be mimicked in Bonsai displays. In bonsai, I suspect display trees, accent plants, and whatever design elements are added are intended to tell a story or be a “painting” of place. This is what I tried to represent with my bonsai. The Sport Elm with the stands, the succulent, and the scroll represents water flowing down from an elevation above.
The Back Story
This Sport Elm was obtained from Pauline Muth in NY by auction. I love elms and couldn’t resist it. A teacher Ivan Watters suggested removing a strong branch at the top of the tiny tree. I now know to allow more tree and less broom. Another person of influence was Fred Tarnow. He often displayed trees at the August Chicago. Some of his plants were “scraggly” in appearance. I was impressed that he was putting the health of the tree ahead of pursuing the traditional manicured bonsai look. So that is why the Sport Elm was scraggly.
The porcelain pot was bought in Genk, Belgium, at their impressive bonsai show. It’s a water scene pot. The tree table was borrowed from BC Bonsai. Members of the Mid-American Bonsai Society helped with setting up the stand. The accent stand came from Gail Fiatto, a friend of Pauline Muth. The scroll was a gift from Jennifer Price. All of these people and organizations contributed to the success of my water-themed landscape.
I think I will continue to enter as a novice, as it has been a great experience working and being influenced by so many generous and talented people.
Steve Fluett
