Highly Praised Products or Services , Fukubonsai

[mella l]

Today I received my second shipment of Fukubonsai. A Hawaiian Dragon, A Sumo and a Root bonsai.

Two weeks ago I ordered three bonsai for gifts, fortunately two of these beautiful specimens were used in a memorial service for a friend. This of course was unexpected and left me two bonsai short of the plans I had. So again last week I placed a second order for three bonsai to fulfill my original gifting plans!

www.fukubonsai.com is an extraordinary place. All are invited Monday thru Saturday to visit their Cultural Center and State Repository, Olaa Road between 9 and 10 mile marker, phone 808-982-9880.

If the Bonsai at the nursery aren't enough to hold your attention then the Micro-shrimp will guaranteed! LOL you can tell I'm absolutely spell bound about this part of paradise. I bookmarked the site 2 years ago having seen and read about Fukubonsai at Uncle Billie's my first visit to the BI. Thinking when we relocated permanently I'd visit in person find my special bonsai and take it home to study, love and care for.

Serendipity intervened on my last visit! After meeting a friend to pick up more Punatic stickers, I was invited to the Bonsai Repository and Cultural Center in Kurtistown!

My first shipment was so professionally cared for, lovingly trained, and packaged. It was hard to let go of these specimens when the time came! So my second order arrived today. I believe due to the 10 day heat wave in California today's package was not only as professionally packaged as the previous one, but someone at Fukubonsai is paying attention to detail and is up to speed on current affairs and put aluminum covered bubble wrap around the plants packaging to protect them additionally from the effects of the heat wave!

One gift went to an older friend whose granddaughter will receive this bonsai someday. The bonsai is the same age as the granddaughter!

Oh we bought our bonsai thru E-Bay where we bought three at a time and therefore shipping was free. www.ebay.com /fuku bonsai
Perhaps others would like to use this thread to recommend products or services they admire!

Sorry for jumping around here but you all know how excited I can get! Down girl!!

Take care all and aloha, Mella



mella l

[Lucy]

I think too why Mella is so excited is the owner is a really neat person, very thoughtful and kind. He really knows his plants! Also take a look at the Micro lobsters for your home tank. If I lived on the island I would have some for a conversation piece.

Mella, sorry to hear about losing another friend.
Glad that you are getting a bunch of bonsai, but how will you get them back to the islands?
There are an exhibit of Bonzai here every year. It is so creative what they can do. I did have a very tiny leaved blooming begonia, but I lost it last month. Will have to get another one. It was so interesting to see it bloom.

ALoha,
Lucy

Having another Great day in Paradise, Wherever that Maybe!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheLanai

[mella l]

Hi Lucy,

You are correct, I will not be able to get the Bonsai back into Hawaii, they are all gifts and now out of 6 I only have one left. Who shall receive it when we relocate will be divulged on the wind one day! I will choose my own special Bonsai one day when I'm a resident, one to study, cherish and care for.

I also would love a tank of the micro lobster in my kitchen to keep me company LOL! They really are darling creatures and live long lives too, are only fed once a week I believe, and are social in their own little colony.

Another great spot for locals to shop is the Volcano Arts Center in Volcano. Fabulous gardens scattered with all types of art and artifacts, you are free to tour this lovely garden! Lovely gift shop with all price ranges included. A retreat for artists to consult, dream, and create, just lovely!

Oh the Volcano Garden Art Center holds classes too and you photographers out their might enjoy some of these classes too!! Check it out.

http://www.volcanogardenarts.com/

Enjoy, Mella



mella l

Edited by - mella l on 08/02/2006 09:53:40

[punafish]

Mella,

I've always been a big fan of Japanese gardens in general and bonsai specifically. Tried my hand at caring for an unlucky bonsai years ago and failed miserably. The poor thing died within a week I'm convinced that the only thing I did right was give it a proper burial. Haven't had the nerve to try it again. Would love to hear your suggestions on the proper care and feeding for bonsai...then maybe I'll work up the courage to adopt another one someday

Aloha

Tim

[KeithLee]

Hi Tim,
If you go to www.fukubonsai.com you will see that David has hundreds of pages and articles on Bonsai.
His bonsai is somewhat stupid proof if you follow basic instructions.
Drop by the Fuku Bonsai nursery one day. I would be happy to introduce you to David.
I haven't been paying attention to the forum much lately. Looks like people have been talking to me and I haven't been responding. Guess I better get on that

Worthless Movie Quote:
"I'll be takin' these Huggies, and, uh, whatever cash you got." - Raising Arizona

[mella l]

Aloha Tony long time no see!

Tim I'm a beginner and only have one to care take of for a temporary period.

Upon receipt I started by purchasing a 1 gallon jug of distilled water (to prevent mineral buildup from hard water) and I added 7 drops of Schultz liquid plant food. This then becomes the enriched water for your Bonsai, the only water it will need.

Thus far each Saturday morning I place my plant in a pot with about 3 inches of enriched water and let it soak for 30 minutes (re-bottle left over water is fine). During the week about every other day I put a little water maybe 1/8 to 1/4 cup on my Bonsai, you don't want it to ever dry out completely as the roots are vulnerable I think.

We have had too much heat here the past week and the air conditioning has been going quite a bit. In winter I don't think the bonsai will need as much water. My plant sits in a saucer with aquarium gravel in the bottom. The gravel collects any water run off and provides the Bonsai with some humidity. The saucer isn't full of water as the plant would not be able to breath, the gravel is just moist. It also looks nice.

My Bonsai is between 3 and 5 years old, has loads of character, is a Schefflera so does well indoors year round. It receives about 3 hours of indirect morning sun. Every few days I rotate the plant about 1/4 turn so the story growth stays even.

That is about all I know for now. When it comes time for trimming and shaping I think I'd like a few professional lessons, or go to a Bonsai Barber shop! LOL

Tony is correct the website for FukuBonsai is very thorough and interesting! Good luck on your next try Tim!

mella l

Edited by - mella l on 08/03/2006 17:51:45

[punafish]

Thanks to Tony for the link and to Mella for the tips. Now that I know it's "stupid proof", the pressure is on not to screw it up anyway. Haven't yet had a chance to peruse the link cuz Ive been working against a deadline that, thankfully, ended this morning. I'll check it out this weekend.

Enriched water? Liquid plant food? 30-minute soakings on Saturday? Gravel for run-off and humidity? I aspire to be such a well-versed "beginner"! It sounds like you're a good mom to your bonsais. After seeing the detail and precision in your procedure, it makes perfect sense why mine didn't survive. I was doing it by "feel", giving inconsistent amounts of normal tap water on a daily basis (when I didn't forget). Pretty sure I didn't dry the little fella out. I'm wondering if you can give them too much water?

I'll let you know when we decide to adopt our next bonsai.

Aloha

Tim

[KeithLee]

Yep too much water is possible that is why you soak the rock for the recommended time then remove water from tray. I killed on cause the roots rotted in water left in tray.
Perhaps I should've stated they are relatively stupid proof.
They do require consistant and correct care. Beyond that they are pretty hardy.
My favorite bonsai is the Large size lava planting. I brought one of them home for a short while and wow did it change the atmosphere of the living room.
The small ones make great gifts but if you wanna really wow someone give them one of the 9 year old ones. Or wow people that visit with it.
I gave the one I picked up to my former bosses wife for their office. Very impressive. Blah blah blah.

Worthless Movie Quote:
"I'll be takin' these Huggies, and, uh, whatever cash you got." - Raising Arizona

[mella l]

Has anyone tried the micro shrimp yet? Just curious how they worked out as I will be needing another gift in the next month to send to New Orleans. Mahalo

mella l

[Hazen]

I too can recommend David and Fuku Bonsai. Please think of them next time you need a gift that supports our local economy.

Mella you ever going to borrow that Native Plants Book?