My first attempt at creating a Bonsai

This week I started reading “The Bonsai Handbook” by David Prescott. The book gives a

historical background of the origin of bonsais and a how to create, collect, and maintain your bonsai.
One thing the writer stresses is not being afraid of having a tree die since it eventually happens to everyone attempting this art (and growing bonsais is an ancient art in the Orient). With this in mind, I decided to work on my first bonsai.
We were given a beautiful ceramic pot as a Christmas present that looks perfect for a bonsai tree. I then purchased a Dwarf Juniper at Home Depot and floral wire from Michaels to guide the branches.

Dwarf Juniper before pruning

Any tree can be turned into a bonsai; this is the best part of this art, that every tree is different and the finished product is all up to person who is doing it. There is no right or wrong way to bonsai and this is what makes this gardening art so interesting.

Field Trip to our rural community of the Redlands

My family and I had a fabulous day today in an area of Miami called the Redlands, known in the past as the "Winter Breadbasket of the U.S." Before NAFTA, this was where most of America's winter vegetables were grown. Today it continues to be a rural area and has transformed itself into the nursery capital of North America.

We started the morning visiting Knauss Berry Farm, a U-pic-em vegetable and fruit farm run by a Mennonite Community. Knauss also has a bakery that sells the best and gooeist cinnamon rolls in the South, as well as wonderful breads and pies.



The second stop was The Bonsai Garden, the place where my daughters purchased my Christmas bonsai tree. This was my first visit to this place and I was amazed at the number bonsais they have for sale. I am thinking of taking classes from their Bonsai experts.








Our third and last stop was The Schnebly Winery (Did you know that Miami had a winery?). We did some wine tasting and purchased some bottles of wines. The wine this winery produces is made from tropical fruits like Mango, Lychee, Guava, Passion Fruit, and Star Fruit. The wines are delicious, more along the lines of dessert wines--a little sweet and not too dry.

The day was very enjoyable with the family; the weather was perfect and we had a great time.
I hope you all have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

PS – I could not take many pictures the camera battery ran out on me