Camelia Japonica in bloom

I dug this Camelia from a house under demolation in the North of Perth in 2001. I still remember the day the demolition contractor called me. I have this agreement with him whereby I will bring a carton of beer for his workers for every site he recommended to me. He was so excited and insisted that I must come to see the site he was working on. I rushed to the site and wow ! A garden full of some fantastic trees and plants. This is one of the smallest tree I dug from this site. I was told the trees were planted when the house was build about 50 years ago. So biologically this Camelia is about 60 years old. I potted it into this Chinese pot 2 years ago. I know this tree deserves a much better pot. I am still looking for one. I may eventually have to make one myself.

Irish Strawberry / Arbutus Unedo

This Irish Strawberry bonsai was trained from an ordinary nursery stock since 2001. I find the Irish Strawberry to be a good material for bonsai. It grows fast if well fed. It has white flowers in Autumn which will turn into fruits in late Winter/early Spring. The amazing thing is the fruits stay on the tree for a long time. So very often I have both fruits and flowers on the tree at the same time in Autumn. The fruits will turn from green to yellow and then orange and finally red. The Irish Strawberry is sceptible to scales attack. A regular spray of white oil should take care of this problem.
This bonsai was recently displayed at the 24th AABC Perth 2011 Exhibition/Convention. It won a merit award judged by Megumi and Min Hsuan Lo. A good friend from Sydney likes the tree very much. So I offered it to her. She refused to take it without giving something in return. So I told her if that is the only way she will take the tree back to Sydney, then just do as she please. I packed it into a big carton box and she took it back with her on her flight back. It is now safely in a nice home with an expert loving pair of hands looking after it. Could not have asked more for one of my creation. CJ

24th AABC Perth 2011 Convention

The 24th AABC Perth 2011 Convention was held at the Fremantle Esplanade Hotel from May 20 to May 23. It was a highly successful event. The exhibits were of high standard and nicely displayed in a spacious hall. There are chairs for visitors to sit down to enjoy as well as discuss the trees. This must be a world first for bonsai exhibition. Participants from all over Australia had a wonderful time as well as learned alot from bonsai master Min Hsuan Lo, Megumi as well as local presenters. We have nothing but good feedback. All the hardworks and sacrifices by all the people involved were worth it. A job well done.