AS PART of the 36th MMSU Foundation Anniversary celebration, a lecture-cum-demonstration on bonsai making was conducted by Prof. Amy Liang, president of the Asia-Pacific Bonsai Friendship Federation and a world-renown bonsai expert. This was held at the MMSU Training Center, Jan. 7.

Coming from the word “bon” which means “tray or low-sided pot” and “sai” which means “planting or plantings”, “bonsai” is a Japanese art made from using miniature trees grown in containers. It essentially allows contemplation for the viewer and pleasant exercise of effort and ingenuity for the grower.

The practice of bonsai-making is not intended for producing food or medicine, or for creating yard-size or park-size gardens or landscapes; instead, it focuses on long-term cultivation and shaping of one or more small trees growing in a container.

Prof. Liang compared bonsai making to “a dance”. “The different branches of the tree should go into the rhythm to make it attractive and valuable. The branches and leaves should go where the sunshine comes in”, she said. “It takes 5-10 years to have a beautiful bonsai hence, bonsai making requires a lot of patience,” she added.

She related that the choice of a tree material is an important consideration in bonsai making as the plant has a “face” (the side where the viewers can see its beauty) and a “head” (the upright position of the plant). She stressed that its roots should be strong while its leaves should be small.

The pot, she said, is also a major consideration. “One should imagine 10-20 years after making the bonsai. By the time the plant cascades, it would need a taller pot,” she said.

She further emphasized that the molding wire on the branches of the plant should not be too tight and that the size of the wire must match the size of the branch.

Prof. Liang’s demonstration was attended by Governor Imee Marcos, the Ilocos Norte Bonsai Society, and MMSU personnel and students. She earlier led in the opening of the Bonsai School at MMSU and served as guest of honor and speaker during the Convocation and Awarding Ceremonies on the occasion of the university’s 36th  foundation anniversary celebration.