by Midge Goeth

When you saw your first bonsai tree, what was your immediate reaction? Did you see it in a magazine or newspaper article? Did you happen upon an exhibit of bonsai at a garden expo or arboretum? Maybe it was that movie, Karate Kid. That movie certainly gave a jump start to an interest in those miniature trees in a pot. Or perhaps, you were fortunate enough to have a friend, family member or neighbor with a talent for growing bonsai.

As I ponder these questions myself, I am trying to remember when and where I first became intrigued. It was probably a combination of growing up with parents that loved gardening, and acquiring the friendship of a lady from Japan. In the 1970s when I lived on the eastern shore of Maryland, I read some books about the soil, tools, pots, training, etc, but could not find the "stuff" or anyone with the knowledge to help me. So I simply put it on the back burner and forgot about it.

When I moved back to Louisville in the early 1980s, a friend gave me a small Chinese elm bonsai as a birthday gift. Along with it was a small three-fold pamphlet with some general guidelines on the care and maintenance of my tree. I was delighted, but still did not know if I could keep it alive. The tree and pamphlet were from The Bonsai Store in St. Matthews, so I went there looking for information. And the rest, as they say, is history. Because, from that contact I was told about the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society which I immediately joined, and began gaining more knowledge through the unselfish generosity of the members. Through workshops and demonstrations, as well as one on one question and answer sessions, I slowly gained enough knowledge to feed my growing interest and intrigue in this wonderful hobby called bonsai.

Of course, the Chinese Elm is no longer part of my collection. It is in bonsai heaven along with several others I gently and lovingly sent there as well. But hopefully, I learned from each one of them. But guess what? I still have the procumbens juniper I started in the workshop at the Bonsai Store under the grand tutelage of Larry Cassidy. It is not a show worthy specimen, but one I am rather emotional about. We've been together more than 20 years.

Last weekend was our spring exhibit at the Yew Dell Gardens in Crestwood and as I sat there watching and listening to folks who came to see the trees, I began writing down some of their questions. We forget what it is like to see these little wonders of nature and creativity for the first time. Young and old alike -- men and women seem to have the same look on their faces. The jaw drops a little; they stare and look as if maybe they are not seeing what they are seeing. Then after a few minutes the questions begin.

- How old do the plants have to be before you can make a bonsai?

- What color, size, or shape of pot should you use? (This came from a little girl. Great question and Gene Sewell answered it better than I could have.)

- What does it mean "years in training"? (Can you answer this one?)

- How do you keep them small?

- Does it take a lot of work?

- Does it take a lot of money to get started in bonsai?

- After a general discussion on bonsai training, a young person looked at a tree and asked: doesn't all that bending and cutting hurt?

- Do these plants get diseases and insects like REAL trees?

- Do they stay inside or outside?

- I thought bonsai was the name of a tree.

But one of my favorites was more of a comment and reaction. An older lady walked in, got about three feet inside the door. Looked right and left, then said, "Bonsai plants don't do anything for me", then turned around and left. And I'm thinking to myself that bonsai is certainly not for everyone. However, about 30 minutes later, I noticed her all the way to the back wall, looking at each plant in the room. Who knows, maybe those little trees called to her and spoke softly.

Each one of us has a story to tell regarding our interest and involvement in bonsai. We are very fortunate to have the Society here in Louisville, and the extreme dedication of our leaders who continue to bring good programs and events for the benefit of all members. I, for one, would probably still have bonsai on the back burner were it not for Greater Louisville Bonsai Society.

Thanks to you all.