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I have been doing bonsai for more than 25 years and my hobby has now become my occupation and passion.  I am a member of a number of clubs and have served on the executive of most of them.  Bonsai have given me so much pleasure that I have spent many hours experimenting in feeds, growing methods, new potential material, designing using digital cameras and computers, teaching, holding workshops and putting on shows or displays.  

I have my own bonsai school and hold regular  courses and workshops.  I have done numerous demonstrations and workshops at clubs, regional and national level.   I have given many talks on bonsai to gardening clubs, rotary clubs, nurseries, educational institutes and to the nation on radio.  I have had the opportunity to visit numerous bonsai growers in England, Germany, Belgium and China.  My recent visit to China however has been the highlight of my bonsai career.

Until 1973 my interest lay in Ikebana, then I was lent a bonsai book titled “The Kapanese Art of Miniature Trees and Landscapes” by Yuji Yoshimura and Giovanna M. Halford. That was the beginning of a lasting love affair with the art of bonsai.  

In those early days, I spent a lot of time with Arsene Bultink at his bonsai nursery in Valhalla, Pretoria. Ten years later, after attending a week long workshop at a nearby nursery, organised by the Pretoria Bonsai Kai, I joined EBS.

In 1990 we moved to Kwazulu Natal, with three trailer loads of potensai bonsai trees.  Passion and business came together and I started a bonsai nursery in Assagay.

I lost no time in joining the Durban Bonsai Society.  In 1993, a hands-on orientated club, Kengai Bonsai Kai, was formed by myself and a few other interested members.  I have served on the committees of several clubs and still chair Kengai, Dolphin Coast and the Kwazulu Natal Bonsai Association.

My mission is to educate the public about bonsai and encourage them to create them. I wasted ten years by not joining a club and gained so much after becoming a member of EBS.

I started bonsai in 1985 when I bought a copy of Dough Hall’s book.  My wife happened to mention that I was keen on bonsai to a fellow teacher.  This lady’s husband was a member of EBS and he invited me to go along to a meeting. This is when I realised that you cannot learn the art from books.  The pictures are nice and the text, although explanatory, is not the same as interaction with people who practise the art.  These folk are a pleasant and helpful bunch, who are only too keen to assist as well as taking an interest in one’s progress.

I have made a lot of new and good friends in the bobnsai community from which I will be ever grateful.

I have always a bonsai of some sorts from when I can remember.  My favourite tree is definitely the Baobab and I have all eight species - all grown from seed.  I like to see myself as a bonsai appreciator more than a bonsai artist.  I am humbled by the talent of all the bonsai masters I have met and have been privileged to observe.

I get immense satisfaction from growing trees from seed and you will often find one of my family members up a tree for that one and only seed pod that is a must-have.

I have 3 boys and they have all inherited my passion for growing trees and hopefully their children will enjoy the benefit of my baobab collection.

My love for gardening lead to my interest in the fascinating art of bonsai.  This happened in 1988 when we moved to Meerensee, Richard’s Bay. I started with about 7 nursery specimens and a few books.  My hobby has now become my occupation and my business is called Bonsai Creations - Rent a Bonsai.

I was a founder member of Zululand Bonsai Society and also served as chairperson for a number of years.  A break-away club, Fish Eagle Bonsai Kai was founded in 2007 and I am now the chairperson of this club.  I am a member of three clubs in KZN.

I have given talks on bonsai to gardening clubs, the Women’s Institute, senior citizens and a few clubs.  Growing bonsai is an all-consuming hobby and I am totally committed and passionate about bonsai.

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