Page 31 - BSAM 2015 Q1

The Wonderboom Style ASouthAfrican
TBy Tobie Kleynhans, South Africa
he early bonsai pioneers in South Africa taught their students to style their bonsai according to “classical” Japanese methods. Their teachings laid a solid foundation in mastering the horticultural and artistic skills needed to keep and care for bonsai successfully. This was a good
reference point, but most of the trees ended up looking like rather poor imitations of a typical pine tree.
The climatic conditions of Southern Africa vary from zone 7 to 8 at the coast and from zone 5 to 10 inland, from subtropical to harsh
semi-desert and desert conditions. That and the growth habits of many of our indigenous species influenced a number of growers to style their trees in a more naturalistic manner. More and more bonsai enthusiasts are now moving away from the classical Japanese style to a more impressionistic or naturalistic style.
One of these intriguing impressionistic plantings is the Wonder- boom style.
The Wonderboom style is based on the growth pattern of a thousand year old Ficus salicifolia growing in the foothills of the
Inspiration
Below; Ficus natalensis, Wonderboom style, 2014
April/May/June 2015 | BCI | 29