Page 7 - BSAM 2016 Q4

Our passion for Bonsai usually comes from our initial genuine interest toward it. During years of caring and growing, we are inspired by the meaning behind each bonsai. Dealing with a plant is like
dealing with any other life form: sustainable devel- opment requires treating nature with honesty and respect.
Some sources of bonsai trees with stunning natural forms are from the wild. However, when transplanting them into a bonsai environment, many of them do not survive. erefore, for better growing results, using seedlings for bonsai is a superior choice.
Bonsai artists must incorporate ne taste and in- spirations drawn from knowledge and life experience into bonsai creations that have high aesthetic value. ey must be able to take care of the trees with sin- cereness and communicate with trees with ease, and eventually reach the harmony between art and nature through observing, learning and practicing.
The inspiration
Located in the west Paci c region at the east end of Asian continent, Taiwan has a subtropical climate in the north, a tropical climate in the south, an aver- age rainfall of 2500 mm per year and 268 mountains above 3000 meters. Juniperus squamata (Juniperus squamata var. morrisonicola) is a species native to Tai- wan that grows in cold climate at high altitude over 3000 meters. anks to its strong character, Juniperus
squamata survives the harsh environment and devel- ops its natural form according to the environment and geographic condition: some tower into the sky (over 35 meters) while others grow like brushes (no taller than 50 cm). Today, there are approximately 4500 ex- isting Juniperus squamata, some of which are several hundred years old and some even over one thousand years old. Taiwan is pounded by typhoons more than four times each year on average. Rooted in the poor rocky soil, each Juniperus squamata undergoes the brutal destructive power of weather and nature which scars and contorts them with the marks of time. Car- rying the sense and philosophy of history, Juniperus squamata is representative of wildness of life, solemn- ness, survival and incredible forms, and meaning of life that is way beyond our imagination.
Today, there are approximately 4500 existing Juniperus squamata in Taiwan, many of which are several hundred years old and some even over one thousand years old.
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