[JapMap]

I used to go to the annual Chelsea Flower Show and the specialist bonsai tree shows back in the UK and marvel at the loving care and skill that goes into creating a bonsai tree.
Luckily we had a local independent bonsai retailer who was always helpful and before long I had dozens of bonsai growing at home. I even had a special wooden staging built for displaying my trees.
I also had a chance to visit Japan on business and my generous hosts, hearing that I grw bonsai trees were so pleased that I appreciated part of their culture and heritage that they took me on a special trip to a village where it seemed liek everyone trained bonsais!
I'll try and find some of my pictures and post them at a later date. 
One of my favorite 'pastimes' was visiting a local plantsman at his nursery. He used to dig all sorts of trees and plants into the ground wherever he could find a space! It was like a big treasure hunt to roam over the nursery and see what you can find! 
Often I'd come out with a $5.00 tree that had grown on for a few years in the ground and developed a nice branching pattern.
How did your interest in bonsai get started??
regards
 Ken 
http://japanese-maple.com

[Koiboy01]

Hi Ken,
My interest in bonsai started funnily enough with Japanese koi, I started to keep Japanese koi and to keep them properly you have to filter the water, so to hide my filter I decided to make a Japanese garden which I did,( you can visit here at
New Page 3 ) and from there it was just a simple step to bonsai which I now have over fifty which I have grown and trained all of them myself, and of course my Japanese garden would not be complete without Japanese maples which I have quite a few,, I keep most of them in extra large pots so that I can move them around the garden so that the view can be changed at any time.
koiboy01

[davez71]

My bonsai interest started with several failed "shopping mall" junipers. I persevered, read a little information, and gradually improved my luck. I only have a few maples seedlings (3 yrs old now) that have been donated by friends, and a juniper success (5 yrs old now). They are nothing too spectacular, buyt maybe someday I'll have the time and skill to create some fabulous pieces.

George, I am amazed at your garden, and I applaud your efforts to create such a wonderful use of space. Your place is beautiful, I hope you spend some time relaxing in there, and don't wear yourself out maintaining it...

[Koiboy01]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for your kind comments about my Japanese garden and
no, it certainly won't wear me out maintaining it, as it is a labour of love and very enjoyable and when I am shaping and prunning my trees and shrubs also nothing could be more relaxing than raking the chippings or feeding the koi which come and take food from your hand.
George.