A bonsai looks like a small work of art: delicate, elegant, and seemingly ageless. But for those trying this unique plant form for the first time, the question may arise: Isn’t a bonsai extremely ...

In the wild, ponderosa pine trees tower higher than 250 feet. White pine trees grow to 75 feet and black pines can reach 100 feet. Yet, Dr. Mike Andrews’ prized pine trees top out at a few feet.

As gardeners, so often our dream is to grow bigger plants faster. How many times have we stood over balky transplants and threatened, “Just grow, dammit!” The ancient art of bonsai is all about growth ...

As a longtime member of the Santa Barbara Bonsai Club, Witham had a vested interest in promoting the bonsai cause. The club hosts meetings and workshops at Bethany Congregational Church and has about ...

For those who practice this botanical pastime, bonsai is “a living art form.” A lot of work goes into crafting a miniature tree in a gravel-filled shallow dish. Fertilize, but hold the nitrogen. Water ...

A honeybee stops for a sip from the juicy fruit on the fig tree in Cindy Read’s El Cajon nursery. The moment might seem ordinary except for the amazing fact that the tree is only 6 inches tall. All of ...

Alameda’s Jonas Dupuich is a giant in the world of bonsai — he teaches and lectures and runs the popular Bonsai Tonight blog, and his book, “The Little Book of Bonsai,” was published last year by Ten ...

That same misunderstanding also explains why bonsai are often seen as overpriced. When you assume you’re buying a decorative ...