Branching Out

A chance conversation in the LRC with one of our Year 12 students, Patrick, has unveiled a keen bonsai enthusiast.

For the past 18 months Patrick has been purchasing a variety of bonsai trees, and has now joined his local society, The Yarra Valley Bonsai Society.

Patrick often discussed his love for trees with his father. One day, as his father returned home from work, he made a special stop at a local nursery they frequently passed. There, he bought Patrick his first tree - a Cotoneaster, known for its simplicity known for its simplicity and often recommended for easing beginners into the art of bonsai.

Fast forward 18 months, and Patrick now has 6 trees which he keeps on his workstation table in the backyard.  He has 3 Japanese Maples, 1 Chinese Elm, 1 Japanese Grey Bark Elm and 1 Fig tree.

Patrick’s favourite plant by far, is the Japanese Grey Bark Elm. It is the tree pictured on the left in the photo.

When asked if Bonsais are easy to maintain Patrick assures us that they are not. In his words, “they aren’t something that you can just water every now and again and expect them to grow on their own, into what you want.” However, his prized Japanese Grey Bark Elm, which was bought at the Victorian Bonsai Exhibition last year, continues to flourish.   He has had great success in upkeeping this tree since that time and would love to see what he could do with it in the future. 

While Patrick is still learning the nuances of caring for his plants, he acknowledges that he is still a beginner in the world of bonsai. Keeping Bonsai’s is a lifelong hobby. Patrick says he is grateful that he started collecting Bonsais at an early age because he believes he will be able to see them grow out to be amazing plants throughout his lifetime.

Patrick mentioned gaining motivation to begin and then continue, has not always been easy, particularly after losing his first tree. Fortunately, he has found a great Bonsai Society where he has met some amazing and very helpful people.

Patrick, Year 12 and Ms Beavis, LRC.