Let us adorn our Bonsai

by   Vijaya Chamundeswari

  We spend hours adoring Bonsai now let us see how we can adorn them. This being the topic for this month – Kusamono or Shitakusa - what better place can we think of other than our favourite ‘candy shop’ SORREL. Distance, weather, traffic, nothing stopped us from stepping into this green haven. There is something special and wonderful happening when plants are doctored and nursed by none other than doctors themselves. Our very own president is Dr Yogesh and SORREL is run by Dr Gokul.

Let us see what we had gathered from our meeting this time with our senior experienced masters - Dr Yogesh, George and Molly. 

Dr Yogesh, George, Molly Cherian and Mr Rajgopal sharing notes

    Dr Yogesh spoke about accent plants and figurines that can add to the charm of a bonsai. Kusamono is usually a cute little arrangement with grass and flowers that can be a stand-alone arrangement too. Shitakusa is usually an accompaniment to a Bonsai, Scroll or a Suiseki. It usually compliments the main display of Bonsai without distracting focus on the main display. Figurines are placed to either tell a story or to balance negative spaces in a tray or landscape arrangement. Some figurines can also symbolize patience, longevity, wisdom and the likes.

  

 

George gave us very practical guidelines to thicken the trunkline. He came about with 6 points to be borne in mind for accomplishing this in his usual passionate animated style.

1.Plant the tree in the ground and forget about it for 2 years.

2.Use an old tyre with a slab as the base and plant in it if ground is not available.

3.Maintain the sacrificial branch to thicken the trunk.

4.Split the trunk at the base and place a wedge. Fill soil to cover it until it develops roots and a wider nebari.

5.Place a thermocol sheet, an old CD or a tile at the base of a plant in a growth pot.

6.It is very important to feed the plant well with NPK every 25 days to ensure good foliage and rapid growth. Do not be in a hurry to transfer the plant into a bonsai pot unless it has satisfactorily developed.

   Molly had brought a very elegant looking kusamono that we couldn’t take our eyes away from. The presentation reminded us of the MASTER CHEF programme where a lot of importance is given to plating the dish. The combination of colours and texture variation of plants was amazing and spoke for itself. The container that held them too was placed on a slice of a trunk which enhanced the value of design. Water can be sprayed and not poured to maintain the form that a few pebbles held together.

    Special mention has to be made of Mr Rajagopalan, who has become a part of this Bodhi family just a year or so ago. He amazed us with his presentation on the techniques of Refining Bonsai. The talk on leaf reduction and defoliation had so much clarity in perception. He has even shared his PPT file for us to browse through. 

   How can I not mention the youngest of our member Tushar celebrating his birthday amidst us with Iranian goodies brought from the famous Shiraz Café. He was blessed by all of us for a healthy joyful life while we happily munched into the tasty mouth-watering snacks. 

Of Spots and Stripes

 --- By Harini Sathish & Girija Prabhakar

The spots and stripes on this tree’s bark are the clue to its common name: Tiger Bark Ficus. The tree’s botanical name is Ficus Microcarpa. And this popular, tropical evergreen tree is a favourite especially with Bonsai enthusiasts in Chennai.

This Ficus is an easy tree to grow. It can be grown indoors or outdoors. All it needs is six hours of sunlight a day; therefore, in Chennai, it’s best placed facing east or south-east. 

The soil must be aerated and drain well. It can be moist; but it cannot be soggy. Therefore, take care when you water this plant. Bonsai soil that’s a mix of river sand, coarse crushed rock and cow dung manure or vermicompost is ideal for this plant.

Fertilise the plant every two to four weeks during the growing season. This will promote lush foliage, strong roots and a healthy bark.

As with other Bonsais, regular pruning helps the plant to maintain its shape. And, remember to repot the plant once every two to three years.

If the leaves of your plant turn yellow or drop off, then your plant needs more water.  Too much water can also create problems as too little. Soaking or drenching your plant will only result in root rot.

Inadequate light and a lack of sufficient nutrients can also result in sluggish growth.

This plant is also prone to pests like scale insects, mealy bugs and spider mites. Spray your plant with diluted Neem oil; add a little bit of liquid, dish soap to the Neem oil.

With care and patience, the plant’s steady growth and its distinctive mottled bark will be your pride and joy!

Monthly Bodhi Meeting - July 2026

 Written  by  Dr.Yogesh

Yesterday's monthly Bodhi meeting was truly satisfying, with an excellent turnout of members. We had an engaging discussion on one of Bodhi's favourite bonsai species, Premna, sharing ideas, techniques, and experiences that made the session both informative and inspiring.

It was also a pleasure to see the beautiful displays of members' bonsai, each reflecting dedication and creativity. A special mention to Harinesh, whose Tiger Bark Ficus has undergone a truly dramatic transformation. Thank you for bringing such a large and promising piece of material to the meeting. It was inspiring to see the progress and added great value to the evening's discussions.

Harini with her Tiger Bark.

The meeting was filled with learning, friendship, and our shared passion for the art of bonsai.

I'm sharing my latest Premna creation from both the front and back views for you all to enjoy. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Meeting Recap - June 2026

 Written  by Sheela  Paniker

Meeting Recap - June 2026

Date:June 13, 2026

Venue:Presidency Club

The meeting started with Dr.Yogesh welcoming us giving a brief outline of the days proceedings.Then came the sweetest part of the day-our June birthday babies ,Alice,Beena,Girija,Sugandhi and Suman cutting a cute cake..

The highlight of the meeting was the discussion on the plant of the month,Ficus Pilkan.Mr.Raja gave us a vivid description of the plant through his Show and talk session,followed by an insightful talk on Lipstick ficus by Mr.Ram Kumar.

Then came the much awaited practical demonstration by Dr. Yogesh.We witnessed his magical fingers converting an ordinary Pilkan plant into an elegant creation.He also gave useful inputs on the plant.

We also had Ms.Sheela Babu giving a very motivating talk on how she started her bonsai journey,encouraging the newcomers to plunge into the bonsai ocean.

The senior members then discussed the plans for July and more importantly about the impending exhibition at Stella Maris.

 

To top it all we were treated with some very delicious snacks. All in all it was a fantastic get together and we wrapped up the evening to meet again next month with renewed vigour. Until then let us keep our shears sharp,our wiring tight and our hands far away from the trunk, lest we start feeling " creatively impulsive".😆

World Bonsai Day

 By Dr Yogesh

On the occasion of World Bonsai Day, the Bodhi Bonsai Association proudly celebrates the timeless beauty and soulful journey of bonsai. This special day is not just a celebration of miniature trees, but a tribute to patience, harmony, creativity, and the deep connection between nature and the human spirit.

As we mark this meaningful occasion, Bodhi wishes to highlight some of its memorable events, inspiring creations, workshops, exhibitions, and moments that have energized the minds and souls of bonsai lovers throughout the years. Every tree tells a story, every artist carries a vision, and every gathering strengthens our shared passion for this living art.

May this celebration continue to inspire creativity, friendship, learning, and respect for nature among all bonsai enthusiasts. Let us cherish the roots of tradition while nurturing the future of bonsai together.

Happy World Bonsai Day from Bodhi Bonsai Association. 🌿

Bodhi Meet @ Defence Colony Club

 By Vijaya Chamundeshwari

     Summer time asks for a place chilled with air cons but this club has the luxury of fresh air and natural light with huge trees surrounding it. More than all of this we have our defence colony members who are ever so ready with stretched arms and a broad smile ready to welcome us and stuff us with affectionately served goodies. It is no surprise that we had the hall filled with a whopping 25 members chirping away. Even the SUN had the brightest smile!

     With doctor welcoming us all to a session on FICUS we were all ears and eyes. Brains were set afire with naming the different plants that were displayed. ‘That’s a long Island’ says one while the other says ‘no no no that’s green island’……..Suseela Verghese cleared that by saying Green Island belongs to the microcarpa family, which also has Long Island, Compacta, Coin Ficus and few more  under it. Long island does not have long leaves. They all got their names from their place of origin. Ficus compacta plant has small leaves and is well suited for a Mame Bonsai. George spoke on Ficus Rumphii a fig species that drops aerial roots. Again, we had this doubt about Ficus Rumphii and Ficus Religiosa cleared by Sheela Babu. The leaf of Religiosa has a long, pointed tip and is what we also call the Bodhi Tree or the common Arasa Maram. With that we all attained enlightenment.



     The Tree of Life as most of us know is a symbol of unity, signifying the interconnectedness in this universe, as depicted in many art forms from paintings, murals to sculptures. To our surprise, Molly Cherian brought us the actual Tree of Life.  A beautiful sturdy tree that gives pretty purple shaded flowers - the National flower of Jamaica. Guaiacum Officinale is the botanical name and is known for a lot of medicinal qualities.

     There was a lot more said about summer care by Mohan and Ficus maintenance by Dr Yogesh. Google search and chatgpt gives you the basic info but for hands on experience and care on these topics, we suggest you become members of our club, where we enjoy exchanging knowledge and experience. Every member has a different experience with their trees and one of them might match your own. The high light of our sessions is always the Q&A Open House.

     Ficus is not a topic that can be covered in just one session. Next month being a holiday, we have enough to work on with the help of our masters through WHATSAPP. 

Happy holidays

Join our regular club meeting every 2nd Saturday

 BODHI - The Chennai  Bonsai Association

What makes it Bonsai?

Do you wire the roots?

Does it live indoors?

Do you give it any water?

The art of bonsai is not a mystery.

Would you like to know  more about how to create  and maintain a living  bonsai?

You can find support and  educational opportunities  in BODHI - The Chennai Bonsai Association.

Regular meetings are on 2nd Saturday of the month from 2.30 to 4.30 pm.

Our club is a great  place  to start, renew, or continue to explore your interest in bonsai .