Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does it cost? First meeting is free. £10 annual fee and £1 subs each meeting.

What happens at meetings? We have a two hour programme with a short break for raffle, tea and chat.

What will I learn? First and foremost, how to keep trees alive. Almost every aspect of bonsai cultivation has been tackled by our group and we are all keen to pass on the expertise.

When do you meet? On the first Sunday of every month at 6pm, unless it's a bank holiday when we meet a week later. Oh, and sometimes we meet an hour earlier when the meeting needs to be extended, for repotting workshops etc.

Where you you meet? In St Asaph Sports Centre, attached to the Glan Clwyd High School Building.

It's cruel though, isn't it? No more cruel that cutting a hedge, pruning roses or training grape vines.

Do you really keep them outside all year? The vast majority of trees CANNOT be kept indoors for more than a few days. Most bonsai are created from outdoor trees and will only thrive if kept outdoors. Tropical species may need a little frost protection but most of them dislike central heating.

What type of trees do you use? Any tree or shrub that can adapt to life in a pot. Most will reduce their leaf size and become slower growing. The ones with largest leaves may be too much of a challenge.

How old are they? Surprisingly a bonsai may look much older than it really is. That illusion is part of the art. Some can be incredibly ancient though.

How big is a bonsai? Anything from a few millimetres tall to something that takes four people to carry!

How do you pronounce BONSAI? In Britain we tend to favour Bon as in bonnet and sai as in sigh. It is widely debated elsewhere but that is how it sounded to me in Japan.

Why do you use these Latin names? Common names are very misleading as several plants around the world can have the same common name. The botanical or latin name is unique and understood worldwide by plantsmen.