A Profusion of Tiny Leaves

I’ve been fascinated by bonsai trees for over twenty years. I started out buying pre-made bonsais from places like Sam’s Club or Target. Invariably, they all died. After reading a few bonsai books, I understood why and decided to follow the advice of those same books — grow and train my own. I placed seeds in the freezer for a few weeks, like the books said, then planted them in pots at the precise depth the books said — and watched them fail to sprout. I bought junipers, box elders, and other evergreen shrubs from places like Lowes and Home Depot, carefully transferred them to bonsai pots, trimmed them, watered them, did everything the books told me to do. And, invariably, they all died. Continue reading