First International Symposium on Bonsai

The First International Symposium on Bonsai was held in Taichung, Taiwan from 4-7 November 2017.

The symposium was organized by the Taiwan Society for Horticultural Science (TSHS), the Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station (TDARES), the National Museum of Natural Science (NMNS), the Department of Horticulture and Landscape, National Taiwan University (NTU), and the National Bonsai Association of Taiwan under the auspices of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) and with the support of the Council of Agriculture (COA), Executive Yuan, ROC. At the same time, the 2017 Bonsai Club International (BCI) Convention and the 14th Asia-Pacific Bonsai and Viewing Stone Convention & Exhibition were conducted in Changhua, Taiwan.

More than 100 bonsai-related researchers, technicians, creators, and enthusiasts from 16 countries shared their knowledge and information in this first ever bonsai symposium.

'Bonsai' is one of the most traditional and unique horticultural techniques from the 6th century until today in Asia, as well as worldwide. It connects with cultivation and art. Its marketable demand and value are increasing gradually with the raising income, as along with life aesthetics of consumers. In the past few years, Taiwan has played an important role in the development of the bonsai industry. Therefore, the organizers invited both distinguished researchers and industrial experts to deliver their research results and experience.

Two keynotes, six delegates from USA, Singapore, Japan, Israel, India, and Taiwan, shared the characteristics, development and future prospects of bonsai in their countries. The scientific topics of the symposium were grouped into four sessions: History, genera, and aesthetics; Technologies; Genetic diversity; and Application and development. Another special arrangement by the organizers was a bonsai master demonstration, showing a full spectrum of techniques such as cutting, pruning, and shaping.

The symposium covered studies on many aspects and aimed to provide a platform to report on all information and to offer an opportunity to share knowledge for a better understanding of bonsai. We are also grateful to all committees, speakers, and participants for their contributions to the success of the symposium and thank the financial support from COA's project.

Conveners of the 2017 I International Symposium on Bonsai
Dr. Hsueh-Shih Lin
Taichung District Agriculture and Extension Station
Taiwan Society for Horticultural Science

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Contents:

The impact of climate on bonsai care in eastern Europe
Bogdan Andrzel Pociask

The misinformation that plagues the U.S. bonsai community
Michael Hagedorn

Israeli bonsai – from concept to reality: an updated review of a growing enthusiasm
Moshe Michel Emergui

Bonsai country report of Taiwan, R.O.C.
Paul Liao

Singapore bonsai: history, present, and future development
Twang Keng Boh

Bonsai in India: a growing movement
Sujay Shah

'Bonsai', the editing ability with animism and Japanese sensitivity, not only wiring but also imagination of nature
Mitsuo Matsuda

Juniper bonsai of nowadays and future in Taiwan: evaluating circumstances and improving cultivation
Ho Yung Yu

Diversity of native bonsai plant in Taiwan
Hsin-Fu Yen and Der-Ming Yeh

Diversity of introduced bonsai plants in Taiwan
Hsin-Fu Yen and Der-Ming Yeh

Morphological diversity of crabapple in Taiwan: a potential plant species for bonsai
Mei-Wen Pan, Kun-Cheng Chang, Chih-Chieh Chen, Pei-Yu Shih and Jer-Chia Chang

The stronger the youth, the better the future of penjing: analysis of penjing education for youth and prospects of penjing industry in China
Juan Wang

New practices of bonsai – from ideas to works
Yuan-Hsiou Chang, Hsiu Yang and Tsai-Fu Chuang

Appendixes: photos and symposium abstracts