My articles in the American Bonsai Society Journal since 2009 try to encourage new American forms of bonsai. Many Americans live in climates similar to Japan and China but most don't have the ability to winter-over temperate climate bonsai nor the skill or discipline to make outdoor trees thrive in containers. If American bonsai is to grow into a popular hobby, we need plants that "average bonsai hobbyists" can easily and successfully grow. Over thirty years ago, my "FICUS, An Inspiration for Bonsaifor Indoors!" articles in the ABS Journal began a major new American direction. Ficus has extraordinary traits but require more light than available in ordinary American homes. My research switched to lower light houseplants and my ideal plant is now Dwarf Schefflera, Schefflera arboricola. When properly trained to develop essential character and pre-acclimat-ed, this tree is the most successful for anyone anywhere who can grow houseplants. Styling specific bonsai should reflect each plant's inherent horticultural traits and this article illustrates techniques developed at Fuku-Bonsai to exploit unique Dwarf Schefflera characteristics. This new "Jellyfish Bonsai" design was inspired by a vision of tentacle-roots that flowed through water under a wide flattish, billowing, umbrella-like crown!
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