Do your children help care for your bonsai?

[Cruiser]

As a new father, I’m curious to hear if other members involve their kids, grandkids, etc, in bonsai.

If so, how did it start and in what ways do they help? Was there an effort to introduce them, or did they see you and take to it naturally?

 

[Nybonsai12]

My kids don’t give two shits about bonsai although i can always convince my youngest to help me plants seeds as a fun little activity.

the older ones have no interest and to be honest I don’t want them near my trees anyway

 

[Cadillactaste]

They will help two step when impending weather comes and I move them to shelter. They were older teens when I got into the hobby. They seen the actual work that went into them. They want nothing to do with them.

That said. I've seen ones young young kids or grandkids interested in their bonsai.

 

[Wills612]

Ive taken my 12yo collecting the past few years. She enjoys that and cleaning them up.

 

[Cruiser]

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Ive taken my 12yo collecting the past few years. She enjoys that and cleaning them up.

Thats awesome!

 

[Cruiser]

My kids don’t give two shits about bonsai although i can always convince my youngest to help me plants seeds as a fun little activity.

the older ones have no interest and to be honest I don’t want them near my trees anyway

They will help two step when impending weather comes and I move them to shelter. They were older teens when I got into the hobby. They seen the actual work that went into them. They want nothing to do with them.

That said. I've seen ones young young kids or grandkids interested in their bonsai.

I must be getting old, because I can’t understand how someone wouldn’t find bonsai and trees interesting.
That being said, I was a bratty teenager once, that didn’t care for much beyond skateboarding and girls.

 

[vp999]

One can only wish lol.

 

[GGB]

Ive taken my 12yo collecting the past few years. She enjoys that and cleaning them up.

that's so cool. I don't/can't have kids, but I think it would be so cool to have a lit'lun that was also into bonsai

 

[Cadillactaste]

I must be getting old, because I can’t understand how someone wouldn’t find bonsai and trees interesting.
That being said, I was a bratty teenager once, that didn’t care for much beyond skateboarding and girls.

Oh...they can appreciate the looks of them. But...truly it isn't for everyone. Just like some people can't grow a weed even without killing it.

My dragon water bowl from Sonny Boggs. With the duck weed growing in it. My oldest wants when I die. He also admires the root over dragon. But...hasn't said anything of wanting it. It's more in lines with a tree.in a pot. Cool factor. But neither do plants.

But...they bust their butt helping me move them. Without asking. When I say...weather alert just came across. They move and we are a team. But no...bonsai isn't for everyone. Just like...gardening isn't for everyone.

I don't grow from seed...yet some enjoy the entire process. I grew up on a farm. I've watched the process of crops and such. Growing from seed. Isn't my passion. Yet...for another it maybe.

 

[Cruiser]

But...they bust their butt helping me move them. Without asking. When I say...weather alert just came across. They move and we are a team.

That’s really wholesome. What I hope to achieve with my kids some day.

 

[mj_barb]

I have a 2 year old and a 4 month old. Here are my notes (mostly to increase your bonsai time):

• At < 18 months they’ll pretty much hang with you in a stroller or baby carrier. I water with my 4 month old sometimes. After 18 months they want to walk around more.
• Once they start walking get a sand pit or play set near your benches. “We’re going outside to play!” = bonsai time.
• At 2 my son has really gotten into helping me water. I have a wand so it’s easy for us both to hold. On the flip side when I’m in a rush, I have to sneak outside.

I just got him to say “bonsai tree”. We’ll see if he ends up into it!

 

[coachspinks]

Nope, both are in their mid 30s and live with their families (one in Salt Lake City, the other about 45 minutes from us.) However, when they travel and hear of a Bonsai exhibit, they make a point to visit it and send me pictures. I do have a 2 and a half year old grand daughter who has to visit our garden with my bonsai as soon as she gets to our house.

 

[BrianBay9]

3 yr old granddaughter loves to water but only if she can do it by herself. Which means I need to turn the hose pressure down or everything gets blasted. She can turn the nozzle selector and loves the jet setting. Any we have to accept that she is watered as much as the trees.

 

[0soyoung]

I suggest starting like this: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvr_hx0JvzM/
I think the rest will/can come naturally

 

[MSU JBoots]

My 3 year old son helps me water routinely. He also helped me most my air layers shortly after separation. Outside of that the only other thing he’s done is come to the nursery with me to look for trees. Some day when he’s a little older if he has interest maybe I’ll buy him a cheap juniper that can be his to prune and other things to.

 

[yashu]

Yep, my older one used to be into it, less so now. My younger has fortunately picked up the torch and this spring went to his first repotting seminar



He just did branch selection and might do a little wiring in the next month or so

 

[Carol 83]

My 30 year old son waters my trees when we're gone. He does pretty well. I always leave my car keys for his use and $100 under my flour canister as motivation. One of his fishing buddies has shown some interest and I have given him some cuttings to play with. My son has asked me about grow lights and fertilizer, but not for bonsai....

 

[BonsaiPoppie]

Mine sons will gladly water them for me. They know its my passion and will make sure they do a good job. My youngest is into plants and such so he understands my passion. My grandsons are informed about my interest in Bonsai but we will see. In my will, they are informed to call San Diego Bonsai to come and get my tools, trees pots and whatever they want. It could change if my grandsons become interested.

 

[ShadyStump]

Out of 4 kids, ages 5 through 14, my 7 year old is the one who's shown the most interest. They each have their own plants and trees at my house, and are encouraged to care for them themselves, but mostly they're just there on the sidelines.
My 7yo though is very attached to her little benjamina. She's not interested in making it bonsai, but she's the one that gets excited with me when something tree related catches my attention.
My 5yo son loves his elephant plant, but really gets excited about flowers. He's got a great eye for just the right variety to make the flowerbed pop. Every year the kids get to pick flowers for it, but his always turn into the star of the show somehow.

Take it as it comes. Kids all love pretty things, but they're their people, so let them be.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

All my kids are out of the house except one, he likes them and will water for me but that's about it. My oldest daughter got the house plant bug from me and has a bunch herself, and both of my daughters like to go "thrifting" and will send me pics of pots they find to see if I want it. I just hope I've planted a seed for the future.

This thread made me think of this.