In this episode, I sit down with the two founders of Bonsaigers to hear their stories, learn about their backgrounds, and discover how they built the successful Bonsaigers company and virtual bonsai exhibition. We focus on Bonsaigers X 2026, an innovative online bonsai competition that continues to grow year after year, bringing together bonsai enthusiasts from around the world. Participants submit photos of their trees and compete in a bracket-style tournament, with trees eliminated round by round until a champion is crowned. With some really cool prizes up for grabs, this unique format makes bonsai competition fun, accessible, and engaging for the global bonsai community. It was awesome hearing how the founders' vision has grown into such a successful event and learning more about the people behind it!
Learn more at Bonsaigers.com, and check out the Bonsaigers X 2026 competition using the link below!

In this episode, I sit down with the two founders of Bonsaigers to hear their stories, learn about their backgrounds, and discover how they built the successful Bonsaigers company and virtual bonsai exhibition. We focus on Bonsaigers X 2026, an innovative online bonsai competition that continues to grow year after year, bringing together bonsai enthusiasts from around the world. Participants submit photos of their trees and compete in a bracket-style tournament, with trees eliminated round by round until a champion is crowned. With some really cool prizes up for grabs, this unique format makes bonsai competition fun, accessible, and engaging for the global bonsai community. It was awesome hearing how the founders' vision has grown into such a successful event and learning more about the people behind it! Learn more at Bonsaigers.com, and check out the Bonsaigers X 2026 competition using the link below!

#48 Bonsaigers X26

In this episode, Jeremiah Lee sits down with Sergio of M5 Bonsai Works for a wide-ranging conversation about bonsai, art, garden design, and the journey of becoming a serious practitioner.
Sergio shares how his early fascination with plants eventually developed into a lifelong practice, how he taught himself bonsai through books, magazines, online resources, and working alongside other American bonsai artists, and how his background in art continues to influence his approach.
They dive into Sergio’s personal style, designing and building his bonsai garden, creating a dedicated studio, managing light and shade, working with local stone, rock plantings, root grafting, and selecting Japanese maple cultivars that are well suited for bonsai.
The conversation also explores the challenges and failures that come with experimentation, the difference between being a plant collector and a bonsai practitioner, developing trees for the long term, and knowing when it’s time to let a tree go.
Jeremiah and Sergio also discuss the future of American bonsai, the importance of regional shows, display standards, workshops, and Sergio’s involvement with Bonsai Central.
A thoughtful conversation about craft, creativity, horticulture, and what it takes to keep pushing bonsai forward in the U.S.
️ Featuring Sergio of M5 Bonsai Works Bonsai • Garden Design • Rock Plantings • Root Grafting • Japanese Maples • American Bonsai

In this episode, Jeremiah Lee sits down with Sergio of M5 Bonsai Works for a wide-ranging conversation about bonsai, art, garden design, and the journey of becoming a serious practitioner. Sergio shares how his early fascination with plants eventually developed into a lifelong practice, how he taught himself bonsai through books, magazines, online resources, and working alongside other American bonsai artists, and how his background in art continues to influence his approach. They dive into Sergio’s personal style, designing and building his bonsai garden, creating a dedicated studio, managing light and shade, working with local stone, rock plantings, root grafting, and selecting Japanese maple cultivars that are well suited for bonsai. The conversation also explores the challenges and failures that come with experimentation, the difference between being a plant collector and a bonsai practitioner, developing trees for the long term, and knowing when it’s time to let a tree go. Jeremiah and Sergio also discuss the future of American bonsai, the importance of regional shows, display standards, workshops, and Sergio’s involvement with Bonsai Central. A thoughtful conversation about craft, creativity, horticulture, and what it takes to keep pushing bonsai forward in the U.S. ️ Featuring Sergio of M5 Bonsai Works Bonsai • Garden Design • Rock Plantings • Root Grafting • Japanese Maples • American Bonsai

In this episode, Jeremiah Lee sits down with Sergio of M5 Bonsai Works for a wide-ranging conversation about bonsai, art, garden design, and the journey of becoming a serious practitioner.
Sergio shares how his early fascination with plants eventually developed into a lifelong practice, how he taught himself bonsai through books, magazines, online resources, and working alongside other American bonsai artists, and how his background in art continues to influence his approach.
They dive into Sergio’s personal style, designing and building his bonsai garden, creating a dedicated studio, managing light and shade, working with local stone, rock plantings, root grafting, and selecting Japanese maple cultivars that are well suited for bonsai.
The conversation also explores the challenges and failures that come with experimentation, the difference between being a plant collector and a bonsai practitioner, developing trees for the long term, and knowing when it’s time to let a tree go.
Jeremiah and Sergio also discuss the future of American bonsai, the importance of regional shows, display standards, workshops, and Sergio’s involvement with Bonsai Central.
A thoughtful conversation about craft, creativity, horticulture, and what it takes to keep pushing bonsai forward in the U.S.
️ Featuring Sergio of M5 Bonsai Works Bonsai • Garden Design • Rock Plantings • Root Grafting • Japanese Maples • American Bonsai

#47 Sergio Cuan - M5 Bonsai Works - Bonsai Central Guest Artist

In part 1 of this episode, Jeremiah Lee and Julian Tsai talk about quality bonsai on a budget.  They discuss their experiences starting out in Bonsai and attempt to prioritize where beginners might want to invest and other areas which might not be so important.  Part 1 is primarily focused on spending money on Bonsai Trees and Education. While Part 2 dives into Bonsai Tools, Soil, Fertilizer and Containers.

In part 1 of this episode, Jeremiah Lee and Julian Tsai talk about quality bonsai on a budget. They discuss their experiences starting out in Bonsai and attempt to prioritize where beginners might want to invest and other areas which might not be so important. Part 1 is primarily focused on spending money on Bonsai Trees and Education. While Part 2 dives into Bonsai Tools, Soil, Fertilizer and Containers.

In part 1 of this episode, Jeremiah Lee and Julian Tsai talk about quality bonsai on a budget.&nbsp; They discuss their experiences starting out in Bonsai and attempt to prioritize where beginners might want to invest and other areas which might not be so important.&nbsp; Part 1 is primarily focused on spending money on Bonsai Trees and Education. While Part 2 dives into Bonsai Tools, Soil, Fertilizer and Containers.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Episode #8  Part: 1 Quality Bonsai on a Budget? with Julian Tsai

In this episode I got the opportunity to catch up with Andrew Robson of Rakuyo Bonsai.  I got to find out what he's been up to lately and ask questions about the world of deciduous Bonsai.  Andrew is a deciduious Bonsai specialist who more recently won the Best Deciduous Award at the Pacific Bonsai Expo in late 2022.  He is a full time professional with his Bonsai studio and home in the Portland OR area.

In this episode I got the opportunity to catch up with Andrew Robson of Rakuyo Bonsai. I got to find out what he's been up to lately and ask questions about the world of deciduous Bonsai. Andrew is a deciduious Bonsai specialist who more recently won the Best Deciduous Award at the Pacific Bonsai Expo in late 2022. He is a full time professional with his Bonsai studio and home in the Portland OR area.

In this episode I got the opportunity to catch up with Andrew Robson of Rakuyo Bonsai.&nbsp; I got to find out what he's been up to lately and ask questions about the world of deciduous Bonsai.&nbsp; Andrew is a deciduious Bonsai specialist who more recently won the Best Deciduous Award at the Pacific Bonsai Expo in late 2022.&nbsp; He is a full time professional with his Bonsai studio and home in the Portland OR area.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Episode #7 Andrew Robson of Rakuyo Bonsai

In this episode I got to sit down with Eric Schrader a Bonsai professional, YouTuber, founder of Bonsaify.com and co-creator of The Pacific Bonsai Expo.

In this episode I got to sit down with Eric Schrader a Bonsai professional, YouTuber, founder of Bonsaify.com and co-creator of The Pacific Bonsai Expo.

In this episode I got to sit down with Eric Schrader a Bonsai professional, YouTuber, founder of Bonsaify.com and co-creator of The Pacific Bonsai Expo.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Episode #6 Eric Schrader

In this episode I chat with Matt Spinniken @michigan_yamadori on Instagram about collecting, garden design, White Cedar, Larch and his healthy obsession with Bonsai.

In this episode I chat with Matt Spinniken @michigan_yamadori on Instagram about collecting, garden design, White Cedar, Larch and his healthy obsession with Bonsai.

In this episode I chat with Matt Spinniken @michigan_yamadori on Instagram about collecting, garden design, White Cedar, Larch and his healthy obsession with Bonsai.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Episode #5 Matt Spinniken

In this episode I catch up with Kaya Mooney, former apprentice under Boon Manakitivipart in the US and current apprentice at Fujikawa Kouka-en in Osaka Japan.  You can find Kaya's incredible work @Moonlightbonsai on Instagram.

In this episode I catch up with Kaya Mooney, former apprentice under Boon Manakitivipart in the US and current apprentice at Fujikawa Kouka-en in Osaka Japan. You can find Kaya's incredible work @Moonlightbonsai on Instagram.

In this episode I catch up with Kaya Mooney, former apprentice under Boon Manakitivipart in the US and current apprentice at Fujikawa Kouka-en in Osaka Japan.&nbsp; You can find Kaya's incredible work @Moonlightbonsai on Instagram.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Episode #4 Kaya Mooney

Interview with Adam Toth of the Bay Area, CA who recently returned from a 3+ year Bonsai apprenticeship at Taisho-En Bonsai nursery in Japan.  Adam is one of the few Americans to hold his official Shohin Certification from the Japanese Shohin Bonsai Association.

Interview with Adam Toth of the Bay Area, CA who recently returned from a 3+ year Bonsai apprenticeship at Taisho-En Bonsai nursery in Japan. Adam is one of the few Americans to hold his official Shohin Certification from the Japanese Shohin Bonsai Association.

Interview with Adam Toth of the Bay Area, CA who recently returned from a 3+ year Bonsai apprenticeship at Taisho-En Bonsai nursery in Japan.&nbsp; Adam is one of the few Americans to hold his official Shohin Certification from the Japanese Shohin Bonsai Association.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Episode #3 Adam Toth

Interview with Bob Shimon of Mendocino Bonsai.  MCBonsai.com

Interview with Bob Shimon of Mendocino Bonsai. MCBonsai.com

Interview with Bob Shimon of Mendocino Bonsai.&nbsp; MCBonsai.com&nbsp;&nbsp;

Episode #1 Bob Shimon

In this episode I Interview Julian Tsai who's a Bonsai professional located in Sothern California.  Julian is a previous apprentice at Fujikawa Kouka-en in Japan, he has also studied under Peter Tea and John Wang.  You can find his work at  Justbonsai.com and bontsai_ on Instagram.

In this episode I Interview Julian Tsai who's a Bonsai professional located in Sothern California. Julian is a previous apprentice at Fujikawa Kouka-en in Japan, he has also studied under Peter Tea and John Wang. You can find his work at Justbonsai.com and bontsai_ on Instagram.

In this episode I Interview Julian Tsai who's a Bonsai professional located in Sothern California.&nbsp; Julian is a previous apprentice at Fujikawa Kouka-en in Japan, he has also studied under Peter Tea and John Wang.&nbsp; You can find his work at&nbsp; Justbonsai.com and bontsai_ on Instagram.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Episode #2 Julian Tsai

An informal Podcast hosted by Jeremiah Lee, with the goal of satisfying an endless curiosity about all things Bonsai through chatting with and interviewing some incredible members of the Bonsai community.

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