Bonsai Tree Master
Bonsai Tree Master? Hardly, but today we saw a guy on the street selling Bonsai Trees. He was from Car Car, a town south of Cebu
City. He started out the day with several trees, I guess all he could carry and rode buses to the north part of the Cebu Province. Quite a journey. By the time he got to Bogo City, he had only three trees left.
He sold us the three trees for P300. Probably a little high as we didn’t really try to talk him down. He started out with one tree for P150 but then suggested we buy all three for P300 which we did with Jessie twisting my leg.
I had already spent some unplanned money as we had another power outage. I had gone out for my walk but it started raining so that got cut short and we took a tric to the post office. I needed to mail my insurance claims off for my medications for this month. When we got back CEBECO, our power company cooperative was working on the lines. So off I went to Jollibee. It had been cool for almost two weeks, it warms back up and then they cut our power off. Perfect timing. LOL
While at Jollibee’s we saw the tree vendor outside. Actually, I think he saw me and made sure I saw him. In any case, we ended up with three trees for about $6.75. The last time I saw a kit in a box to grow them was in the US and it cost $99.00 I don’t know if that included a tree. I don’t understand how it could in a box. Maybe it was a seed. 
It was from one of the science stores that had sprung up in the malls in the mid 90′s.
Now I have to learn what to do with it. We got two different kinds of trees. We certainly didn’t know what we were doing so we could have made all kinds of mistakes with what we purchased. I hope not and I doubt it. Jessie got his phone number so we could buy orchids from him next time he is coming up this way.
I’m pretty excited with our pathway to becoming Bonsai Masters. There is a guy just up the street that has hundreds of trees. I hope he will help me with my Bonsai tree.
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Hey Rusty, So you’re on your way to being a bonsai master! I’ll have to be on the look-out for that guy next time we’re in town. I don’t know much about bonsai other than hearing to not to let them dry out. Have you ever seen some orchid sellers across the street from Jollibee? I’ve bought orchids there in the past and orchid fertilizer. These were local vendors though. Good luck with your trees.
Hey Queenie, No I’ve not seen the orchid vendors.
Jessie said they are now at the public market and that they will be there today. It is “market day” in Bogo City. I have no idea what market day is.
Jessie told me people come from nearby town to sell their stuff on market day.
When you come I’ll help you find the guy. I’ve actually found two people in town now that have many Bonsai. They may be related. The one I met has one tree that is more than 100 years old. Its huge in Bonsai terms.
Sounds cool Rusty! I have a lot of flowers and trees in my yard but I never had a bonsai. I’ve bought orchids from vendors in that place that I told you about, the woman even invited us back to her house to see what else she had, but we didn’t have time. I’ve bought cut flowers from Bogo outdoor market area, but I don’t know about the market that Jessie is referring to. You’ll have to tell me what you guys find there.
I tried to do some research tonight, hard when I don’t know what type of trees they are and I’m willing to bet that whatever world the rest of the world uses, Filipino have made up their own word. That will make it even harder to research. I’m going to have to get some help from an expert or they’ll be dead.
It sounds like maybe much has changed since you were here. I think the public market is new. It is down by the jail, if you know where that is. Near the bus terminal. Its pretty large and it is expanding. That is where the wet market is too.
If you walk down to the small wharf, you can see it off to your right as you enter the wharf. My landlord mentioned it was fairly new but I don’t know how new that is.
The public market use to be at or near Gaisano but not any more. I think there is a neighbor that might give me some orchids to kill. LOL Positive outlook I have?
I’m new to Cebu (from Manila) and hope to get into the Bonsai hobby myself. Any tips where I should start?
I have just started myself. R U In Cebu City or else where.
There is Bonsai Club that I intend to join. Once I know how, I’ll post the information here. My net connection is down so I’m a little slow responding right now. Working out of a cafe right now.
If you’re interested in Bonsai next time you are in Cebu why don’t you try to get an interview with Mr John Young? His home is off Panis Street near the Cebu Memorial Park. Talk about a Bonsai Master!
http://hoz49.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/over-the-wall-behind-the-gate/#more-126
I would like to visit his place. Both Jessie and myself are a bit shy though. I’m going to join a bonsai club, I have a hunch he’s a key player in that..
Very nice trees, he turned a palm and bananna tree into bonsai? now that’s cool and a we bit funny.
Maybe you can take us by there. Maybe we could ffind a way to marry into his family. LOL
We were invited by my sis in law who knows John. He is one of the “shakers and movers” in Cebu business and by myself, I wouldn’t have had an “in” if you know what I mean.
Still, you have a mutual interest, and he would probably be happy to tour a fellow BonsaiBuddy around his garden. I haven’t gotten around to writing about the extensive orchid garden he has in the rear!
We R in the US right now and, barring emergencies, don’t expect to return to Cebu for 4-5 years. But when we come back I’ll see what I can do if you haven’t met John already by then.
I have a good shot at getting to know him. I will be joining the Cebu Bonsai Club, hopefully next month. Seems like my whole life is next month. LOL. That may not be the exact name but it is close. I need to go see my friend up the hill.
He is likely one of the major players in Cebu too, or was. He owns a large construction company. I think he is retired though and his sons run it now. I should go up there today, but that means I want walk so I think I’ll walk today and maybe get up there tomorrow. Jessie may go to to the City tomorrow though.
Four or five year? Man that’s horrible.