Regarding the Bonsai Journey display - I have set this display just to give the general public an idea about growing bonsai. It really works well, maybe some other groups might like to give it ago at their next exhibition/show. If you do, it would be nice to see a photo on this forum.
I have a story card to go with the display, see text below.
Bonsai Journey
This display has been set up to show how trees end up being used in bonsai, and become exhibition trees like these you see at this exhibition.
Also, you will see a range of tools, wire, and other items needed to grow and train trees into a bonsai style.
One might think that bonsai trees just grow in bonsai pots - they do grow, but very slowly.
Most bonsai enthusiasts will have trees growing in what is known as 'growing boxes' in their backyards.
Growing boxes can be polystyrene boxes or large black garden pots. Some go to the trouble to make growing boxes out of timber.
By using growing boxes, your trees will establish themselves at a faster rate.
The enthusiast will still 'style prune' until their trees reach a point where it is time to re-pot them into bonsai pots, at which point they are given further training and wiring in order to continue the development of their trees.
There is also a large fig that has just been transfer into a bonsai pot (green) about 4 months ago.
If you look closer you will see wire guides pulling the branches down. This is one way branches can be pulled into the right position.
Some bonsai are even grown in the ground, but care must be taken as the tree will grow at a much faster rate.
Bonsai trees that have been growing in bonsai pots can be returned to growing boxes to continue developing their trees.
If you look closer, you will see a fig on a rock wrapped up in plastic. This is the early stage of a style called 'Root Over Rock'.
This fig might stay like this for a number of years before the plastic is removed and, by this time, the roots of the fig would have started to cling to the rock, just like in nature, where you see figs growing on rock ledges.
Most of the larger trees you see here will be removed from their growing boxes and be re-potted into bonsai pots.
If you would like more information about this display, Ask for Lance at the entry.
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never seen round tables used for a display before, but think they work quite well 
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