Added: Monday 17 September 2007
BONSAIS - THOSE LITTLE TREES By: Dr. Johnny Lee The year was 1970 and my fiancée at the time had dragged me out to my very first flower show. Little did I know that that experience would change my life forever, with horticulture becoming a lifelong passion for me and bonsai a special part of it.  Of all the many stunning exhibits I saw that day, the one that impressed me the most was an old, gnarled Logwood tree (Haematoxylum campecianum), no more than two feet tall, growing in a shallow pot. That was my introduction to bonsai. How fortunate I was, for at that time, one would hardly have seen a Bonsai tree in Trinidad and Tobago other than in a book or magazine.
Nowadays, one is more than likely to encounter one of “those little trees” in real life, thanks to the efforts of the Bonsai Society, which was founded in 1992.
In addition to training its members in the intricacies of bonsai growing, the Society holds public workshops to introduce interested persons to the art, and mounts displays for the public to become familiar with these fascinating plants. ORIGIN Bonsai (pronounced bone-sai) literally means “tree in pot.” It is the art of growing trees in containers to look like mature trees in miniature. It originated in China during the Han dynasty (202BC to 220BC), when trees, naturally stunted by harsh weather conditions, were collected, potted and used as ornamentals. It later spread to Japan, where the western world would get to know about it and presume that it was there where this ancient oriental art originated. The art of bonsai traveled to the United States with immigrants from Japan, and up to the early fifties, was practiced there mainly within the Japanese community. Then, courses, most of them conducted by Japanese-American instructors, became available to everyone, and the art quickly spread.
Mainly temperate climate trees were used for Bonsai until the late fifties, when Frank Okamura, a Bonsai instructor at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, started to work with tropical and subtropical species which would survive indoors during the winter months.
The first indoor bonsais included many plants widely grown in the tropics; so it is not surprising that within a short time, bonsai growing spread to regions such as the Caribbean. CARIBBEAN BONSAI Bonsai in the Caribbean started in the early sixties or maybe even earlier: Charles Baeza introduced it to Trinidad in the late sixties when he displayed his plants, including that fine Logwood specimen that had inspired me so many years ago; while bonsais created by the renowned horticulturist and garden writer, Iris Bannochie, have been featured at the famous Andromeda Gardens in Barbados since the sixties. There are now vibrant bonsai clubs in several Caribbean islands, including St. Lucia, Puerto Rico, Barbados and Martinique. If you would like to get in touch with the Bonsai Society of Trinidad and Tobago, you can call the secretary, Victor Maloney, at 788-9330. NEXT TIME In the meanwhile, if you have any garden tips or news to share, or have a garden problem, drop me a line at thehappygardner@tstt.net.tt.
Published on September 9th, 2007 in the Trinidad Guardian
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We have lots and lots of new titles in our collection. For the little ones, teenagers and adults, both fiction and non-fiction. Something for everybody. Please download a list of our latest acquisitions.
Book clubs are a fantastic way to meet new people, read great books, and share opinions about what you read. Biblioteca Nacional Aruba invites you to join a bookclub. If you like to read and share your experience with others than please drop in. Bookclub members meet monthly to discuss the book they are reading. Titles are picked by members, and may include both fiction and non-fiction. Groups consist of 4 to 6 people. This is an activity for adults and takes place in the library in the morning. If you are interested in joining a bookclub please call us to sign up or mail to 
It is not clear to which species our ‘Bushi’ belongs. That is not surprising considering the fact that on our islands alone there exist various species which look very much alike. The most common species has about 12 ribs covered with reddish brown species. When flowering the cactus starts to grow a felt-like pillow on top of which appear the small pink flowers. With each succeeding flowering period the pillow grows a bit more and some of the cacti have quite a chimney on their “heads” (The Turks cap). Formerly these plumes were used in tinderboxes. The fruit is pink to pale red and quite edible though without a distinctive taste.
The festival activities will take place in some of Aruba’s most beautiful cultural locations: Aruba’s Concert Hall in Cas di Cultura, the Exposition Hall, the National Library, and Access Art Gallery. 
Growing as a tree or a spreading bush it is found most often along the seashore. Nowadays the decorative properties of this tree have been discovered and it is being seen more often in gardens and parks. The stem is smooth and spotted and the large leaves are almost round with a short stem. It blooms inconspicuously with bunches of small white flowers. After fertilization the “grapes” appear, at first green but when ripening they take on a bluish purple color. Children are quite fond of their slightly acid taste. The wood is quite hard and has been used for making furniture. The bark may be used in a tea against diarrhea.
As many flowers and plants in the Caribbean this pretty one is known under many names like Tuturutu, Dwarf Poinciana, Dwarf Flame tree, Red bvird of Paradise or Pride of Barbados. Whatever you call her, she is just delightful, an absolute eye catcher.
Parrotfish can be seen along the coast of Aruba. A special spot would be around the peer of the Palm Island. If you toss bread in the water, within second the Parrotfish will surround you, showing off their splendor. Wonderful bright and strong colors, quite big and unafraid, almost eating from your hand.
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