Bonsai Myths Revealed - A Talk | 04 April 2026
A free talk to dispel recurring myths about growing bonsai. Beginners and professionals welcome.
Bonsai (盆栽) - literally "planted in a container" - is the Japanese art of growing trees in containers to evoke the power and dramatic beauty found in nature. A single tree, shaped and tended over years or decades, can suggest the scale and presence of an ancient forest giant, a windswept coastal pine, or a cliff-face tree clinging to bare rock. It is an art of deep patience and close observation, where the grower works with the tree's natural character rather than against it.
Bonsai has been practised in Japan for over a thousand years, shaped profoundly by the influence of Zen Buddhism and its emphasis on simplicity, restraint, and the appreciation of natural forms. What began as an art of the elite and the monastery gradually became part of broader Japanese culture, developing its own aesthetics, terminology, styles, and tools over the centuries. Today it is practised globally, with conventions, museums, and collections on every continent.
This talk will trace the origins and history of the art and examine its contemporary standing. Our speaker, Carl, will then address the myths and misinformation that persistently shape public perception of bonsai - ideas that discourage many people from engaging with it. The session will be highly interactive, with ample time for questions. The goal is simple: to share the genuine joy that comes from growing these trees.
This is the first in a series of bonsai talks and sessions to be held at WAZA. It is free to attend, but participants are requested to reserve a place to ensure we can welcome all guests who are interested.
- Address: WAZA Japan Store, 201 Bree Street, Cape Town
- Date: Saturday, 04 April 2026
- Slideshow, Talk & Discussion: 11:00 - 12:30
Complimentary green tea will be served. Street parking is available in the surrounding areas.
About the Host
Carl Morrow has been passionately involved in bonsai for 39 years. He was introduced to the art by Kenneth Doble in 1987 at the age of 15 and has been an active participant in the Cape Town bonsai community ever since - working with fellow growers, developing his own interpretation of the art, and contributing ideas and perspectives that have enriched the broader community.
Carl has lectured at numerous clubs, regional symposia, and National Conventions, and was invited to present at Bonsai Europa, the largest bonsai event in Britain. He has travelled to China, Australia, the United States, Holland, Belgium, Italy, and the UK to attend conventions and experience bonsai first-hand. He co-authored Bonsai Success in Southern Africa with Keith Kirsten - now in its second edition and widely used as a reference by South African growers - and has consulted on and contributed photography to four further books. Two of his trees have been selected for the World Bonsai Contest.
In his professional life, Carl holds a PhD in botany and works as a researcher and scientist.