Hi gang,
I've been searching the web, and scanning the books, and I've seen
little to no mention of how to put together a display of indoor bonsai. I
have three tropical bonsai at the moment, and plan to create more. I'd
like to build a nice, multi-bonsai display stand but am a little light on
details.
Should it be solid or slatted? How do you control/handle water run
off, expecially with cascade and semi-cascade bonsai? Lighting can be done
per bonsai or overall (although I think the per bonsai optionis best), any
thoughts? In my particular case, the stand will be against an east wall,
with south-east, south and south-west windows letting sun into the room.
I'd really like to see photos/plans on a web page somewhere. Hope
someone can help.

Rich

P.S. I realize that by using a fake e-mail address I won't get an personal
replies. I'm posting this to rec.arts.bonsai and I expect to read asnwers
there, so I don't see the problem. The fake address helps me prevent spam,
which I get more than enough of already.

I've seen little to no mention of how to put together a display of indoor
bonsai.

The definitive book on the subject of display is Bonsai, Kusamono, and Suiseki,
by Willi Benz. In general, a bonsai display is not a permanent arrangement.
Your permanent setup will be a growing area with maximum light, either south
windows or fluorescent lights, and controlled humidity. You will display the
plants in the living area of the house only for short periods, like when you
have company, or for dinner.
If you are going to keep your bonsai in this window area, you will need utility
shelves with drain trays, fans, humidifiers, and an enclosure to control the
humidity. It will not be a pretty display, probably.
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

(Iris Cohen) wrote in

The definitive book on the subject of display is Bonsai, Kusamono, and
Suiseki, by Willi Benz. In general, a bonsai display is not a
permanent arrangement. Your permanent setup will be a growing area
with maximum light, either south windows or fluorescent lights, and
controlled humidity. You will display the plants in the living area of
the house only for short periods, like when you have company, or for
dinner. If you are going to keep your bonsai in this window area, you
will need utility shelves with drain trays, fans, humidifiers, and an
enclosure to control the humidity. It will not be a pretty display,
probably.

Are indoor tropical bonsai that rare? I'm not sure I can believe that everyone who
has these kinds of bonsai have the room in their house for a seperate humidity and light
controlled growing area. I certainly don't. I'm planning to build a hot-house/bonsai
house in the backyard next year, but for now I'm stuck with keeping my tropicals in the
living room and my evergreens in the unheated basement.
I do realize that what I am able to build will look nothing like the traditional
Japanese Tokonoma. I don't have a problem with that. I'd just like to have a
permanent, functional place that can be seen by visitors *and* allow me to provide for
the bonsai's growing needs. I don't have a problem with humidity, despite the fact that
I live in Utah; my 150 gallon reef tank provides quite a bit and I can add the rest
using drip irrigation style misters.
I guess I thought that I wasn't the only one attempting something like this so
there would be web sites or books I could refer to while designing mine. I do
appreciate the advice given so far. And if I'm wrong about my assumptions I certainly
need to know before I kill any of my wonderful bonsai. I will look for the book
mentioned above, thanks!

Rich Allen