Yes, Bonsai Trees Are Expensive
Yes, Bonsai Trees Are Expensive. My wife and I were in Puerto Galera to spend our honeymoon. Aside from enjoying the food and the nights together, our mission was to explore the place and take Instagram worthy shots. So we arranged for an island hopping tour with our contact person, Kuya Nanding (who was very helpful and affordable).
Off we went to meet Kuya Nanding in the afternoon to start the tour after lunch. We were both excited to see what was out there and I did not expect what we found on the shorelines!
 |
| Excited to island hop |
 |
| Ready to sail |
Bantigue trees growing in the wild
As we sail on the waters, I immediately noticed Bantigue growing among the sharp coral rocks on in the shorelines. Judging from how the trees are growing on the surface, I believed that some of them can possibly be grabbed by hand quite easily. Unfortunately, I came unprepared that day. If only I know there were such treasures in that place, I could have brought my hunting materials.
 |
| Happy to see the beauty of Puerto Galera |
One of the stops we had was this cave where got the chance to look and touch wild bantigue up close.
 |
| Bantigue in the background |
 |
| Holding on to bantigue trees for support |
 |
| The actual trees growing wild |
Philippine bonsai enthusiasts
Seeing these trees right in front of me got the bonsai addict in me salivating. So I rushed to Kuya Nanding to ask if he is familiar with the trees and the chances of getting some samples. He responded by saying that people don’t really pay a lot of attention to these trees but they know that they can be sold at a high price to Philippine bonsai enthusiasts.
Yes, bonsai trees are expensive, I replied. Our discussion went on and made a few minor agreements on how we can work together in getting a few sample materials.
I had to apologize to my wife for almost forgetting the original reason why we were there. lol
We spent 3 days and 2 nights in Puerto Galera. I should admit that my level of enjoyment doubled because of the trees I saw there.
On our way home, I was browsing FB and came across this picture:
The price tag reads 12,000,000 yen (around USD$106,500) or P5,582,517. Yes, millions of pesos. This tree is being sold in one of the exhibits that recently happened in Japan.
For many, bonsai is just a plant but for those who know, it is way more than just any plant.
Cultivating a tree
Cultivating a tree to achieve the looks as that in the picture would take time. We’re talking about years even decades of patience, consistency, and understanding of the inner workings of plants, how they grow, eat, and more. Some artists even spend a lifetime working on their masterpieces because bonsai as art is a canvas that is never finished.
That I think is just a basic answer as to why bonsai is priced like crazy. As for me, I think the price tag only tells me that the owner does not really intend to sell it and if there is anybody who would be interested in buying it, that person must be as crazy addicted to the hobby as the seller himself. lol
And I am kind of borderline addicted so if I have the money, who knows? lol
—
The art of bonsai originated in China and nurtured in Japan.
Fast forward, bonsai reached different countries across the globe including the Philippines. Filipinos being lovers of art and nature embraced bonsai wholeheartedly and this is evident up to the present.
Philippine bonsai enthusiasts are very active in the topic of bonsai. In fact, we have bonsai communities across the country running events. And exhibits dedicated to bonsai with free seminars every year.
