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From slangin’ exotic plants out of the back of a Lexus to architecting a budding plant-centered design movement taking southern California by storm, the Plant Daddies are a breath of fresh air and inspiration. Leaning on their long-standing friendship and dedication to bringing people happiness through the compositions they create, the trio has rapidly risen in the design world of Southern California and beyond. Dane, Macy, and Kenny bring intense passion for both the plants they cultivate and the projects they serve as they pursue their dreams with impeccable taste and fearless commitment. Their boundary pushing aesthetic and defiance of the dogmatic norm have created a vision and aesthetic in the world of arborescent succulents and interiorscapes garnering the attention of leading designers and architects in the sphere of the modern aesthetic.  It was a pleasure getting to sit down with the master minds of a growing empire and discuss the nuts and bolts of their endeavor. From getting Plant Daddies off the ground to expanding the walls of what’s possible in their field, we enjoyed the conversation and are excited to see what the future has to offer this trio of creatives. See their work at theplantdaddies.com (http://theplantdaddies.com) or follow them on Instagram to be a part of their journey. Enjoy!

Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses

The Crespi Bonsai Museum, located near Milan, Italy, is home to one of the most impressive collections of bonsai trees in the world. The museum, established by the Crespi family, is dedicated to preserving the art and tradition of bonsai, which is a centuries-old practice of cultivating miniature trees in containers. The collection represents a wide variety of species. Among the most notable are pines, junipers, and maples, with some of the trees being hundreds of years old. These trees are displayed in a way that highlights their unique characteristics—like twisted trunks, dense foliage, and intricate root structures—showing how the trees have been carefully shaped over time. The museum also serves as a place of learning for both beginners and experienced bonsai enthusiasts. It offers insights into the techniques used to grow and maintain these miniature trees, including pruning, wiring, and repotting. Many of the trees at Crespi have been trained using traditional Japanese methods, which emphasize the natural beauty and balance of each tree. Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses

What happens when trees are confronted with rapidly changing conditions in their environment? Do some trees suffer? Do others thrive? What causes this to occur, and can we use this information to create a more sustainable future for our forests and the trees we love?  These, and other questions, are at the root of Meghan Midgley’s research her and a select group of colleagues are doing at the Morton Arboretum in Michigan. Meghan walks Ryan through her recent research on Nitrogen adaptability and some of the longer standing issues with salinization, and tree tolerances under urban pressures. It’s a fascinating conversation that gave us hope and optimism that solutions do exist, and trees can and will survive. But they made need our help. If you want to learn more about the Morton Arboretum and the work Meghan is doing, take a look here (https://mortonarb.org) .  To make a donation and help be a part of the solution here’s a link (https://give.mortonarb.org/campaign/657632/donate) to get started.  Enjoy the listen yall!

Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses https://uppbeat.io/t/zimpzon/xinjiang License code: KRNU8LHQCLR8WRS6

In this video, we take you through the entire process of turning a humble, 5-year-old rosemary plant (purchased as young material from a bonsai nursery) into a beautiful bonsai in just one year! Chapters: 0:00 - Fall 2024 5:38 - Spring 2025 7:35 - Summer 2025 8:40 - Fall 2025 From pruning and wiring to shaping and repotting, we filmed every step of the way, applying proper bonsai techniques to ensure our rosemary bonsai thrives and grows beautifully. This is a great project for bonsai enthusiasts of all levels, whether you’re a beginner or have some experience with bonsai care. ? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more bonsai tutorials! Rosemary is a resilient herb that can make a great bonsai. Make sure to give it plenty of sunlight, well-drained soil, and occasional pruning to maintain its shape. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to care for and shape our rosemary bonsai. Thanks for watching! #bonsai #rosemarybonsai #bonsaijourney #planttransformation #bonsaitutorial #gardening #bonsaicaring https://uppbeat.io/t/roger-gabalda/a-frozen-heart License code: IYNMQUDHSBGCVZEF https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/true-wonder License code: SQIDJYU2T493VETI https://uppbeat.io/t/bernie-rosa/dandelions-scatter License code: FFF5BNLTBC5NSYPS https://uppbeat.io/t/yawnathan/weightless-evening License code: SLUQTC7SIVWQXXR4 We thank the Japanese garden Clingendael, and our two technical supervisors Bob Ruitenbeek and Christiaan Yeh for their help. Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses

On a recent trip to the East Coast to retrieve the last of the original Kingsville Boxwoods grown for bonsai in the fields of Shanti Bithi, one of the most iconic bonsai operations in North America, we sat down with Jerome and Durdam Rocherolle. Built from the ground up by Jerome and his wife Carol, Shanti Bithi blended beauty, hardwork, and passion into a spiritual existence that opened the door for generations of people to find bonsai through the Rocherolle family’s heartfelt pursuit.  Guided by the teachings and mediative practice of spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, Jerome and his son Durdam share an intimate look at their story and their life lived at Shanti Bithi. Translated as The Path of Peace, the bucolic image of Shanti Bithi graced the back cover of Bonsai Today magazine for over 20 years, gifting practitioners with a glimpse of the beauty the bonsai lifestyle can bring. However, no single image can compare to the beauty of the Rocherolle’s story and how their life lived in service of their trees built a deep connection with the natural world that transcends the complexity of modern life.  From the world of perfume, to ultra marathons, and all the bonsai in between, our talk with Jerome and Durdam will go down as one of the most influential and impactful conversations we have had on Asymmetry. Enjoy!

There’s getting to know someone for the first time and the unveiling of personal stories and background that come with introductions; call it a familiarization of sorts. And then there are discussions with old friends and familiar faces where you pick up where you left off and continue to evolve the conversation.  We recently had the opportunity to be a guest on one of our favorite bonsai podcasts, Bonsai Time, hosted by Kevin Faris and Ryan Huston. Kevin goes back a long way with Mirai and has dove deep into bonsai in North America through his experience as well as through his podcast. We knew the conversation would go places other podcasts don’t and Kevin and Huston would ask questions of Ryan perhaps other podcasters might not have the familiarity or comfort level to discuss. The boys at Bonsai Time did not disappoint. From family and life outside of bonsai to the depths of Ryan’s experiences as an apprentice, a professional, and the bonsai community at large the podcast winds seamlessly through the many aspects of living bonsai as a lifestyle and all the bumps along the way. It was thoroughly enjoyable. If you haven’t listened the Bonsai Time be sure to check them out here (https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/). Subscribe and support their mission to continue shining light on all the good people and positive stories that exist inside this weird and wacky endeavor of bonsai in North America. We are excited for you all to have a listen and enjoy!

In recent years Hornbeams have grown in appreciation within the bonsai realm. Yet, the more we love them, the fewer we see of them. This, like many topics, has been bouncing around the workshop at Mirai lately. So, on a recent calm afternoon, Brandon, Brock, and Ryan seized the moment to commemorate their thoughts and explore the topic.  What came from their conversation was a breakdown of Hornbeam evolution and prevalence in the Kokufu. From discussing the merits, the levels, and the aesthetics of the Kokufu’s most interesting Korean Hornbeam through the years to equal parts gossip and bonsai theology, their conversation ranged wide and far. They even squeezed in a fall wrap-up for good measure.   Follow along in your Kokufu books and take a deep dive into the world of Korean Hornbeams and a summary of the fall happenings at Mirai. Enjoy the listen! To learn more about growing Hornbeam Mirai Live (https://live.bonsaimirai.com) has you covered. First week is on us.

Irene Taylor is an award-winning documentary film director known for her intense pursuit of human stories that often push her films and their viewers to the edge of beauty and emotion. Irene’s film Leave No Trace broke open the landmark Oregon court ruling which availed the Boy Scouts’ Perversion Files to victims of abuse creating accountability for decades of misconduct. The film earned the Dupont Award, journalisms’ highest level of achievement. Last year Vermilion Films, Irene’s production company received wide acclaim for I am Celine, which followed global icon Celine Dion’s battle with Stiff Persons Syndrome. I am Celine is the most viewed global documentary in streaming history. Irene’s prolific body of work has garnered Emmy Awards, Academy Nominations, a Peabody Award, and countless others.   Irene’s artistry and uncompromising commitment to intimacy and authenticity have stunned audiences since her first film Hear and Now, where she follows her deaf parents through their journey without hearing and their desire to understand the world of sound through cochlear implants. This film won the Sundance Audience Award and set the tone for Irene’s prolific body of work that followed.  Throughout the conversation Irene sheds light on her creative process and the stories that have led to the compelling films she has made. With the hope of gleaning some insight and inspiration from one of the most prolific and powerful film directors in the documentary sphere Ryan was all ears. We are really proud to invite you to sit back and enjoy a journey into the mind of a genius as we present Irene Taylor. Enjoy!   Irene Taylor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irene_Taylor_(filmmaker)#Filmography) filmography: 2007: Here and Now  2009: The Final Inch 2011: Saving Pelican 895 2014: One Last Hug: Three Days at Grief Camp 2015: Open Your Eyes 2016: Beware the Slenderman 2017: The Life Story 2018: Between Sound and Silence 2018: The Listening Project 2018: Homeless: The Soundtrack 2019: Moonlight Sonata 2022: Leave no Trace 2023: Trees and Other Entanglements  2024: I am: Celine Dion