Suzi - My Bonsai Mom

When I first dove into the world of bonsai, I met an incredibly caring person who would have a huge impact on my journey. She, along with her friend Barb, patiently answered all my endless questions about my growing obsession with these little trees. I would call and text her constantly—sharing ideas, concerns, and sometimes just asking if I could come over to work in her garden. I was in awe of the quality and elegance of her bonsai collection. But more than that, I was drawn to her warm heart and the constant encouragement she offered. She was endlessly patient, supportive, and more than willing to share the "secrets" behind her success. At the time, I didn't fully understand much of what she was teaching me, but I was deeply grateful for her kindness and her genuine spirit. I found myself visiting her house as often as I could, and every time, she greeted me with a big smile and a cheerful, "Hey MAN! How are ya!"—without fail.

The first valuable tree I ever received was a gift from her. I remember arriving at her place, excited to show her a couple of my nursery stock trees. I was eager to share what I'd been working on, discuss my direction, and get her thoughts. She stopped what she was doing and joined me, as was her way. In my excitement, I didn’t even notice what she had been working on—I was like a kid coming home from school, ready to show my parent my work. As I finished with my trees, I finally noticed the tree she had been tending to—it was a Burtt Davi Ficus. She’d bought a few of them online. They were small, stout trees in ½-gallon containers. At this point, I hadn’t yet come to appreciate the true value of tropical trees.

We sat down near her greenhouse, and she began explaining her vision for the trees and how she planned to develop them. Suzi and Barb had just returned from a West Coast bonsai show, where Suzi had seen this species and been inspired to buy them. She didn’t get into the specifics of the tree or show photos, but knowing the caliber of trees she already owned, I knew this must be something special. That was the moment I first considered the idea of keeping a tropical bonsai. I was hesitant about the logistics—moving a tree indoors and out through the seasons—but that’s a whole other story. As she shared more about her process, I found myself becoming more and more intrigued. I didn’t think it would happen, but there must’ve been something in my expression, because I ended up leaving with one of those trees that day—something I hadn’t planned for at all.

That day marked a turning point in my bonsai journey, a moment that solidified a deep connection with a woman I hadn’t known for long, but who felt like someone I’d known my entire life.

In truth, I didn’t fully grasp the significance of these trees at that time, nor could I have predicted the profound impact they would have on my life. I was drawn to bonsai with an intensity that mirrored how trees reach toward the sun—inescapable and inevitable.

This is just a small window into the countless hours Suzi dedicated to guiding me. Unfortunately, due to struggles with her memory, Suzi has had to step away from bonsai. It’s a heartbreaking chapter in this journey, but her influence on me will always remain.