Tobie is a medical doctor in George, on the South Coast of South Africa. (George is situated about 450 km east of Cape Town). He started his Bonsai collection in 1998 and now has about 650 trees in his collection.

This is quite a big collection and Tobie employs a full time gardener to help with watering, weeding, feeding and pest control. Since starting bonsai, Tobie has become totally absorbed and has attended national and international congresses and visited bonsai gardens in Japan, China, Australia, Singapore, Bali and America. He is also very fortunate to be invited to do demo’s, lectures and workshops at local clubs in South Africa and Namibia.

My thanks go to Tobie for sharing some of his bonsai with us!

OLEA EUROPAEA var AFRICANA
Age of tree>100 years, collected 2000
Started as Bonsai 2001
Height 970 cm
Width 720 cm
Base of trunk 350 cm

ULMUS PARVIFOLIA
Age of tree±<30 years
Started as Bonsai 1976
Height: 1050 cm
Width 850 cm
Base of trunk 150 cm

CHAMAECYPARIS OBTUSA
Age of tree±20 years
Started as Bonsai 2003
Height: 420 cm
Width 430 cm
Base of trunk 60 cm

LACHNOSTYLIS BILOCULARIS
Age of tree>50 years, collected 2001
Started as Bonsai 2002
Height: 520 cm
Width 500 cm Base of trunk 220 cm

WISTERIA
Age of tree±20 years
Started as Bonsai 2000
Height: 1070 cm
Width 900 cm
Base of trunk 250 cm
This Wisteria was recognised among the 65 International Winners at the BCI contest in 2005

 

PYRACANTHA
Age of tree ±15 years
Started as Bonsai 2000 Height 950 cm
Width 350 cm
Base of trunk 10 cm

Views of some of Tobie's bonsai benches in his garden