Born 1955 and into Bonsai, on and off since 1967. I began growing things as a toddler, being allowed a small vegetable patch to keep me out of mischief. My first specialism was cacti. I had a collection of nearly 1000 plants in a 40' greenhouse by the time I was sixteen. Then I bumped into an early and rather poor bonsai book in the library. Its few b/w illustrations sparked enough interest for me to have a go. Lacking detailed advice and struggling with seedlings in pots, I failed miserably.

College, marriage and a career in teaching kept me away for a few years, until my interests in gardening were re-awakened through mountaineering and alpine plants. Then back into bonsai once more when I discovered Dan Barton's book. A real passion and an exponential growth in my knowledge and confidence began when I discovered that a local club had been set up.

I propagate plants constantly from seedlings, cuttings, air-layers, and grafting. They range from sticks in pots to thick ones growing on in garden beds. I also collect yamadori each winter.

For me it’s become a lifestyle.  

I've written several articles on bonsai that are reproduced here and have contributed to two of Craig Coussins books, including being technical editor on one.

Chairman of the Vale of Clwyd Bonsai Society for three years.

I’ve been a serial hobbyist since my teens; as well as the Propagation, Alpines, & Cacti, I'm a keen Mountaineer, into Canoeing, Speleology, Photography, Writing, Video, Web Design, Computer Building, Palaeontology, Suiseki, Pottery, Gardening and too many others that I really should curtail, but can't. Overriding them all for the last fourteen years - bonsai.  

All Text, Diagrams & Photographs © Kevin Bailey 1998 - 2008