The Bonsai Biker

The bonsai passion of Stefan Gmur.

- Bonsai Focus Studio

What was your professional education?

I was educated as a toolmaker in the watch industry and afterwards completed my studies at the Fachhochschule as a graduate engineer and business engineer. Today, I work as a divisional manager for one of the world's largest manufacturers of laser machine tools. In my department we manufacture laser micro processing machines.

What kind of bonsai education did you have?

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy a classical bonsai training. However, I read my own specialist magazines thoroughly and I followed online platforms. I also attended the workshop of artists from the bonsai scene and applied my newly-taught skills to my trees.

How did it all start? Can you tell us how you got into bonsai?

When, in the third class at school, we sowed oat seeds as a project. I took some home and planted them in a pot. From that time, the world of plants fascinated me so much that my room was more like a greenhouse than a child's. To learn more about plants, I often went to the library. There I made my first contact with a bonsai book. In short, I planted at home all sorts of maples and other native trees. At the age of 16, however, my interests turned towards triathlon sports. A maple survived this period. When I put the sport on the nail in 2002, I wanted to plant the maple in a beautiful bonsai pot and went to the most wonderful bonsai centre in Switzerland, at Schinznach. There the bonsai virus took over again with full force.

How did you get to know more about bonsai?