Afabforestof tinytreestake rootinTroon

One hundred and fifty Bonsai specimens are on show in Troon this Sunday (May 6) in an event which has doubled in size and the biggest seen in Scotland.

When the Scottish National Bonzai Exhibition was in town two years ago it was staged in the Walker Hall.

It has now taken over the Concert Hall too as the hobby spreads.

Organiser Jeff Banning insists: “We are trying to get more people to take it up.

“Bonsai is very therapeutic and contrary to belief does not take up a huge amount of your time or money.”

Jeff, inaugural chairman of last year’s Ayr and District Flower Show, is just back from a fortnight in Japan.

He is President of the Scottish Bonsai Association and convenor of the Ayrshire group which meets in Alloway Village Hall on the second Sunday of every month.

And he said: “I was touring Bonsai nurseries in Japan and am full of ideas.

“You can get some young trees to look very old very quickly.”

The trees in Troon will be up to 100 years old, the tallest being a pine or oak at 32 inches.

At the other end of an already tiny scale will be a six inch high larch.

Up to 30 varieties will be on show and there will be Scottish bonsai traders selling bonsai trees, pots, scrolls and artwork along with supplies such as tools and fertilizers.

Six Scottish bonzai clubs will be exhibiting and competing for awards.

Jeff added: “This exhibition is intended to dispel some of the myths around what to us is a fascinating hobby. We are always on the look-out for new members so this is a good way of making the hobby more visible and perhaps sparking some permanent interest.”

The show is on 10am-4pm, entry just £2, OAPS £1 and under-12s free.