Alex Mendoza

My love for nature and miniature things began early when I first saw bonsai in The Karate Kid movie. This art form captivated me, and I soon learned that it could be created with almost any tree species. My journey began over 15 years ago when my mother gifted me my first bonsai. Unfortunately, I lacked the knowledge to care for it, but a year later, my aunt gifted me another, reigniting my passion.

During the pandemic, as I expanded my collection, I discovered how therapeutic and calming bonsai could be. It provided solace during tough times, helping me find peace and focus. My skills grew as I entered competitions, earning recognition and prizes, including a second-place finish in a bonsai styling competition among the top artists in the state. This accomplishment motivated me and showed that I could potentially pursue bonsai as a career, especially since I had only been taking it seriously for a few months, while most competitors had years of experience. The following year, I won the President’s Award at the state bonsai exhibition for having one of the best trees in the exhibit.

I am self-taught, having primarily learned through reading many books and hands-on practice, later enhancing my skills with educational videos and guidance from masters better than me, most importantly I never stop educating my self & learning more each day. Today, I run a professional bonsai nursery where I teach in-person classes, offer workshops, and lead demonstrations. I sell and ship trees across the United States and travel for bonsai projects. I’m excited to share my passion and help you appreciate the calming art of bonsai.