[Photo/hz66.com]

Sporting a baseball cap and a worn-out jacket, Xu Hao gestures with one hand while cradling a rhododendron bonsai in the other.

Xu, the owner of the Zhiyuan Bonsai Cultural Museum, enthusiastically imparts bonsai care techniques to a group of enthusiasts who have traveled all the way from Hubei province.

"For now, refrain from touching the bud. Wait for the branches and leaves to grow, and then trim them," advises Xu.

Hailing from Huzhou's Anji county, Xu Hao has dedicated over 40 years to the art of bonsai. He has honed his skills in creating bonsai using various tree species, with a particular focus on pine and cypress bonsai.

As the deputy director of the China Bonsai Artists Association and an internationally recognized bonsai master certified by Bonsai Clubs International (BCI), Xu has earned numerous accolades throughout his illustrious career.

Though his hair has turned grey in his late 50s, Xu's passion for creating bonsai remains undiminished.

In 1980, after graduating from high school, Xu Hao returned to his hometown –Longwan village. During breaks from farming, he would dig up beautiful tree stumps and plant them in various containers. This marked the beginning of his journey in the world of bonsai.

"Later on, my father introduced me to a bonsai master from Suzhou (in Jiangsu province) who came to Anji in search of tree stumps. By chance, this bonsai master imparted knowledge about plant care, pruning, and shaping to me," Xu recalls.

Following this encounter, Xu diligently sought out materials to create bonsai during his free time in between agricultural lulls. Whenever possible, he sought guidance from nearby bonsai teachers to further enhance his skills and accumulate experiences for his own creations.

In 1984, Xu showcased four of his bonsai artworks at a bonsai exhibition in the county, which eventually led to him receiving an invitation from a flower and tree company to become a bonsai craftsman a year later.

In pursuit of his lifelong dream, Xu took a leap of faith in April 1994 and embarked on an entrepreneurial path, leaving behind his stable job.

"Commercial involvement in bonsai production necessitated considering customers' demands. Working independently provided me with more creative freedom," Xu explains.

In October 2021, Xu's long-cherished aspiration was fulfilled with the completion and opening of the Zhiyuan Bonsai Cultural Museum. Since its inauguration, the museum, home to over 5,000 distinct and vibrant bonsai trees, is free to visitors.