A Foundational Article at a Pivotal Moment

In June 2024, when the 130th issue of the French magazine Esprit Bonsai (July/August 2024) was published, a beautiful article highlighted the launch of Appy Bonsai. Written by Michèle Corbihan in the "Professional News" section, this text held a very special meaning for me.

It was the first time Appy Bonsai was mentioned in the specialized press. The application had just been launched and was already attracting significant interest among bonsai enthusiasts. The article accurately described my approach: to create a complete, accessible, and intelligent tool to support bonsai practitioners in managing their collections, regardless of their level or the species they grow. The tone was sincere, human, and unpretentious. It successfully conveyed the balance between passion, technology, and the desire to share that has driven me since the beginning of this project.

The Intersection of Two Journeys

But this 130th issue also had symbolic significance: it marked the very last edition of Esprit Bonsai, a major reference in the bonsai world for many years. A gentle conclusion to an editorial adventure that left its mark on generations of amateurs and professionals alike.

In this coincidence, there was a kind of handover. As Esprit Bonsai bid farewell, Appy Bonsai was taking its first steps. As if the end of a great paper adventure symbolically gave birth to a new digital path. The disappearance of an iconic magazine intersected with the birth of a digital project driven by the same passion for bonsai and the same desire for transmission and sharing.

A Tribute and Lasting Gratitude

I would like to sincerely thank Michèle Corbihan for her listening and writing skills. Her article accompanied Appy Bonsai’s first steps and allowed many readers to discover the application.

Since that publication, Appy Bonsai has evolved greatly: new languages have been integrated, thousands of species have enriched the database, and functionalities have multiplied to better meet the increasingly precise needs of the bonsai community.

A Common Root, a Future to Grow

This page in Esprit Bonsai remains a foundational milestone and a precious memory. It symbolizes the starting point of an adventure that I hope will continue to evolve in service of bonsai for a long time to come.

Thank you to everyone who was there at the beginning, and to those who join us every day.

Article Translation:

APPY BONSAI, TO MANAGE YOUR COLLECTION

"Who better than a bonsai enthusiast with a sensitivity to digital technology could have developed a mobile app to manage a collection of small trees? Frenchman Mickaël — who prefers to keep his last name private — launches Appy Bonsai, an application available on iOS and Android in 19 languages, offering complete and intuitive management of one’s bonsai collection, whether beginner or expert. Mickaël’s introduction to the bonsai world began out of simple curiosity and quickly turned into a consuming passion. His personal journey, combining a love of technology and bonsai, led him to create Appy Bonsai to help all enthusiasts care for their trees."

Appy Bonsai allows users to inventory all details relating to their trees, pots, rocks, and tools with detailed records and a photo gallery for each item, and to log events associated with each tree for a complete view of its history and development. It is also a tool to plan all necessary maintenance work such as pruning, repotting, or fertilizing.

Additionally, the app features a technical and scientific database of about 7000 tree species, providing advice — substrate choice, fertilization, watering, pests and diseases — tailored to each species and its climatic conditions.

Mickaël firmly believes that the future of bonsai culture lies in the intelligent integration of technology for precise monitoring and optimal care of every tree.

Appy Bonsai is accessible for free with all features enabled up to 5 records of bonsais, pots, rocks, and tools. A Premium subscription grants unlimited record access."