Bonsai artist Hu Falin: One pot, one scene, one world
Old trees in the pots sprout new buds, while dark hair in the mirror turns white.
The flowers and plants in the courtyard are lush and verdant. Hu Falin strolls slowly through the bonsai courtyard he has tended so carefully, his heart full of joy. Most of the effort of his life has gone into this. But Hu Falin has no regrets; the comfort and satisfaction these bonsai arts bring him are something others cannot understand.
Written by: Xiao Tang
More than thirty years ago, the young Hu Falin was still a (former) grassroots cadre in Shimaxiang. By chance he obtained a potted plant with a unique shape. This tiny plant seemed to possess enormous magic, sparking all of Hu Falin's interest and curiosity. The once ordinary mountain forests became a treasure ground, and he taught himself all kinds of cultivation techniques by natural intuition. He became obsessed with growing bonsai. The young Hu Falin at the time could not have known that a small hobby would have such a great impact on his life.
Today, in the three courtyards of his old home in Fushui, Hu Falin grows dozens of species of plant bonsai. These plants are all dear to Hu Falin's heart, and he treats each plant with care, as if it were a child. The year-round spring greenery and the brilliant colors of the blooming season are nothing but rewards for the effort Hu Falin has poured in.
A gentleman loves orchids, and Hu Falin loves them even more. Everyone knows orchids are delicate and precious. Hu Falin takes out his treasured copy of "A Brief History of Orchids" and tells us in detail about orchid cultivation and their long history. He shows us his orchids as if displaying precious treasures, and tells us that whenever it is the blooming season, their fragrance must fill the whole courtyard.
At 63, Hu Falin feels he is still very young. Climbing mountains and wading through rivers, crossing ridges and peaks, finding an uncommon plant can make him happy for days. But just digging it up is not enough; it also has to be kept alive. What to do? Reading materials, seeking masters, and even searching online, Hu Falin thought of every method he could. In the end, his dedication paid off, bringing this courtyard of vibrant life and making Hu Falin a horticulturist in the truest sense.
As time went by, more and more people gradually learned that there was a man in Fushui who was very good with flowers and plants, named Hu Falin. They knew his bonsai had unique shapes and were truly beautiful. Gradually, many people came to him by reputation, to talk elegantly about horticulture and appreciate the beauty of green plants together.
This also led him to develop related hobbies such as jade appreciation, stone appreciation, and root carving. His role as chairman of the "Shangnan County Flower Training Association" gathered even more like-minded friends around him, allowing him to fully exercise his talent and wisdom in this field.
Hu Falin is warm and cheerful. Whenever he mentions his treasures, there is light in his eyes. Over these decades, he has had so many things worth sharing: that unforgettable 1,500-year-old ginkgo, that finely textured rare stone he treasures so much...
These plants and jades fill Hu Falin's life to the brim. He immerses himself in his own world, enchanted and content. He feels fortunate that in this life he can enjoy these arts, adding so much pleasure and meaning to his ordinary life.
You say you like rain, but you open an umbrella when it rains
You say you like the sun, but you hide in the shade when the sun is shining brightly
You say you like the wind, but you close the window when the wind blows
That is why I am afraid when you say you like me too
Because you do not even follow "Shangnan Quanjiechu"...
With my lensRecording your brilliance
Scan the QR code above to follow us