Haim (Les) Sher, lectures on bonsais to an ESRA group visiting the Rehovot Municipal Farm

ESRA Rehovot sponsored a guided tour of the Rehovot Municipal Farm, known as the “Hava” by the locals. Twenty-two of our members and friends participated.

For many years, most Rehovot schoolchildren, including my own, were bussed in from school once a week to learn about and participate in growing vegetables. Since then the farm has developed into an impressive project under the dedicated and capable hands of the director, Aya Mizrachi.

Schoolchildren, including those who are mentally challenged, autistic and physically handicapped, experience and learn about growing vegetables, house plants, strawberries and herbs. There are several hothouses, including one for bonsai plants, one for house plants and one for out-of-season vegetables, and a fishpond for aquarium fish breeding.

A new project was established in the name of the late Major Shlomi Cohen by his parents, in which the children learn about healthy cooking and baking, using the products from the farm in addition to learning about correct nutrition, hospitality and how to live a healthy lifestyle.

One of the highlights of the morning was a presentation on bonsai plants by Haim (Les) Sheer, an expert in the field, who enlightened us about their origins. He told us that there is evidence from Chinese wall paintings that bonsais were first created in China more than 5000 years ago, and that the bark, leaves, roots and flowers were used for medicinal purposes. The plants became compact in size because they were planted in small barrels, which made them easily transportable for the travelling Chinese medicine man. The idea was subsequently adopted by the Japanese only 500 years ago. Les demonstrated how to select a tree to create a bonsai, and how to choose the proper container for it. He used a snipping from a totem tree (juniper), showed us how to clip the leaves and branches and periodically cut the roots. The legged trays (pots) have holes at the bottom for good drainage and because the light prevents the roots from growing. Les likes to create a scene or landscape appearance by carefully considering where to place the plant on the tray and by putting a small rock next to it.

After the talk, we were invited to a light buffet of soup, pies, salads, fruit and bread―all prepared in Shlomi's kitchen.

Most of our group bought potted house plants or herbs to take home, which were quite inexpensive. We were invited to come back at any time to buy some more and were asked to inform our friends and the public of this opportunity.

The Hava is always looking for new, creative ways to help finance this fine project as they survive on a limited budget.  

Those interested in visiting should contact Aya or Gila at 08 947 4442.