We’re pleased to announce the launch of the new Eastern Leaf Tea Pavilion. At the request of our customers, we’ve introduced our new line of authentic traditional loose leaf teas. We’ve hand selected only the finest teas from green teas, black teas, white teas, and oolong teas.

We’re always on the lookout for interesting and exquisite tea varieties. We’ll be adding new teas constantly and share with you the new tea discoveries we find. Thanks for reading!

In addition to our online store, we’ll be transforming our showroom into a tea tasting room. If you’ve got some time or if you’re in the area to try some new tea varieties. We invite you stop by.

Jason Chan
Founder, Eastern Leaf

If your bonsai tree is becoming too big for the current pot, it is time to repot your tree! Repotting will help prevent your plant from becoming root bound. When the roots of the bonsai tree fill the pot entirely and the lengthy roots of bonsai are circling the inside of the pot it is a good indication that your bonsai will need to be repotted. Repotting should occur early spring. As the temperature slowly rise in early spring, the bonsai will become active and wake up from their dormancy period. By repotting in the early spring, your bonsai will better adapt to the new pot. The following are some simple tidbits you should consider when repotting your bonsai tree:

(1) When removing your bonsai tree from the pot, carefully lift the tree out and slowly tilt the tree to one side and loosen up the base of the trunk. If the trunk is too hard to pull out gently tap the pot with your hands and loosen the rootball through the drainage hole. Once you have separated the pot from the bonsai thoroughly examine the root ball of the tree. If the roots are crowding around the base of the pot and/or the water takes too long to drain out through the drainage hole, you need to repot your bonsai.

(2) To detangle the roots, shake off about one half of the original soil and use your bonsai rake to comb out the tangled roots. Do not tug on the roots of the tree as it may damage some of the main roots. After you untangle the roots of your bonsai, lightly spray the roots with water. Prune a small portion of the outer brown roots and the thinner roots. When pruning the roots try not to cut too many of the “feeder roots” off. The spacing of the bonsai should be about 1-2cm between the pots edge and the plant.

(3) Covering the drainage holes with some wire mesh is a good idea to prevent the excessive loss of soil. To prevent the mess from moving, use any wire to anchor the mesh down. Add a slightly light layer of gravel
to aid the drainage and a layer of soil.

Once you have repotted your bonsai tree, you can begin to shape and decorate!

What are Bonsai Tools?

Bonsai tools are specialized tools to care for and cultivate the Bonsai trees. These Bonsai tools are used to trim, shape, and care for the Bonsai Trees. The Bonsai tools are used to prune, bend, trim, and maintain the Bonsai Tree. There is an abundance of Bonsai tools that range in quality from beginner use to professional grade. Bonsai tools include shears, cutters, root and wire cutters, training wire, rakes, and branch benders. Below is a list of the most common types of Bonsai tools used.

Types of Bonsai Tool:
Bonsai Tool Cutters-

Concave Cutter-This is the one of the most common and important Bonsai tool since it is designed to remove or crop the branches or roots without leaving a stub. It also causes less damage to the Bonsai Tree, allowing the wound to heal faster.

Spherical Knob Cutter-This cutter is designed for deep, clean cuts close to the trunk of the Bonsai Tree.

Root Cutter-This Bonsai tool is similar to the Concave cutter, but it is designed for pruning roots during transportation or repotting of the Bonsai Tree.

Bonsai Tool Shears:

Butterfly Shear- It’s called a “Butterfly” shear because the handle is shaped like a Butterfly. Many people consider this shear the most famous Bonsai tool because of its powerful spread angle handle and ease of use due to having very large handle space for your fingers.

Twig Shear- This shear is very similar to the Butterfly shear, except it is much more slender towards the blades so it is easier to trim and prune deeper in the Bonsai Tree.

Azalea or Satsuki Shear-This shear is much smaller than the Twig or Butterfly shear as it is used for the finer pruning and trimming finishes of the Bonsai Tree.
Other Bonsai Tools:

Bonsai Root Hook-This is a Bonsai tool used during potting or repotting of the Bonsai Tree. It is very efficient at loosening the soil as well as separating the branches and roots in order to pot/repot the Bonsai Tree.

Bonsai Rake-The rake along with the Root Hook are very useful Bonsai tools in moving the soil and roots in potting and repotting of the Bonsai Tree.

Bonsai Branch Bender/Bonsai Jack-This Bonsai tool is used to add more bend or sway branches or trunks in the Bonsai Tree.

Training Wire-This is used to bind branches and roots so they would grow in a certain manner and a give the Bonsai Tree its own distinct look.

Wire Cutter-This Bonsai tool is a regular wire cutter, except the head of the cutter is round, this allows the wires to be cut clean, while leaving no marks or damage on the branches or roots of the Bonsai Tree.

Grafting Knife-This knife is used to prune and make the final small precision trims of the Bonsai Tree.

Pruning saw and Locking Blade-The pruning saw and locking blade is simply a small hand-sized saw to prune and saw off any small branches that you want to trim off inside the Bonsai Tree.

Hemp Broom-This Bonsai tool allows you to quickly clean up after you prune. It is also used for maintaining the trunk and grounds of the plant.

If you don’t consider yourself a tea drinker, now may be a good time to start. Tea is a popular beverage amongst culture. In fact, throughout history tea has also been proven to be used as medicine and has been the second most popular beverage in the world! (Second to water that is!). There are millions of different tea types all around the world. The four most common tea types include:

1) Green Tea – Green tea is the most popular non-fermented tea amongst all of the teas. It is highly consumed and grown in both China and Japan. With an increase in popularity worldwide, green tea has hundreds of varieties for you to explore with your taste buds!

2) Black Tea - Black tea is the most commonly consumed and processed tea worldwide. This tea is 100% fermented tea and has the most caffeine of the four types of teas. The leaf of this particular tea fully absorbs the oxygen from the air. This absorption provides the tea with the distinctive black color and taste.

3) White Tea – White tea is a relatively rare tea. This particular tea is powerful but delicate of all the different types of teas. The tea has a fruity taste and is harvested before the buds of the leaves fully open.

4) Oolong Tea – Oolong tea is also called “wu long” tea. This semi-fermented tea requires precise processing. Studies of this particular tea show that it can help folk’s loose pounds and the aging of the skin!

Drinking a cup of herbal tea a few times a day can help you maintain a healthy body.

Looking for a greener and safer way to enjoy a fragrance in your environment? Look no further! Reed diffusers are a great way to create beautiful aromas in any environment. Since reed diffusers do not require flames to trigger the smell, they are a safer and eco-friendly alternative to candles that emit petroleum and paraffin. Most reed diffusers will last about two to three months. Good reed diffusers on average will constantly emit the scent into the environment.  Reed diffusers are simple and reusable and can suit any décor! They can seamlessly be incorporated into any environment and personalized to your liking.

The benefits of reed diffusers are endless! Most commonly, reed diffusers are used for meditation. Many meditation techniques involve the combined benefits of aromatherapy and the simplicity of focused meditation. This powerful combination can create an opportunity to relax and clear your mind. Our brain response to aromas trigger chemical actions within the body that releases endorphins and serotonin that help create a feeling of well-bring and reduction of pain. Finding your chi through the sense of smell and meditation can be a rewarding benefit in the end!

Soy candles are made from soy wax. The best part about soy candles is how clean they burn. Soy candles produce minimal smoke and black spots. Soy candles are a new alternative to paraffin wax. Made from a renewable source, soy candles release minimal amounts of smoke. Compared to the paraffin candles the soy wax burns at a cooler temperature. The cooler temperature allows for the burning time of the soy candles to last about a third long than the paraffin wax candles. With the long burning time and clean burn, soy candles can be a cheaper and eco-friendly alternative in the long run. So remember, the next time you are looking to buy a candle think about the benefits soy candles have to offer for your health and the environment!

What is a bonsai? The word ‘bonsai’ originated from China and gradually spread throughout Asia. Bonsai signifies a tree gown in a small container. The tree is usually made to look like a mature tree. There are different techniques that are used to manipulate the growth pattern of these miniature trees. These techniques include pruning, and wire training. The manipulation of the tree provides the bonsai with a distinctive characteristic that increases the value and beauty at it matures over the years. There are several distinctive styles bonsai enthusiasts try to convey in their bonsai trees. The three most commonly found bonsai styles include the following:

1) Upright Style- There is a clear distinction between the front and back face of the tree. The trunk serves as the main axis for the style of the bonsai tree. This style serves as the most popular style for bonsai beginners. The leaves and branches of the bonsai are trained to grow upright at an angle.

2) Slanting Style (Shakan)- The trunk of this style is slanted at an angle. The slanted angle of the tree may look as though the tree was blown sideways by a gust of strong wind. Branches of this style are horizontal and are slightly drooping.

3) Cascade Style (Kengai)- Most commonly found amongst Junipers and Pine bonsai trees. The Cascade style is one of the most easily recognized styles of bonsais. The growth of the tree is downwards. Inspired by trees growing out from cliffs, the trunk of the tree dips below the bottom of the pot. Anyone who is looking to train their bonsai will find it useful to use these distinctive styles as starting points for developing the characteristic of their bonsai tree.

During winter, certain species of bonsai trees  (Chinese Elms and Other Specialty Trees) will lose their leaves. Some bonsai beginners may feel as though their bonsai trees are dying. Fortunately, many bonsai trees are hardy and can sprout new leaves quite easily if they are tricked into thinking it is still spring.

You will need to create a greenhouse atmosphere during the day to keep the tree extremely warm, above 85 degrees F. This can be done with a glass dome or tabletop greenhouses. However, ensure that the tree gets ventilation. Using a humidity tray will also allow the water to evaporate and create a humid environment as well. At night, ensure that the tree does not get below 50 degrees F.

Keeping your tree in these conditions will ensure that your tree will continue to flourish and sprout new buds.  If the tree is left in a cold environment, the tree will naturally take its course and become dormant until springtime.

Lucky Bamboo is a very hardy plant. If the roots of your bamboo look overcrowded or dense with long roots, it is time for a bamboo haircut! To give your bamboo the proper trimming, follow these three easy steps:

Step 1: Gently remove the lucky bamboo from the water and rocks. Give the bamboo a good rinse of water.

Step 2: Once the bamboo has been cleaned, with the use of a sharp clean scissor or garden shears you want to trim the roots of the bamboo. The trim should be no more than 1/3 of the length from the ends of the roots.

Step 3: After you have cut the roots of the bamboo, return the lucky bamboos back into the cleaned vase and secure in place with your rocks/marbles. Fill up the vase with a fresh batch of filtered water.

Myth! Lucky Bamboo are not the real bamboo Pandas eat. Surprisingly the common household lucky bamboo (a.k.a Dracaena Sanderia) is a member of the water lilly family.

Although Lucky Bamboo is not part of the diet of the Giant Panda, Pandas eat about twenty-five different species of bamboo. These species of bamboos include the sword bamboo and umbrella bamboo. The most common type of bamboo that Pandas eat is called ‘Grass bamboo’. Grass Bamboo is mainly found high in the mountains of western China.

Since bamboo is the main dietary food of the Panda, they need to eat about 40 to 84 lbs a day to meet their energy needs! Spending about 12 hours each day eating bamboo! The consumption of bamboos make up for 99% of the Panda’s diet.