Jack Wikle’s contributions to the ever-increasing community of bonsai artists in the United States are beyond measure. His modesty about the scope of these endeavors is equally impressive.
He has been speaker and exhibitor at a number of national-level events. In addition, he has taught classes regularly, conducted bonsai workshops, done hundreds of in-person presentations and written dozens of articles on bonsai subjects.
Jack served as Program Chairman for two of the American Bonsai Society’s Annual Learning Seminars in the 1980’s. Subsequently, he edited the ABS Quarterly Journal for four years, 1988 through 1991.
At this writing, Jack is the longest active member of the Ann Arbor Bonsai Society. He has been repeatedly recognized for his early and ongoing contributions to that organization.
Within the bonsai world, Jack is probably best known for his pioneering efforts, beginning in 1976, in growing very small bonsai indoors, relying completely on cool white fluorescent light. Currently, he has some trees grown 40 years under fluorescent light with no outdoor vacations and no periods of dormancy. His articles on indoor growing under fluorescent light have been published and republished in the United State and several other countries.
Finally, there are the countless one-on-one “collaborative interactions” between Jack and individuals seeking his help and wanting to learn. These interactions typically, involved two people learning together as bonsai artists. Jack’s assessment of these sessions, “Our trees were helping us grow.”