MULATO BONSAI
About me
My name is Hector "Mulato" Melendez. In 2020 I founded my own company by the name of Mulato Bonsai, leaving behind my information system jobs. I live in the tropical island of Puerto Rico, where it feels like summer all year around. This climate helps me work with bonsai even in winter. My family is part of my business, since they are my support for everything I do in Mulato Bonsai. I am married to a wonderfull wife and we are blessed to have two beautiful boys. My specialty in bonsai are tropical species. Puerto Rico may be a small island but here we have lots of beaches and rivers with beautiful stones, very similar to the ones in Japan, making me want to search for stones once a month. I love to show my work in social networks. I hope that you like my web page, and the services and products I have to offer.
Bonsai
The styles I like the best for creating bonsai are Japanese. My favorite bonsai styles are literati, cascade and semi-cascade. I use lots of wire for designing my trees. My favorite species is Neea buxifolia, that is endemic from our island.
Suiseki
The art of beautiful stones created by nature. Little is known about this incredible art from Japan. I am glad to say that have passion for them. I have been creating suiseki since 2018. I have learned about this art very fast. I don't have a favorite style. I love the stones as long as they look beautiful.
Education
2025 - 1st year at "Italian Bonsai Dream" Bonsai School with Master Bonsai Artist Mr. Mauro Stemberger
2024 - Bonsai workshop with Master Bonsai Artist Koji Hiramatsu.
2021 - Suiseki and Kiribako three days workshop with Master Bonsai and Suiseki Artist Mr. Sean Smith.
2016 - Bonsai Dead Wood four days workshop with Master Bonsai Artist José "Rasta" Rodriguez.
Achievements
2024 - 3rd Place Best Literati Bonsai Award, with a Neea buxifolia species at Shohin Bonsai Weekend 3, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
2023 - 1st Place Best Kifu Bonsai Award, with a Juniper procumbens 'nana' species at the Tropical Bonsai Symposium, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
2022 - 3rd Place Best Composition Award, with a five Suiseki display composition, at the Shohin Bonsai Weekend 2, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
2015 - Junipers and Pines workshop with Master Bonsai Artist Mr. Juan Andrade.