Bonsai now comes with a label

Bonsai, the art invented by Indians and preserved by the Japanese, now comes as a branded product to India.

Bangalore-based Bonsai master Bonsai Srinivas launched a collection of branded bonsai plants 'Signature Bonsai', bearing his signature, in association with the US-based The Gabriel Management Group (TGMG) on Friday.

Signature Bonsai is a collection of five-year-old plants of some 50-60 species. The collection consists of two varieties. Standard Collection consists of plants, that can be in the same container for over 15 years, cost Rs 500 each, while plants in the Starter Collection costing Rs 300 need to be shifted to other container in three years. Srinivas plans to add fruit trees also to his Signature Bonsai.

Each Signature Bonsai will bear his signature on the ceramic container that supports the miniature tree. The branded bonsai plants will also come with an Authenticity Card which contains tips on maintenance and nurturing.

Srinivas had recently gifted his collection of over 700 bonsai plants to Lalbagh Gardens. The idea of branded bonsai plants came with the recent acquisition of his Bonsai Garden India Pvt Ltd., a company he founded in 1972, by TGMG. TGMG will now market the Signature Bonsai in India and US.

S K Gutgutia of Florance Flora "" one of the largest importers and exporters of exotic branded flowers "" will be the distributor for the Signature Bonsai in India.

Srinivas will continue as president of the firm with his daughter Shantala Srinivas as the CEO. Shantala Srinivas has been Srinivas' protege and has been training to become a bonsai master.