Contest: Okay, time for two hints (& a time limit)

Upon reflection regarding our latest contest (Mystery Tree), I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s unrealistic to expect you to read my mind. So, here’s a somewhat foggy hint: It’s not a conifer. As far as the other part goes (who’s tree is it?): I believe the tree belongs to someone who lives near some houseboats. If no one comes up with correct answers to both question , then the first person to answer one of the two questions correctly wins. The contest will end at midnight Friday June 5th, 2009.

Energy Balancing #2 – Cascade Bonsai

It’s good to think in terms of zones when discussing energy balancing. Especially with cascade bonsai, which present unique challenges. The illustrations in this post are all from our Masters’ Series Pine book (Growing and Styling Japanese Black and White Pines). Think zones All trees have strong, medium and weak zones. Because most trees are apically dominant (most of the energy flows up to the apex), the top is usually the strongest zone. Exceptions are low growing and spreading shrubs and some small trees. Energy balancing is critical with cascades It can be difficult to maintain the all important lower … Continue reading Energy Balancing #2 – Cascade Bonsai

Contest #3: Mystery Tree

Imperfections aside, I still believe this is a remarkable bonsai. This brings us to the first question: Why do I believe that this is a remarkable tree (you’ll have to read my mind on this one)… …and, question two: Whose bonsai is it? The first person who provides the correct answer to both questions will win a $25.00 gift certificate to Stone Lantern.

Green Workshop: Feed Your Bonsai! – Pellets

Your bonsai may never look like this, but they can be this healthy. This magnificently robust Willow leaf ficus (Ficus nerifolia) is by Jim Smith of Dura-Stone in Vero Beach Florida. The photo is from Bonsai Today, issue 61 and was taken by Jim. Your bonsai depend on you Bonsai do not survive on water, light, and love alone. Because most bonsai soil has very low nutritive value (if any), your bonsai depends on you for feeding.

1st U.S. National Exhibition Album Has Arrived

Double Discount through Sunday on this remarkable new book Order now and save $26.50. In addition to our pre-order sale for $55.00 (ends midnight Sunday), we are running a 30% discount on books, which puts your price at $38.50 if you order now. For more new bonsai books, keep reading.

Field Growing #7: Clip & Grow Technique

These simple illustrations of the clip and grow technique are from a website called The Bonsai Primer. The left image shows the first cut, the next one shows the second cut, and so forth. If you go to the comments in our previous field growing post, Brian Van Fleet gives an excellent description of exactly what these illustrations are all about. Most large Trident maples (and some other deciduous trees) are started in the field and developed using the clip and grow technique. The result is usually a heavy trunked tree with gentle curves, often in a more or less … Continue reading Field Growing #7: Clip & Grow Technique

Mission of Transformation by Robert Steven

Robert Steven wiring a very large raft style Pemphis acidula (no common name?). One of many remarkably daring and powerful bonsai that appear in his first book, Vision of My Soul. Robert Steven is one of the most inspiring bonsai artists and bonsai technicians in the world. His artistic vision and his trees exist on the cutting edge of contemporary bonsai. Many of Robert’s remarkable trees are pictured in his ground breaking book, Vision of My Soul, which was published in 2005. But neither time nor Robert have been standing still, and this summer, you’ll be able to enjoy a … Continue reading Mission of Transformation by Robert Steven

Winner: Nature’s Bonsai – Photo by John Palmer

This photo was taken by John Palmer, who is the founder (now retired) of Stone Lantern and Bonsai Today magazine. John and his wife Pat live in New Mexico and spend big hunks of their bountiful time wandering and photographing the glorious Southwest. Our apologies to John for not attributing his photo when we first posted it. To do so might have made the contest moot. So, without further ado; the winner is (drum roll): Glenn Strong, who wrote: I’ll give it a try. I think it is in Canyonlands National Park, near Mesa Arch, looking SE. Not a bad … Continue reading Winner: Nature’s Bonsai – Photo by John Palmer

Field Growing #6: What’s with S Shaped Curves?

A pretty impressive bonsai with a modified S shape. It’s a Miyajima Japanese-Five Needle Pine (also called Japanese white pine – Pinus parviflora ‘Miyajima’) that was field grown for several years. The artist/owner is Ken Buell. The photo is from the 1st U. S. National Bonsai Exhibition Album. Here’s the text of an email I received from Eric Killian… I think bonsai bark has a lot of potential, but I’d love to see more on field growing. I have about 30-40 trees in the ground now but ground growing is completely new to me. Should I be giving trucks shape … Continue reading Field Growing #6: What’s with S Shaped Curves?

Green Workshop: The Art & Science of Watering

This drawing is from our Masters’ Series book; Junipers, Growing & Styling Juniper Bonsai. What is Green Workshop? Green Workshop is a series for beginners and others who are interested in some of the basics of bonsai care and training. Green Workshop originated in Bonsai Today magazine and will be continued with regular postings on this blog. The more you know about watering, the better. Without timely, intelligent watering, any plant in a container is at risk. The more you know about watering, the better.