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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
