Monthly Archives: June 2009

Vacation Gallery: Enjoy, I’ll Be Back July 2nd

This Trident maple penjing was designed by Quingquan Zhao in 2001 at the Mid Atlantic Bonsai show.  It was purchased by Dr. McNear and given to National Bonsai Foundation in honor of his daughter Emily Jane McNear. It reside at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington DC. Share

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Pests #2: Controlling Scale by Michael Hagedorn

These little critters with their protective helmet-like shields are just one variety of the approximately 8,000 species of scale. Though not all are harmful to your bonsai, the ones that are, need to be taken seriously. Here’s what Michael Hagedorn has to say about scale They’re here again…scale are emerging from their eggs underneath their [...]

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360° Bonsai Down Under

You can view this striking Satsuki azalea by Si Van Nguyen in all its glory from all 360° on ausbonsai.com. Recently Steve Hantos alerted me to a great feature on ausbonsai.com. All you have to do is go there, drag your cursor over the image, and viola! you’ve got 360° bonsai. Here’s a cascade juniper [...]

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The Great Debate part 2: You Be the Judge

This Scot’s pine (Pinus sylvestris) by Walter Pall is from the cover of Bonsai Today issue 104. It was presented by Walter as an example of a naturalistic bonsai. “… too many of these bonsai look like they are made of plastic…” The whole quote, which was written by Walter Pall, and appears in Bonsai [...]

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Green Workshop: A Simple Wiring Video

If you’re new to bonsai and want to get started using wire, this video by Lindasy Farr of Bonsai Farm (on YouTube) offers a simple, clear lesson. Share

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Energy Balancing #5: Defoliation

This Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) has been partially defoliated. The first branch is too small relative to the rest of the tree, so the purpose of the defoliation is to speed up the development of the first branch while slowing down the development of the rest of the tree. This works because energy flow decreases [...]

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The Great Debate: Naturalistic vs Abstract?

This Rough bark shore juniper is by Boon Manakitipivart. It originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 108. Though it certainly has a rugged, natural feel, does it also have some features (aside from the pot) that are more characteristic of bonsai than of trees growing in the wild? Is there a clear distinction? Back two [...]

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Just Arrived: New Tools from Japan

Old favorites back in stock Over at Stone Lantern, tools that some of you have been waiting for are back in stock; including my favorite, these sword shears. I do a lot of bonsai field growing as well as landscaping and keep mine close at hand to make quick work of of 10,000 little jobs. [...]

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Jin & Shari #3: Power Carving Tools

A power rotary tool (Dremel brand) with a steel wire brush attachment in the skilled hands of François Jeker. From Bonsai Today issue 104 (out of print). The use of carving tools in bonsai In bonsai carving tools are used to create new deadwoood and enhance existing deadwood. There was a day not too long [...]

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Back Yard Bonsai Displays #4: A Japanese Touch

This shot doesn’t exactly show off François Jeker’s bonsai (if you squint you can see them way in the back), but it does give you a pretty good idea of his artistry when it comes to building and maintaining a Japanese garden. Speaking of François Jeker Though François Jeker is well known for his masterful [...]

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