Contest #5: Mystery Bonsai

It’s a mystery to me Though I can tell you where I found this tree (not yet though), and I do know the species, I genuinely don’t know who the artist is (he/she doesn’t seem to be listed on the site). So maybe you can help me, and win a twenty five dollar gift certificate to Stone Lantern in the process. Be the first to correctly answer all four of these questions and you’ll be declared the winner 1. the name of the artist 2. the species and sub-species (if applicable) of the tree 3. the height of the tree, … Continue reading Contest #5: Mystery Bonsai

The Great Debate part 3: More from Walter

A naturalistic Norway spruce (Picea abies) by Walter Pall (from Bonsai Today issue 106). This tree was awarded third place overall in the Bonsai Today/Art of Bonsai 2006 photo contest. Walter also won first and second place in the overall category. The Naturalistic Bonsai Movement? In the expanding galaxy of accomplished Western bonsai artists, Walter Pall’s bonsai skills and dedication to teaching and promoting the art of bonsai make him one of the brightest stars. Walter is also one of the most prominent proponents of what could be called the Naturalistic Bonsai Movement (or something like that). In our last … Continue reading The Great Debate part 3: More from Walter

Get Out Your Camera! AoB Awards Coming Up

This Red escallonia (Escallonia rubra ‘Woodside’) by Mike Page is from the Bonsai Today/Art of Bonsai 2006 photo contest. If you are interested, you can find the winning photos in Bonsai Today issue 106. Don’t be shy Stone Lantern and Bonsai Bark are delighted to announce that we one of the sponsors of The Art of Bonsai Project’s annual photo contest. The contest provides an excellent opportunity for you to delve into preparing and photographing your bonsai. Two practices that will open your eyes in ways that may surprise you. Really, don’t be shy and don’t think your trees have … Continue reading Get Out Your Camera! AoB Awards Coming Up

Jin & Shari #4 – Natural Aging

These four stages of natural aging on deadwood are from an article by François Jeker that appeared in Bonsai Today 103 (out of print). Francois is a accomplished bonsai artist (and deadwood master), gardener, author (Bonsai Aesthetics) and more. Stage one A freshly peeled branch or trunk will have completely smooth wood. Stage two Over the years, due to drying in the sun and wind, the wood will split into apical cracks (see below for more on apical growth and cracks). Stage three Much later, cracks that are perpendicular to the apical cracks will appear and form a “snakeskin” pattern. … Continue reading Jin & Shari #4 – Natural Aging

Shape in the Ground & Save Wire

A unique technique The illustrations and photos used here are from an article by Kusida Matsuo that originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 20 (out of print). The unique technique featured is for shaping cuttings taken from seedlings. Though Japanese black pine are used here, the technique should work on any number of species.

Robert Steven: Mission of Transformation

Coming soon Robert Steven’s long awaited new book Mission of Transformation has just pulled out of port for it’s halfway round the world journey from Indonesia to Vermont. We hope to see it pull up to our warehouse sometime in August (no guarantees!). While we (and you) are waiting, we’re offering a pre-order, pre-pay special at $49. (retail $55.), with double discounts during our book sale. Here’s what a few bonsai notables have to say about it: “I am certain bonsai artists from around the globe will find “Mission of Transformation” a valuable addition to their reference library because it … Continue reading Robert Steven: Mission of Transformation

KoB Shohin Willow Leaf Ficus by Robert Kempinski

Robert Kempinski (author of Introduction to Bonsai) has an excellent article at Knowledge of Bonsai on Shohin Willow Leaf Ficus (the photo above was borrowed from the article). Check it and a slew of other good stuff out, including a revealing exposé on nasty (but beautifully photographed) little aphids by Heather Hartman. While you are at it, take a look at two related books we offer: Shohin Bonsai by Morten Albek (Stone Lantern Publishing), and Ficus: The Exotic Bonsai by Jerry Meislik (Devonshire Gardens Ltd.).

Speaking of Pots…

The pots in the post are from another Japanese book that has been in my library for a long time. So long, that I don’t even remember where I got it. Nor do I know who made the pots or basically much of anything about the contents (I don’t read Japanese). If you read Japanese, scroll down and check the text at the bottom of this post and let me know if you can make any sense of it.

Master Potter: Gyozan Nakano

I don’t know who styled this wonderfully crazy azalea (I don’t read Japanese) but I do know that Master Potter Gyozan Nakano made the pot. A remarkable book about a remarkable potter Four years ago I was given a most remarkable book by the World Bonsai Friendship Federation, who received it courtesy of Masahiro Tokuo (President of Kindai Publishing). Since then, it has spent most of its time just sitting on my shelf, though occasionally I thumb through and marvel at the photos (and wish I could read Japanese). The book is about Master Potter Gyozan Nakano and consists mostly … Continue reading Master Potter: Gyozan Nakano

Energy Balancing #7: More Defoliation Tips

Defoliating to move energy down These illustrations show a few very simple points. In both methods we are trying to strengthen the the two weak secondary branches (the first two branches). These need help as energy tends to flow past them towards the tips of the primary branch. This movement of energy towards the outer tips of branches is natural and occurs in virtually all plants.