A Great Tree & A Very Interesting Conversation

Juniper by Isao Omachi that just appeared on our facebook page. Though you can tell it’s a juniper, no specifics were given except that four of Mr. Omachi’s trees have been accepted in Kokufu-ten (universally recognized as the premier bonsai exhibition in the world). In Isao Omachi’s san’s own words “On January 25th 2010(Kokufu-ten judgement day) I am pleased to inform everyone that my 4 entry’s were accepted into this years 84 show! So I invite anyone who is willing to come see them! Starting on February 9th-17th hope to see you there!” And, in the words of others… The … Continue reading A Great Tree & A Very Interesting Conversation

A Borrowed Bougainvillea Bonsai: Bracts and All

Bougainvillea. Borrowed from Andolfo Bonsai Studio. Two things stand out; the flowers (actually they are bracts, the little white things are the flowers) and the trunk. You might also notice the how small the pot is relative to the tree. If the purpose of this tree is to show off its colors, then you’d have to say it’s a screaming success. But what if you take away the flowers? Is it still a noteworthy bonsai? Or does that even matter? Are flowering bonsai different? In Japan flowering trees are often designed in ways that show off the flowers first and … Continue reading A Borrowed Bougainvillea Bonsai: Bracts and All

Excuse Me While I Wipe the Egg Off My Face

Here’s a little note that I just received from Bill Valavanis I was just looking at your new tool and am wondering something. A few years ago in Japan I got a new tool which looks exactly like yours, but it’s for air layering. It has two sets of parallel blades, I can’t tell if yours has one pair or two. So I was just wondering if yours is actually an air layering tool or bark removal tool. And here’s my somewhat red-in-the-face reply Hi Bill. I think you are on to something and now I feel a little slow … Continue reading Excuse Me While I Wipe the Egg Off My Face

Just Arrived! New Bark Stripping Jin Tool

Here it is, our brand new Bark Stripping Jin Tool. It has two settings, one for thin branches and one for thicker branches, but you can adjust it easily to any size up to almost 2″ (5cm). In the photo below the blades are 1 & 1/2″ (4cm) apart in the center and you can get it to open even more. The overall lenght of the tool is 6 & 5/8″ (approx 17cm). Made in Japan by Koyo tools. It passes with flying colors I just braved the cold and ice and tried mine on three types of branches (oak, … Continue reading Just Arrived! New Bark Stripping Jin Tool

An Unusual California Juniper Gallery by Ernie Kuo

California juniper by Ernie Kuo. This tree was collected by Sam Uyeno in 1985 and later purchased by Mr. Kuo. Height 31″ (79cm). Chinese pot. Photo from Bonsai Today issue 84. A little buzz about Ernie Kuo’s bonsai Ernie Kuo’s trees are impressively dramatic; real eye poppers. Yet, he has his detractors. Some bonsai people find faults in his designs and perhaps his whole approach. If you look closely at the photos, you might pick up on what the criticism is about. Or, you might just be amazed at the power of his trees. For the rest of Ernie’s gallery … Continue reading An Unusual California Juniper Gallery by Ernie Kuo

$100 Contest: The Final Three

This Cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis), submitted by Ken T. (that’s all he wrote) has some promising potential. I like the gnarly knob on the right that makes the tree unique and tells a little story. Still, I can see a few things that might improve it. 1. I think soil line could be just a little higher so the base of the tree has a more anchored feel. Maybe if the soil was up to the bottom of the knob on the right and that little root was covered. Another way of saying this is just to lower the tree … Continue reading $100 Contest: The Final Three

Apex, Canopy, Crown: Whatcha Got?

This Zelkova serrata (sometimes called Greybark elm and sometimes called just Zelkova) is a classic broom style bonsai. Often when you think of broom style, you think of Zelkova (and vise versa). However, neither broom style nor zelkova are what inspired this post (see below). Photo from Bonsai Today issue 26. You asked for it A while back someone asked for some info on designing apices (plural for apex). At the time I promised that we would post something very soon and then proceeded to neglect to do it. So, here’s the beginning of a series on bonsai apices. Better … Continue reading Apex, Canopy, Crown: Whatcha Got?

An Excellent New Book & Big Book Sale

This luminous cover shot gives you a pretty good idea of the quality of A Natural History of Conifers. And quality is just the right word. Quality photos, quality drawings, quality text and an abiding love for trees and nature, coupled with a unique and learned point of view is what I’ve found so far. I look forward to spending more time digging in. Meanwhile, if you like books, our 30% to 40% off book sale ends in two days. Outlive your neighbor and take his property Here are some (but by no means all) of the pieces that make … Continue reading An Excellent New Book & Big Book Sale

There’s Something About Junipers

Shore Juniper (J. procumbens) by master bonsai innovator, Masahiko Kimura. I like this one. It combines the sculptural look that has been favored by some Japanese bonsai artists (especially in the 90s) with a more wild, rugged natural look that is in favor in much of the world bonsai community. Not that bonsai is so simple that it can be divided into two categories; sculptural versus natural. If bonsai is an art, then categories are continually being broken down as artist play, explore and innovate. And no bonsai artist that I know of, has played, explored and innovated more successfully … Continue reading There’s Something About Junipers

Junipers: Don’t Pinch Too Much!

Even if you’re one of those curmudgeons who complains about the overly sculpted look of some Japanese bonsai, you’ve got to admit that this powerhouse Shimpaku approaches perfection. That trunk draws your eye like few trunks anywhere, with its single living vein, mysterious hollow at its base and the spidery fingers and hole at the top. But it’s the tight lush foliage that I want to point out here; the result of some serious trimming and pinching. The photo is from our Juniper book. Artist unknown. A question about pinching on Michael Hagedorn’s site The following is from the Seasonal … Continue reading Junipers: Don’t Pinch Too Much!