Flowering Bonsai #3

I’m not sure what this is and I apologize for the somewhat blurry image. Beyond that, it’s another example of a flowering bonsai that is designed to show off its flowers rather than its bonsai chops. In fact, without its flowers, it’s quite conventional with its commercial spiral S shape and funky nebari. I got it from the April page on our 2010 bonsai calendar. Aha! A little better. This satsuki azalea holds its own as a bonsai, with or without flowers (though the power of the ‘with’ is hard to deny). I borrowed the image from Classic Bonsai of … Continue reading Flowering Bonsai #3

More Flowering Bonsai

An informal upright English hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) from the cover of Bonsai Today issue 36 (only two copies available). When it comes to flowering trees, Japanese bonsai artists (and many others) often look at how the design of the tree shows off the flowers, rather than looking for how the tree conforms to classical bonsai styles. In other words, this tree, without it showy display of flowers is nothing special. With its flowers though, it lights up and becomes a thing of great beauty. This flowering azalea would stand as an excellent bonsai even without its flowers. With it showy … Continue reading More Flowering Bonsai

River Critiques: We Have Two Winners!

Way back on April 4th, we asked our readers to critique this planting (from Saikei and Art). Now, we have two winners. First place ($25 gift certificate to Stone Lantern): Donna Lynn. Second place ($15 gift certificate): Zack Clayton. (winners can contact wayne@stonelanten.com to find out how to get your prizes). Why we picked these two Lew’s charming planting is both compelling and flawed. For the contest, it’s the planting’s overly symmetrical nature that caught my attention (the two forests are almost exactly equal in mass; this contributes to a somewhat static rather than a more dynamic feel), so I … Continue reading River Critiques: We Have Two Winners!

Flowering Bonsai

This wildly colorful Satsuki Azalea is from a Flowering Bonsai Gallery in Bonsai Today issue 65. If you take a close look at the flowers, you’ll see that there are a number of different shades and patterns. Mother nature needed a little help from her friends to accomplish this kind of striking variation. For the best information on Satsuki Azaleas in print, check out Robert Callaham’s Satsuki Azaleas for Bonsai and Azalea Enthusiasts. Speaking of Bonsai Today We have finally decided to put up parts of our out-of-stock and now rare Bonsai Today collection of older long gone issues (except … Continue reading Flowering Bonsai

America’s Oldest Bonsai Collection

Two trees from one at The Larz Anderson Collection. I borrowed this image (and the others in this post) from Colin Lewis’ Bonsai Art website in the Larz Anderson section. Here’s what Colin (The Curator of the Collection) has to say about this photo: Known as “Mother and daughter,” these two trees were originally one, until a lower branch, with its own set of roots, became separated from the main trunk in 1969. In Colin’s own words “The Larz Anderson Collection at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University in Boston is the oldest collection of bonsai in the United States. … Continue reading America’s Oldest Bonsai Collection

Prune or Wire? How About Both?

This wavy image is from Bonsai Today issue 21. The instructions are geared for beginning bonsai enthusiasts. Pruning You can grow decent bonsai without wiring. However, I know of no bonsai that doesn’t require some pruning. If just pruning without wiring works to achieve a desirable effect, then just prune. Trunks and branches that grow without wiring tend to look more natural (as you might expect). Wiring Not all trunks and branches that grow on their own look good. In the top drawing above, the branches are too straight and uninteresting, so wiring is appropriate. Most bonsai artist use wire. … Continue reading Prune or Wire? How About Both?

A Simple & Instructive Little Quiz, Part 2

My way or the highway? Here it is and don’t blame me. Who you should blame is unknown; Bonsai Today issue 21 doesn’t provide the artist’s name. Should’ve or could’ve? On April 16th we posted a little quiz from Bonsai Today issue 21. Several of you took the challenge (see comments). Now we are posting the artist’s answers. One could take issue with the ‘should have’ language (the problem may have been in the translation). Still, whatever your thoughts on the language, you can bet that the original artist had a pretty good handle on the art of pruning (see … Continue reading A Simple & Instructive Little Quiz, Part 2

Bon-Tat #2: Over the Top?

A little over the top? Cool body art? Gross? Interesting? Not? Whatever you or I might think, tattoos are everywhere (you know) these days. BTW: I enjoy good body art (on someone else’s body) but I’m not sure about this one (it’s not even a bonsai, but close enough) which turned up on my facebook home page. Are you ready? Exactly one year ago today, we featured our first bon-tat post (I like that one). Auspiciously (suspiciously?) this one just popped up on facebook. Are you ready for yours? When you are and you do it, please send us a … Continue reading Bon-Tat #2: Over the Top?

Vacation Blues: One Week Behind

A very temporary condition We are currently short staffed and are running at least one week behind. We expect to be all caught up by in about ten days (the two people who are out enjoying themselves will be back then). Don’t wait! We are still accepting orders As we catch up all orders will be processed on a first come first serve basis (they always are anyway). So don’t wait. Order now so you’ll be near the front of the line. Thank you for your patience and understanding Respectfully yours, Wayne Specials Books, Kenzans (flower pins) and back issues … Continue reading Vacation Blues: One Week Behind

CBS Bonsai Segment: “If You Do It Right”

Last Sunday CBS ran a segment on bonsai. It was shot in two places: The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington DC and at Felix Laughlin’s farm in Virginia (three days ago we featured photos by Felix from his recent trip to Japan). “If you do it right… …it will always look better the next year.” This happy truth was uttered by Felix Laughlin (President of the National Bonsai Foundation). You can find this here and a range of other statements (most geared to beginners) and some excellent footage of some great trees (way beyond beginners) and more at … Continue reading CBS Bonsai Segment: “If You Do It Right”