Bonsai on a Man Made Rock from Scratch

Before and after planting on a man made ‘rock’ by Marc Noelanders. No mention is made of the type tree or what the rock is made of. Still, the result is impressive and the photographic progression with the shaping of the rock is an added plus We’ve shown a number of bonsai on synthetic rocks over the years. Mostly by Kimura, a pioneer in this medium (and other bonsai media as well). But this time it’s Marc Noelanders, a Western bonsai pioneer. What you often see with this type planting is the finished product, but this time we get a peek into … Continue reading Bonsai on a Man Made Rock from Scratch

$100 Bonsai Art Contest: Enter & Win!

Disembodied shoulder, arm, hand and bonsai by Frank Kelly of the Canberra Bonsai Society. Our Bonsai Art Contest is off to good start! Enter and win! Send us your bonsai drawing or painting or photo of a bonsai sculpture (or…?) and you just might win. Prizes First prize is a $60 gift certificate to Stone Lantern. Second prize $30 gift certificate. Third prize $10 gift certificate. Rules The contest will be closed when we have at least ten entrants (if entries are still coming in when we receive 10, we may keep it open a little longer). The drawing (or … Continue reading $100 Bonsai Art Contest: Enter & Win!

We Have a Winner!

Ferry Freriks’ stout-trunked little Honeysuckle takes the grand prize in a down to the wire contest for a $100 gift certificate from Stone Lantern. Congrats Ferry! Oh so close Altogether 41 people (including me) submitted their choices. The total count for the first three finishers (see below for photos of the other two) were: Ferry’s Honeysuckle 84. John Romano’s Erodium 80. Brian and Jill’s (no last name) Serissa 80. Next time When I started this contest it didn’t occur that it would be so close. Next time I’ll divide the prize among the first three finishers. Meanwhile, John and Brian … Continue reading We Have a Winner!

You Be the Judge: Only Two More Days

Vote Now and Get a Free $5.00 Gift Certificate It’s so easy, but don’t wait, tomorrow (Sunday Feb 7) is your last day to vote. (For how to vote, check our post entitled You Be the Judge (& We’ll Grease Your Palm) from Feb 2nd. And BTW We’ve got a Site Wide Sale (10% to 40% off everything) over on Stone Lantern.

You Be the Judge (& We’ll Grease Your Palm)

Judge our $100 Unique Bonsai Contest and receive a $5.00 gift certificate Become a bonsai judge and receive a $5.00 gift certificate to Stone Lantern. The basics The 11 bonsai below (placed roughly in the order we received them) have been entered in our $100 Unique Bonsai Contest. The winner will be determined when 25 judges have sent in their decisions, or by March 31st (whichever comes first). Anyone can judge (see below if you entered a bonsai in the contest), but only one time per person.

$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