Before & After (x2) with Crazy

After. The pot got chopped in this photo, but beggars can’t be cheesy. Way back on November 2nd, 2015, we did a post on an old Hatanaka/Levin Prostrata juniper, titled An American Classic (it’s worth a trip back in time). Now we’ve got two more Hatanaka/Levin Prostrata bonsai. Both freshly thinned and wired by Uchida yusuki, aka Crazy; the same Crazy that trinned and wired the American Classic. BTW, both of the trees here look as though Shimpaku foliage has been grafted on, to replace the coarser Prostrata foliage. Before. The same tree (the one at the top of the post) … Continue reading Before & After (x2) with Crazy

Wiring Tips: Take It All Off (but not too early)

White pine bunjin wired at Taisho en. From ‘The Art of Bonsai.’ Take it all off (but not too early) The following article by John Romano takes on a bit of conventional wisdom about wire scarring. The article originally appeared on the New England Bonsai blog, ‘The Art of Bonsai.’ In John’s own words… “Wiring is an essential technique to create beautiful bonsai. It is not the only means (as some practice the Lignan method of cut and grow) but it is the most efficient way to shape a tree; to open up foliage to let light in; to move … Continue reading Wiring Tips: Take It All Off (but not too early)