A Radical Approach to Bonsai Soil

This sturdy, barely tamed beast of a tree is a perfect example of Walter Pall’s naturalistic style. The photo is from Walter’s website. The tree is a European spruce. Yesterday we resurrected Walter Pall’s unique hedge pruning method. Today we’re resurrecting (for the second time) his equally unique take on bonsai soil. It originally appeared here on Bark in June of 2013. Walter Pall, world famous bonsai artist and much more… We’ve feature Walter’s bonsai numerous times here on Bark (and in Bonsai Today) and will continue to feature them for as long as we continue posting. I won’t say … Continue reading A Radical Approach to Bonsai Soil

The Art & Science of Watering – Especially in Summer

This drawing is from our Masters’ Series book; Junipers, Growing & Styling Juniper Bonsai (due back in print in November, 2015). This will be the fourth time we’ve featured this post, but it’s summer now so the time is right. The more you know about watering, the better. Without timely, intelligent watering, any plant in a container is at risk. The more you know about watering, the better. BTW: A perfect complement to this post is a post about summer misting (hamisu) by Michael Hagedorn. Photo from Shohin Bonsai by Morten Albek. A good watering wand is a must. … Continue reading The Art & Science of Watering – Especially in Summer

Walter’s Powerful Rough Bark Japanese Maple

This powerful Rough Bark Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Arakawa’) is approximately eighty years old and stands 70cm (almost 28″) high. Walter Pall imported it from Japan this year as semi raw material. Walter has an excellent series of photos on the tree’s transition since he received it. We could devote all of Bonsai Bark to Walter Pall’s trees and seemingly never run out of material. But then, Walter is already doing that with his blog, his website and on facebook, so all we have to do to enjoy his bonsai wizardry, is occasionally touch in. In case you don’t know … Continue reading Walter’s Powerful Rough Bark Japanese Maple

It’s About the Moss, Our Masters Bonsai Soil, and…

A little shaggy and the pot is dirty but it’s about the moss, our Masters Bonsai Soil and a post we did a while back. An important issue came up in a post we did a while back about our Masters Bonsai Soil. The comment that provoked the question was by Andy Rutledge. Here’s what Andy said: Soil particulate size, especially at the surface, is important. These photos, the latter two especially, indicate problems in tree health will arise in the coming growing season. Be careful. In a follow-up comment Andy goes on to say: …particle size necessarily varies due … Continue reading It’s About the Moss, Our Masters Bonsai Soil, and…

Bonsai Wire Sale Ends Tonight

Don’t let yourself run out of Bonsai Wire. It’s a great feeling to have exactly the right wire at hand when you need it. 20% off all Bonsai Wire plus any order of 100.00 or more receives an added 10% off All of our Bonsai Wire is now 20% off of our already low prices. But don’t wait. The sale ends tonight (Friday, May 23rd) at 11:59pm (U.S. EDT). Chose from a whole range of roll sizes, diameters and types of Bonsai Wire. All now 20% plus any order of 100.00 or more recieves another 10% off. Meanwhile, our … Continue reading Bonsai Wire Sale Ends Tonight

Transplanting Bonsai into Our Excellent New Masters Soil

I just repotted this old pine into our new Masters Bonsai Soil. The pot is a growing pot rather than a show pot, but will serve nicely for now (pines like deep pots). The tree is a Japanese white pine that was grafted onto Japanese black pine stock in Japan. I got it from John Jaramillo last year when I was in Portland studying with Michael Hagedorn. Michael was kind enough to wire it for me. Our new Masters Bonsai Soil is now 20% off, so this seems like a good time to mention that I am in the process … Continue reading Transplanting Bonsai into Our Excellent New Masters Soil

The Art & Science of Watering

This drawing is from our Masters’ Series book; Junipers, Growing & Styling Juniper Bonsai. Our last couple posts have been about soil, so maybe it’s time to talk about watering. This will be the third time we’ve featured this post, but the time is right once again and, as it turns out, I’m on the road once again. A good time to dig into our archives. The more you know about watering, the better. Without timely, intelligent watering, any plant in a container is at risk. The more you know about watering, the better. BTW: A perfect complement to … Continue reading The Art & Science of Watering

Fear of Water & Kokufu Too

After Michael Hagedorn’s expert touch (the before photo is below). This photo is from Michael’s latest post which is about his trip to Japan to visit his teacher and the famous Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition. I’ve taken the liberty of combining pieces from three of Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai posts: His two latest posts from his recent visit to Japan and an an older post about Turface and Bonsai Soil. One of the many positives about visiting Crataegus Bonsai is that I always learn something. There’s more than just learning for sure, including great trees, Michael’s personable easy-to-read writing style and … Continue reading Fear of Water & Kokufu Too

Modern Masters Bonsai Soil

This Hawthorn in bloom is from Walter Pall’s Bonsai Adventures, as is the article below. The rest of the photos in this post are from Walter’s online gallery. It’s about the soil. This post originally appeared here on Bark June last year. We’re revisiting it because it’s about soil and because we’re about soil, at least for the moment (see our new Masters Bonsai Soil at Stone Lantern). Walter Pall, world famous bonsai artist and much more… We’ve feature Walter’s bonsai numerous times here on Bark (and in Bonsai Today) and will continue to feature them for as long as … Continue reading Modern Masters Bonsai Soil