Change Your Plans

Sometimes it’s helpful to break a bonsai down into its constituent parts. What you might see in this case, is a somewhat classical root-over-rock Trident maple bonsai accentuated by two rather long, undulating branches on either side. For some of us, there might be a temptation to cut them off; to revert to something safer and more recognizable as bonsai. Don’t do it! The photo is from the National Bonsai Foundation’s 2013 calendar. Mr. California Juniper at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. The event is the annual Potomac Bonsai Festival which happens to be coming up this weekend (May … Continue reading Change Your Plans

Eccentric Bonsai #5: Harry Hirao at the NB&PM

This radically eccentric California juniper was donated to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum by Harry Hirao (Mr. California Juniper). It is only a small part of a wonderful collection of world class bonsai that you’ll find at the Museum. A visit every bonsai enthusiast (especially those of us in north America) would do well to consider. Did Harry play a practical joke? The taper is all wrong and the trunk forms a crazy upside down U shape. Did Harry play a practical joke on the National Museum? Or, I am pulling your leg?

If You Only Visit One Bonsai Convention This Year…

…you could do a lot worse than this one It’s worth the trip, even if you don’t live in (or near) southern California. For more information visit the Golden State Bonsai Federation website. Pioneer state California, perhaps more than anywhere else outside of Asia (no offense meant to anyone or anywhere else) has been out front in developing the art of bonsai. No doubt a number of factors are responsible, not the least of which is a strong Japanese American community and a growing season that lasts almost forever, with enough sun and heat in one year to last us … Continue reading If You Only Visit One Bonsai Convention This Year…

Contest #4: Winner, Answer, Link & More

Here’s another shot of the man and the tree. Both are very impressive in their own way, though neither provided much mystery, at least for those of you who responded. BTW: here’s where we borrowed this photo and the photo that appears in contest #4. The winner… … is John Callaway. John wasn’t the only one to get it right, but he was the first one to get it right. The man… …is Mr. California Juniper, Harry Hirao. The tree… …is (appropriately) a California juniper. The botanical name is Juniperus californica. And the source… …is Kofu Review; Kofu Bonsai Kai. … Continue reading Contest #4: Winner, Answer, Link & More