Rough & Rugged Old Bonsai – Two Day Book Special

This rugged old tree starkly contrasts with the way it’s presented; the professional studio photo, the quality stand and pot cleaned and oiled to perfection. As you can see, it’s a pine. I won’t bother to guess the variety, but here’s where I found it and here’s the caption… Nippon Bonsai Sakka Kyookai Europe España a SAKKA TEN 2012 – PEÑISCOLA. Fotos de estudio realizadas por Alex Espuny (Studio Photos by Alex Espuny). I’m mesmerized by this tree’s rugged, natural look. So even though we’ve shown it before (with two more photos today), I’m going to ask you to indulge me in a second time NEW 2 DAY … Continue reading Rough & Rugged Old Bonsai – Two Day Book Special

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

A Wild Weather Beaten Story

After styling. This wild looking tree is a Phoenician juniper. The artist is Salvatore Liporace. All three images in this post are from Salvatore’s facebook photos. Several things caught my attention when I first saw this tree. First, it’s a Phoenician juniper, a tree you don’t see very often, especially here in North America (we’ve only featured one in all our years of posting). Second, it’s a compelling bonsai styled by an accomplished bonsai artist (Salvatore Liporace). Third, there’s the almost scary deadwood. Like a tree you might see at a haunted house in a spooky movie. One thing that … Continue reading A Wild Weather Beaten Story

The Meta-Natural Bonsai Look

The natural look? Beyond the natural look? This wild and wonderful tree is by our friend Robert Steven (Robert is often featured on Bonsai Bark). I found the photo on facebook. A little help The lower trunk (on the tree above) looks like it just grew that way, somewhere on a rugged cliff overlooking the ocean. The top twisty section of trunk looks like maybe it had a little help from Robert’s hands and some bonsai wire. And there’s no doubt that Robert shaped the foliage. But then, only Robert knows the whole story. My guess is he’ll tell us. … Continue reading The Meta-Natural Bonsai Look

That Natural Look

Natural beauty in fall color with a single root system and multiple trunks. Another facebook find (somewhat crudely cropped for a closer look and to eliminate background distraction – the uncropped original is below). It looks like it might be a hornbeam, but that’s just a guess. Moss I’m not sure about the moss. It look good, but can’t be that healthy for the tree in terms of aeration and related issues. Normally, it’s better to leave some exposed soil. My guess is that it’s just for show and some of it will be removed later. That natural look A … Continue reading That Natural Look