When Was the Last Time You Climbed a Bonsai Tree?

It’s not that often you see a full grown man sitting in a bonsai tree (why doesn’t the tree fall over?). The caption and the photo are from BCI magazine. Yesterday we featured a major league rock planting by Simon Baron with Marc Noelanders. Simon is a new talent to us, but most of you know Marc, a respected and accomplished bonsai artist, teacher and author. Marc is also the founder and ongoing force behind the annual Noelanders Trophy Bonsai Exhibition. This post originally appeared here in December, 2015. It features the only photo I know of with a human sitting in a bonsai. SPECIAL … Continue reading When Was the Last Time You Climbed a Bonsai Tree?

In Praise of 3 Phenomenal Bonsai Tools (Okatsune Tool Sale Ends Tonight) & Another ‘Cedar’ Bonsai

Close up of a Red cedar bonsai forest. I’m going to assume that it’s what we call the Eastern red cedar, which is actually a juniper (Juniperus virginiana), though there are trees in other parts of the world that are commonly called Red cedar (none are Cedrus or true cedars). Our source, an online company that sells ‘bonsai’ seeds is no help with identification, nor with the owner of this forest. I must admit I enjoy trying to sort out the common name versus botanical name confusion when it comes to certain trees. The other day we featured a Northern white cedar, which … Continue reading In Praise of 3 Phenomenal Bonsai Tools (Okatsune Tool Sale Ends Tonight) & Another ‘Cedar’ Bonsai

Okatsune Bonsai & Garden Tool Sale Ends Wednesday

A sampling of some of our Okatsune Bonsai and Garden shears. There are many more, including hedge shears, saws, sheaths, sharpening stones and etc Our 25% off Okatsune Tool Sale ends Wednesday, March 26th at 11:59pm Okatsune are the Mercedes of Bonsai and Garden Tools. Expensive? Not when you consider their quality. Worth if you can afford it? Absolutely. And, now with 25% off, they are well within reach. Okatsune Bypass Shears with Sheath. Forget about Felco. Okatsune Bypass Shears are in a league all to themselves. Okatsune Bonsai Shear. Even though there are several other bonsai shears that … Continue reading Okatsune Bonsai & Garden Tool Sale Ends Wednesday

Short & Very Muscular

One very muscular Shimpaku juniper. From Reiner Vollmari’s photo gallery. Hiding the action This wonderfully powerful bonsai presents a bit of a mystery. The live wood that peaks out in the V at the top of the shari is quite well developed, as is the entire crown, and would require at least one or two large living veins to support all that life. The small living vein in the front, though quite striking against the massive deadwood, is completely unconvincing. This is not a complaint, I like this tree a lot. It is unique in its strength and its style. … Continue reading Short & Very Muscular

Our Summer Sale Ends Thursday Morning

Our Okatsune bonsai shear. This is my favorite bonsai shear. In fact, I think it’s the best bonsai shear in the world (short of individually hand made $500 and up Japanese shears). New shipment of tools from Japan due in next week We are running out of many of our tools, but a new supply is due in next week. Order now and take advantage of our Site Wide Summer Sale, and as soon as they arrive, yours will be on its way. I’ve seen most of the photos and much of the text, and I will stake my reputation … Continue reading Our Summer Sale Ends Thursday Morning

World Class Bonsai Shear

Many people don’t know about Okatsune tools. Those that do, love them, though many of those people don’t know that Okatsune makes a bonsai shear. I’ve been using mine for over ten years and I’ve never had to sharpen them. To be sure I use other shears (it’s good to work with all the tools we sell), but I always return to my Okatsunes. This is a good time These Okatsune shears are discounted (really double discounted) right now. So are over 250 other items. Here’s another Okatsune shear that I use all the time. It’s a wonder for heavier … Continue reading World Class Bonsai Shear