Apex, Canopy, Crown: Whatcha Got?

This Zelkova serrata (sometimes called Greybark elm and sometimes called just Zelkova) is a classic broom style bonsai. Often when you think of broom style, you think of Zelkova (and vise versa). However, neither broom style nor zelkova are what inspired this post (see below). Photo from Bonsai Today issue 26. You asked for it A while back someone asked for some info on designing apices (plural for apex). At the time I promised that we would post something very soon and then proceeded to neglect to do it. So, here’s the beginning of a series on bonsai apices. Better … Continue reading Apex, Canopy, Crown: Whatcha Got?

Junipers: Don’t Pinch Too Much!

Even if you’re one of those curmudgeons who complains about the overly sculpted look of some Japanese bonsai, you’ve got to admit that this powerhouse Shimpaku approaches perfection. That trunk draws your eye like few trunks anywhere, with its single living vein, mysterious hollow at its base and the spidery fingers and hole at the top. But it’s the tight lush foliage that I want to point out here; the result of some serious trimming and pinching. The photo is from our Juniper book. Artist unknown. A question about pinching on Michael Hagedorn’s site The following is from the Seasonal … Continue reading Junipers: Don’t Pinch Too Much!

Green Workshop: Controlling Conifer Growth

These simple tips on trimming and pinching are from an extensive article entitled ‘How to Train Coniferous Bonsai’ from Bonsai Today issue 42. Stay posted for more tips from this article. Books on the subject Two of the best books on training conifers are part of our Masters’ Series: Growing and Styling Juniper Bonsai, and Growing and Styling Japanese White and Black Pines (most of the info is good for other pines).

A Cascading Bunjin Pine in Three Simple Steps

These illustrations by Kyosuke Gun show three stages in the development of simple shohin cascading bunjin style pine. Though we don’t know for sure, we might assume that these illustrations are of an actual tree, as many, if not most of Mr. Gun’s illustrations are based upon actual bonsai. The illustration originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 39. Small adjustments with big results One of the purposes in this post is to show how a couple simple changes can turn an untrained stock plant in to presentable bonsai.