Wild Horses, Tiny Trees

This sweet little quince with its brilliant tiny flowers belongs to Haruyosi. It’s a safe bet that he also made the pot. It has been a couple years since I first stumbled upon Haruyosi and his delightful tiny trees and pots and though I’m usually loath to use the term bonsai master (once you introduce the term, pretty soon you see even moderately accomplish bonsai artists called bonsai master and that just ain’t right), if I were to use it, Haruyosi would be a good place to start. Or, more precisely, Shohin Bonsai Master. While were throwing the term around, … Continue reading Wild Horses, Tiny Trees

Practically Small

This banyan style dwarf Snow rose serissa (Serissa foetida microphylla) was styled by David Fukumoto of Fuku Bonsai in Hawaii. The pot is a Tokoname from Japan. Living in the tropics really helps when it comes to growing aerial roots. Based on thirty years experience in bonsai business, I’d guess that the majority of our readers and customers are into their middle years or beyond. To be sure, there are some younger bonsai enthusiasts, but clubbing and couch surfing don’t mix all that well with bonsai care. Nor do small children and the rigors of a budding fast track career. … Continue reading Practically Small

Weekly Wire #4

The Adachi Museum Garden is featured the Japan Journey’s Gardens of Japan tour next month (Nov 11-22). Though I’ve never been to the Adachi gardens, judging from the photos, I just might agree with those who say it’s among the world’s most glorious gardens; Japanese or otherwise. Bonsai clubs. Looking for a Bonsai Club near you? Here’s the ABS Bonsai Club Directory. Calendars. Our 2012 Bonsai calendars are coming soon. Stay posted. The Mid-Atlantic 2012 Spring Festival is scheduled for April 20-22. This excellent show has long been a premier East Coast bonsai event. … Continue reading Weekly Wire #4

Bonsai Miksang

Photo by Morten Albek. From his Shohin blog. Miksang Miksang is a contemplative approach photography that’s about “uncovering the truth of pure perception… without the biases, filters and formulas often associated with photography” (from The Miksang Institute for Contemplative Photography). It seems to me to be a both disciplined and spontaneous approach to photography and to seeing; simply seeing without projection, with an open and unbiased mind. The photography of Morten Albek I have long been impressed by Morten Albek’s bonsai photography. Whether his photos are the result of a Miksang approach, I can’t say for sure, though it’s easy … Continue reading Bonsai Miksang

One More Day to Get What You Want & Be Frugal at the Same Time

Over 500 items discounted Some stuff is very dramatically discounted: The Magician, Shohin Bonsai, Bonsai from the Wild, Saikei and Art are all marked down to $9.95 each. Plus double discounts But not for long Tomorrow (Sept 30th) is the last day

Tool Sale Ends Tomorrow: Books Up Next

Right now and until tomorrow (Monday, July 5th) around 9am Eastern Daylight Time, all tools are 35% to 45% off. This sale will be replaced by a book sale (also 35% to 45% off). Speaking of books, the photo above is from Morten Albek’s Shohin Bonsai. Happy 4th but don’t forget to water! Today is July 4th. For some of you, it’s just another Sunday, but it’s Independence Day here in the States. For those of you celebrating, enjoy the sun, the grill, the beer, family and friends (or whatever you choose), but don’t forget to water! Warehouse closed this … Continue reading Tool Sale Ends Tomorrow: Books Up Next

Double Discounts at Stone Lantern

There’s a big Site-Wide Sale going on at Stone Lantern. 10% to 40% off everything. Not bad, but it gets better: Dozens of items are individually discounted. Some steeply. This means very large double discounts on those items. In some cases well over 50% off. This wonderful book features some of the very best bonsai in the U.S. The trees are spectacular and the book itself is a work of art. The regular price is $65.00 The discounted price is $45.00. With our site-wide sale it is from $27.00 to $36.00, depending on the overall size of your order. Numerous … Continue reading Double Discounts at Stone Lantern

In Whose Eye? Eccentric Bonsai

This strange, jumbled profusion of colorful leaves in a bonsai pot is from Morten Albek’s Shohin-Bonsai Europe website. It’s a Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) by Jacques Graulus of Belgium. BTW: Morten Albek is the author of Majesty in Miniature: Shohin Bonsai (Stone Lantern Publishing). No harm intended This is our first post on eccentric bonsai. Our intention is to explore and expand our bonsai horizons. Hopefully our observations are not too aggressive or offensive. However, it’s my view that anyone who is daring enough to put a photo of their bonsai on the web, should be prepared for evaluation and … Continue reading In Whose Eye? Eccentric Bonsai

Green Workshop: Fall Transplanting Pros & Cons

Time to repot. Morten Albek intentionally broke the pot to show this Cork bark Japanese black pine’s dense root mass. From Morten’s book, Shohin Bonsai (Stone Lantern Publishing). Why transplant in the fall? If you transplant in the fall your trees can take full advantage of the next growing season. If you transplant in the spring (that’s when most people do it), by the time the tree recovers, you’ve lost part of the growing season. Why not transplant in the fall? If you have an early winter and your bonsai haven’t fully recovered from transplanting, then you risk serious damage … Continue reading Green Workshop: Fall Transplanting Pros & Cons

Back Savers #4: Suthin’s Shohin

Suthin Sukosolvisit shows some serious stuff (sorry) with this powerful shohin (small bonsai) display. This type multi-tree display is the way shohin bonsai typically appear in judged shows. Check out Morten Albek’s Shohin Bonsai to see the rules (written and unwritten) for shohin display. Suthiin Sukosolvisit I’ve long been a fan of Suthin’s. Not just because of his shohin (though he is best known for those), but because he shows mastery across a range of bonsai sizes and styles. Still, shohin is what this post is about, and when it comes to shohin, Suthin is one of the best artists … Continue reading Back Savers #4: Suthin’s Shohin