Before & After Bonsai – Tie Pot Special Ends Tonight

Before and after by Koji Hiramatsu. No species is mentioned, but given that Koji lives in Japan and that the tree looks like a Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii), that’s probably a good guess. Though I have been fooled by Japanese red pines (Pinus densiflora), another two needle pine We’ve featured Koji Hiramatsu several times over the last couple years, though mostly his Shohin bonsai (here’s our first and my favorite Koji post), though lately I’m seeing more larger trees and fewer shohin on his fb posts. Either way, big or small, Koji is always worth a visit 30% OFF HAWS WATERING CANS ends tomorrow, Thursday … Continue reading Before & After Bonsai – Tie Pot Special Ends Tonight

Chocolate Bonsai

If you read Japanese, you might learn something about this and the other bonsai shown here. Otherwise, you can do what I do; simply enjoy these sweet little trees (and other plantings) and their equally sweet pots. All the photos shown here are from Pinterest. If what many of us suspect is true, that the population of aging bonsai lovers is not being replaced in large enough numbers by younger enthusiasts, then we should be seeing increasing interest in smaller trees. Nevertheless, what we usually see online are larger, more dramatic trees. I suppose this makes sense as drama sells … Continue reading Chocolate Bonsai

Ordinary Bonsai for Ordinary People

Kishu shimpaku juniper by John Brocklehurst. I like the fragile deadwood twigs and ordinary qualities of this tree, though it could use more refinement and the pot seems a little large, still most of us aspiring bonsai artists would love to see it on our bench. This may be our busiest weekend of the year. That’s my excuse for resurrecting another post from our archives. This one is from January 2013. It was titled, Small Is Still Beautiful. I chose the current title because the trees shown here, though very good, are not quite the jaw dropping world class bonsai … Continue reading Ordinary Bonsai for Ordinary People

Sweet, Beautiful & Otherwise Adjectival

Looks like a quince. I’ve said this before, but quince flowers are one of best things on earth. Really. People travel all over the place looking for beauty, when all they need is a flowering quince. This photo and the others in this post are from Haruyosi on facebook. Haruyosi again. Maybe I should just turn this into his blog. But here’s the deal; his little bonsai are so sweet, beautiful and otherwise adjectival, that I just can’t resist. Particularly his flowering bonsai. Others too though. And his pots of course (he makes his own). Anyway, enjoy! This time … Continue reading Sweet, Beautiful & Otherwise Adjectival

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

Small Is Deceptively Good

We’ll call this little pine tree number 1 (pretty creative eh?). I’m not sure if this is the best view, but it does provide a clear shot of the trunk which appears to be two trunks that start together, separate and then come back together, though if you go down to the last photo, you might be surprised at all that you can’t see here. Beyond the interest created by the trunk, there’s the branching which is pretty well developed for such a small tree. You gotta love Shohin. All the photos here are borrowed from a Michael Bonsai series … Continue reading Small Is Deceptively Good