What Do Shohin Bonsai & Suiseki Have in Common?

The 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Finest Shohin Bonsai Display by Melvyn Goldstein. The varieties are: Japanese Five-Needle Pine, Dwarf Hinoki Cypress, Trident Maple, Zelkova and Sargent Juniper. Unfortunately given that some of the individual trees were less well lit than others, the photo isn’t as good we’d like (Oscar worked with what he had). You can expect a better shot when the album comes out. One answer to the question above – What Do Shohin Bonsai & Suiseki Have in Common? – is they were both on display at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition and a prize winner … Continue reading What Do Shohin Bonsai & Suiseki Have in Common?

No, Tanuki Is Not Cheating

An exceptional tanuki (phoenix graft) juniper by Pierre Leloup. This tree is from a post we did four years ago. It was titled What Happens When an Artist Tries His Hand at Bonsai? The artist is of course, Pierre. Tanuki Bonsai – Is It Cheating? is the title of a post we did last week. I don’t think I’m particularly proud of the post. It led with a non-tanuki, attention grabbing Bougainvillea in full bloom and the title is deceptive; I don’t think tanuki is cheating. It’s just another bonsai technique, though it is frowned upon by some in the … Continue reading No, Tanuki Is Not Cheating

Tanuki Again & a Mind Stopping Bonsai Experience

This palatial planting by Pierre Leloup may have been the most talked about bonsai 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. There’s no way that a photo can capture the sheer size and splendor of this planting. Viewing it in real space is one of those mind stopping experiences. The photo is courtesy of Pierre Leloup and Sangi Louise Drolet, my Exhibition neighbors. Yesterday’s post was about the upcoming 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. In each of the two posts before that, the word Tanuki was part of the title. Which brings us to my friend Pierre Leloup who I met at … Continue reading Tanuki Again & a Mind Stopping Bonsai Experience

The Dark Horse

What a great photo. It helps to have such an excellent subject for sure (Japanese black pine). It’s from post titled ‘The Dark Horse’ on the Bjorvala Bonsai Studio blog. The full tree and pot are shown below. Getting ready for a few days out of the office (my other job) so it’s a good time to dig back into our archives. This one originally appeared in 2013. It was titled ‘Drifting a Little Farther Afield.’ There’s really not much of theme going on with this post, other than a digital tour of some bonsai blogs/websites. So we’ll leave it … Continue reading The Dark Horse

All You Need Is the Right Pot and Just a Touch of Art

This unusual gem is part of an excellent selection of Kusamono from Tony Tickle’s garden. In Tony’s own words… “I have a large collection of dwarf Hostas, these flourish in my rather damp garden, in summer the other Kusamono come into flower and leaf. Here are a few they include Astilbie, Thrift and sedums. Most of the Pots are from my friend Dan Barton but there are pots from Gordon Duffet and many other European Potters.” Five of the nine photos in this post are Tony’s. It’s summer, the sun is shinning for a change and my bonsai and gardens … Continue reading All You Need Is the Right Pot and Just a Touch of Art

Fall Color & More Bonsai Events

I found this brilliant Rockspray Cotoneaster by searching fall bonsai color. Turns out that, though I must admit that I didn’t recognize it (this doesn’t bode well), it appeared right here on Bonsai Bark way back in 2009. Anyway, not only is it striking with it’s hundreds of multi-hued little leaves, but it just so happens that it’s belongs to Bill Valavanis who is hosting a big event this weekend (see below). Not to rush things, but for some of us fall has already insinuated its way into our thoughts and conversations (last night it was 36F here). Often these … Continue reading Fall Color & More Bonsai Events

Drifting a Little Farther Afield

What a great photo. It helps to have such an excellent subject for sure (Japanese black pine). It’s from post titled ‘The Dark Horse’ on the Bjorvala Bonsai Studio blog. The full tree and pot are shown below. There’s really not much of theme going on with this post, other than a digital tour of some bonsai blogs/websites. So we’ll leave it at that… except to say that we’re going a little farther afield than we usually do. I have a soft spot for hand painted bonsai pots. This one is from the ‘for sale’ section of Ryan Bell’s … Continue reading Drifting a Little Farther Afield

Not Crazy, Dug from the Garden, Abette Rosso, Vampire Suiseki & Small Bonsai Lovers

Fluidity, power and so well groomed. If you’re in that “I don’t like that highly styled look” group, then you’re probably not crazy about this tree. For me, beauty isn’t restricted to a style or concept, so no problem (though you’d never see a tree in nature that looks like this). It’s was posted on facebook by Minoru Akiyama, one of Japan’s many outstanding bonsai artists. Now for the guessing part: Shimpaku juniper (too easy). This is what can happen when good stock ends up in talented hands. Mario Komsta has an excellent series of photos on facebook that … Continue reading Not Crazy, Dug from the Garden, Abette Rosso, Vampire Suiseki & Small Bonsai Lovers

Bunjin! For Love of Bonsai, A Little Counter Point, Yankee Bonsai Artists & What Is It About the Eel River?

Remember this? A little counter point to the searing heat many of us have been experiencing. Photo is from Rosemarie Voelker’s facebook photos. The caption reads: Vincente Rodriguez Lopez, Spain February 2012 snow. FREE Green Dream bonsai fertilizer while our warehouse is closed for vacation. Our warehouse will be closed for six more days. Orders received this week will be shipped on a first-come, first-served basis starting next Monday the 20th. As a reward for your patience, all orders received by noon Sunday (U.S. Eastern Daylight Time) the 19th will receive one FREE 8oz bag of Green Dream bonsai … Continue reading Bunjin! For Love of Bonsai, A Little Counter Point, Yankee Bonsai Artists & What Is It About the Eel River?

What Happens When an Artist Tries His Hand at Bonsai?

You can see this bonsai and other examples of Pierre Leloup’s art on his facebook page and on his website. The luck of the draw Pierre Leloup and Sangi Drolet were my immediate neighbors in the vendors section of the 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. As it turned out, they saved my life (in the not too literal sense). Not only did they help me load up at the end of the show (I was by myself and brought way too much stuff), but they fed me, offered me water when I was dry, and cheered me up during those … Continue reading What Happens When an Artist Tries His Hand at Bonsai?