This ariel shot shows part of Wolfgang Putz’s back yard bonsai display. Clearly this is a labor of love. For a close up of part of the display, continue reading. Or, you can visit Wolfgang’s website and peruse his remarkable gallery as well as more shots of his back yard.
Here’s a photo of Boon Manakitivipart with the (no longer a mystery) Mystery Tree from his website Bonsai Boon. If you look at the original post (5/5/09) the contest was: the first person who posts the name of the person who took the photo and where it is on the internet, wins a $25.00 gift certificate to Stone Lantern’s web store. What I didn’t anticipate was that someone would tell me where it was on the internet and someone else would tell me who took the photo.
Not too long ago I came across this image of this amazingly wild, rugged, wonderful old tree somewhere on the internet. Unfortunately, I neglected to label it the instant I grabbed it (always a mistake). Now, I don’t remember where I found it and I’d like to know so I can attribute it to the person who took the trouble to find it, photograph it, and post it. So here’s the contest. The first person who posts (in comments, see link above) the name of the person who took the photo and where it is on the internet, wins a … Continue reading Contest: Identify this Wild Mystery Tree & Win
I could watch and listen to Ben Oki for a long time. In this one, you get to watch the old master wiring, and, as a bonus, hear a story about John Naka; another old master. FYI: John Naka was considered the dean of American bonsai. He died in 2004. Bonsai Today issue 93 features a special on Mr. Naka and you can enjoy his sketches in The John Naka Sketch Book (The National Bonsai Foundation). Two other noteworthy Naka books are: Bonsai Techniques one and two (Bonsai Institute of California).
One of the secrets to achieving fused surface roots like on this Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is planing (not to be confused with planning, which also helps).
Prize winning Trident maple (Acer Buergeratum) by Martin Schmalenberg. Commemorative Album, 1st U.S. Nationaly Bonsai Exhibition, 2008 I set out to pick a few of my favorites to whet your appetite. The problem is, about half of the hundred and fifty some trees (counting multiple tree shohin displays as one tree) are my favorites and the other half are gaining.
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. Shohin are small bonsai. When compared to large bonsai, Shohin cost less, take less less time to develop, take less space, are easier to move (especially as your back ages), and are less apt to be overwatered. From the back cover of Morten Albek’s Shohin Bonsai (except for the part about your aging back), written almost two years ago by … Continue reading Back Savers: Sohin & Mame Bonsai