Still Speaking of François Jeker

Okay. More François. After all, he’s coming to the U.S., so why not? And, he just sent us these images and I like them and thought you might like them too. For more check out our previous posts, here and here. A message from Mr. Jeker Bonjour, Ci-joint le résultat du dernier stage sur la maturation des arbres. Il s’agit pour la plupart d’arbres qui avaient été travaillés lors de mes stages ces deux dernières années et qui ont fait l’objet d’un nouveautravail de maturation sur deux jours : interventions sur le nebari, la silhouette, la ramification et le bois … Continue reading Still Speaking of François Jeker

2nd Chance: Win a Free Gift Certificate

A River in India, by Lew Buller. From his book, Saikei and Art: Minature Landscapes. Now on special at Stone Lantern. Win a $25.00 (or $15.00) gift certificate Send us a written critique of the planting above and you just might win. Even if you don’t, you can share your observations with our readers. Note: Do not put your entry in comments below. Instead email yours to wayne@stonelantern.com; after we have received them all we will post them for judging. For more info, check out our original post.

A Lost Treasure #5: Land of Paradise

Land of Paradise, our forth in a series of plantings from Toshio Kawamoto’s Saikei classic. The trees are seven 5 to 7-year-old rock cotoneasters (4″ – 7″ tall) and seven somewhat shorter 3-year-old satsuki azaleas. Though you can’t really tell in the photo, the pot (Tokoname) is very large (48″ x 16″ – 122cm x 41cm). Side view diagram.

Speaking of François Jeker

It’s a little fuzzy (enlarged a tad too much), but you can still see the time consuming detail in François Jeker’s carving. It’s especially noteworthy because the tree is a yew (taxus), a genus known for the hardness of its wood. From the cover of Bonsai Today issue 103. Continued This post is a continuation of the day before yesterday’s post about François appearing at Rosade Bonsai Studio on May 15th. Borrowed from François‘ website. I’m not sure what it is, but I know I like the pot, the tree and the creative presentation. Also from François’ website.

A Wild & Wonderful Larch

Inspiration for your bonsai. This photo is from Bonsaimania. It’s on facebook in a gallery called “Inspirations to your Bonsai: (translated from Spanish). If anyone has any clues, I’d like to know where this photo was taken. Bonsaimania gallery (in English) Here’s what Bonsaimania has to say about their gallery in English: “These trees are real and they can be found in nature. They are on this album because they are models that should inspire us to create our bonsai. If you want to propose a tree in nature that will inspire us, send me a message through my Facebook … Continue reading A Wild & Wonderful Larch

François Jeker Coming to Rosade Bonsai Studio

This soulful tree is exceptionally clean, fluid and well balanced; especially considering how far to the right it is leaning. I lifted it from François’ website. It looks like a very small needled pine, maybe a dwarf Scot’s of some kind, though I can’t really tell. Dead-on deadwood artist François Jeker does some of the most outrageous deadwood carving anywhere. If you don’t believe me, check this out. Or go to his site. Or buy his excellent book (en Espanol tambien). Or best of all, go see him at Rosade Bonsai Studio on May 15th. These illustrations by François give … Continue reading François Jeker Coming to Rosade Bonsai Studio

Site-Wide Sale Extended Until Monday Morning

Good news! You can still take advantage of our 10% – 40% off (not to mention numerous double discounted items) site-wide sale, at least until Monday morning. There’s just too much going on here to change the sale (all that back end web stuff takes time). Next sale Our next sale (starting Monday) will be 25% off of all tools, bonsai wire and netsuke, with an extra 10% off for orders over $100. You might want to compare discounts and decide which sale works best for you. Don’t read this part unless you are really smart If you are comparing … Continue reading Site-Wide Sale Extended Until Monday Morning

Contest: Your Insights Please

A River in India, by Lew Buller. From his book, Saikei and Art: Minature Landscapes. Now on special at Stone Lantern. Share your insights and win Send us a written critique of the planting above and you just might win. Even if you don’t, you can share your observations with our readers. Note: Do not put your entry in comments below. Instead email yours to wayne@stonelantern.com; after we have received them all we will post them for judging (see below). The prizes The first two place will receive gift certificates to Stone Lantern. $25.00 for first place and $15.00 for … Continue reading Contest: Your Insights Please

Transplanting Tips: An Uncommon Technique

Mystified? If you are not familiar with the technique shown here, you just might be. All the photos in this post are from Bonsai Today issue 39. Keeping some roots undisturbed The technique shown here is particularly good if you want to replenish the soil while leaving some of the roots undisturbed. Doing this lessens stress and hastens recovery. Pot sizes and shapes The technique is useful when you want move a tree from a larger to a smaller pot, or into a pot that has a different shape. It also works when you want to replenish some of the … Continue reading Transplanting Tips: An Uncommon Technique

Tropical Bonsai with Mary Miller & Friends

Would you say that this prize winning Ficus neriifolia by Ed Trout looks relaxed and sensuous (nothing like anthropomorphizing a bonsai)? Maybe, maybe not; but you’d have to say that it is powerfully stable with it’s wide flowing nebari and stout trunk. To my eyes it combines the traditional bonsai with a very natural uncontrived look. Almost reminiscent of an old live oak on California hillside. All the photos in this post are from Bonsai Mary. Mary’s website Mary Miller is one of genuine Florida bonsai mavens. Her years of experience as a bonsai teacher, author and grower come together … Continue reading Tropical Bonsai with Mary Miller & Friends