Old School? New School? Or Just Lazy?

I found this monster on facebook. It was posted by Miano Vito. Actually, the photo I found is below; this is my cropped version. A few questions, but nothing personal 1. Cigarette pack? I think this method for revealing scale originated in Japan back in the neolithic era. 2. Why didn’t he take five minutes to clean the filthy pot? Just lazy, or am I missing something? 3. Is this a Phoenix graft or the real thing? If it’s the real thing, then it is a true monster (in the positive sense). If it’s a Phoenix, it’s a minor monster … Continue reading Old School? New School? Or Just Lazy?

Kimura’s Dragon & Old Magazines

Masahiko Kimura’s ‘Dragon’ from Bonsai Today issue 2 (long out of print). It also appeared in ‘The Bonsai Art of Kimura’ (also long out of print). The Magician, The Bonsai Art of Kimura 2 is still in print and is currently discounted. The good news & the bad news The good news is that we are selling our collection out-of-print Bonsai Todays that we have bought back from people over the years. The bad news is that many have already sold. More good news (maybe) We are buying back out-of-print Bonsai Today whenever the opportunity arises, so, if and when … Continue reading Kimura’s Dragon & Old Magazines

Tree + Pot = Bonsai

This sinuous shimpaku by Boon Manakitivipart (Bonsai Boon) is an excellent example of how to harmonize a tree with a pot. Not only does the rusty orange/tan (what is that color called?) pot color highlight the cinnamon colored bark, but the soft curves of pot enhance the trunk’s soft curves as well as the overall soft roundness of the foliage. As an added touch, the high shine on the pot helps bring out the bark’s almost glowing quality. Altogether a very sweet effect. What do you think? I’m not an expert and my opinion is just my opinion (opinions are … Continue reading Tree + Pot = Bonsai

Another Bon-Tat?

Scott Tice’s shoulder, fully adorned. Nice flowers. Are we heading in the wrong direction? I’m not sure about these bon-tats anymore, though the flowers on Scott’s are very good. Are we heading in the wrong direction with these? Or should be continue posting them? Any thoughts? Disclaimer I don’t have any tattoos, and if I did, it probably wouldn’t be a bonsai (maybe a Mahakala). Most people in my generation don’t have tattoos, and when they do, it’s usually just one, and often that one is hidden. Still, I am not opposed to the culture of prolific tattoos that mark … Continue reading Another Bon-Tat?

Developing Ramification on Deciduous Bonsai: 3

The third and final set of illustrations in the series (first set, second set). This one deals primarily with shaping with wire after the pinching and pruning has been completed. I suspect that where it say RESTRAINING NEW SHOOTS (top left corner), it should say TRAINING NEW SHOOTS. From Bonsai Today issue 66. Training new shoots The final step in our series is on training the new shoots. Notice how it is suggested that you do it sooner rather than later after the shoots have started to harden. Shaping with wire is almost always the best way, though sometimes just … Continue reading Developing Ramification on Deciduous Bonsai: 3

Air-Layering with a Touch of Silliness

This is from a Bonsai Society of Portland (Oregon) video entitled ‘Uncovering an Air-layer.’ I found it on Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai. What’s with bonsai people? A friend of mine (she isn’t a bonsai enthusiast) once describe bonsai people as a ‘bunch of harmless nerds.’ I’m not so sure about the harmless part (just kidding?), but you might find a touch of nerdiness every now and then (not that there’s anything wrong with it). Anyway, check out this video. It’s instructive (in more ways than one). And BTW, the happy cackle belongs to Mr. Hagedorn himself. Michael inspecting the newly … Continue reading Air-Layering with a Touch of Silliness

Judges Wanted!

Time to judge Some of you have sent in your choices for our $100 Bonsai Photo Art Contest, but we still need more. Don’t hesitate, just do it! You’ll help keep things rolling along and you might win a gift certificate to Stone Lantern.

Sixty Four Years of Bonsai in Sacramento

Coast live oak by Greg McDonald of the Sacramento Bonsai Club. If you want to see more detail, check out this larger image. California dreamin’ but no diggin’ Though I don’t know the history of the oak above, I imagine it was collected in the California Coast Range. California (and most of the West Coast) is blessed with some of the most spectacularly wild mountain ranges anywhere, and these ranges are covered with a multitude of collectable tree species. Enough to boggle even the most jaded tree lover’s mind. This is not to say that I think you should run … Continue reading Sixty Four Years of Bonsai in Sacramento

Necessary and Good

Not too many I try not to clutter Bonsai Bark with too many Stone Lantern promos, still, selling books, tools and the other stuff is how we make our living, and that’s necessary and good. For us, and for you (check out the discounts). Three more rare out-of-print old issues of Bonsai Today just went up on Stone Lantern. Including 17, the famous transplanting issue (we only have 3, so don’t wait).

If It Weren’t For Bonsaimania…

I lifted this off Bonsaimania’s ‘Inspiraciones para tu Bonsái’ on facebook. They translate it as ‘Inspirations to your Bonsai,’ a sweet touch, no? Bonsaimania and facebook If it weren’t for Bonsaimania’s consistently great photos, and a few other things here and there, facebook would most certainly live up to its reputation as one big fat waste of time. Don’t forget Judge & Win! Here’s another from ‘Inspiraciones para tu Bonsáii.’