Heavenly Bonsai, an Old Larch, a Tree that Never Gave Up & a Terrific Subtext 7/17/18

nick

American Larch (Larix laricina - aka Tamarack) by Larch Master Nick Lenz (from our archives). This brings us to the 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition (September, 8th and 9th in Rochester). We will bring some field grown larches of our own. Nothing like this masterpiece. Just some rough stock, mostly 15 to 25 year old that originally came from a friend's land. We have been digging some every year and growing them on here at my place, for the last 14 years or so. We've been pruning for taper, so we've got some pretty good trunks. We'll try to have some decent photos soon

Sometimes I think I’m getting dull (duller?) I’ve been doing this for almost ten years and I’ve barely changed the format. My comments haven’t evolved all that much either. I’ve become a little more selective in what I chose to post, so that’s something. And the images are larger too,  which also counts for something. But that’s about it. I’ve picked all the low hanging fruit, I’m not tall enough for any higher and I forgot where I put my ladder anyway

So, as I see it, it’s time to shake things up a bit and try something we haven’t done for a long time (if that doesn’t scare you, nothing will). A post without a single theme! (there is a subtext, but I haven’t figured out what it is)

Before we go on…

Due to the Trade War Tariffs
It’s time to raise Wire Prices

We’ve hung on as long as we can while taking it on the chin
So tomorrow we will raise Bonsai Aesthetics Kilos 1.00 each
and our 500gm rolls .50 each

We will continue our special 2.00 off
for 3 or more Kilos

and 2.00 off for 5 or more 500 gram rolls

now is your chance
to order at pre-tariff prices

 nandinaYou don't see that many Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) bonsai (it's not a real bamboo). Though I understand why Miguel put his name on it, with so many people 'borrowing' photos and putting them up without attribution, still it is a little distracting
  raftNature's raft (. "It fell a long time ago, but it never gave up." (Keith Anderson's caption).  This can only happen if some of the roots are still in the ground after the tree falls. Then gradually, roots start growing from the fallen trunk and the branches become new trunks and you've got a raft (Ikadabuki) style bonsai... or in this case, a full size natural raft

valavanis_cotoneaster_horizontalis2

Here's a sinuous root raft bonsai where the original trunk is almost completely buried. It's a Rockspray Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) in splendid fall color, by Bill Valavanis of International Bonsai. Speaking of the 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition (see above), Bill is the man

 

wild

This wild child belongs to Sandro Segneri. Sando has a very long caption (poorly translated from Italian by a machine) that starts... "A tree before entering the shop must have spent a reasonable period of time to stabilize the force, develop growth..." (here's your link to the rest)

MID SUMMER SPECIAL

25% TO 75% OFF LIST PRICE ON HUNDREDS OF ITEMS

All ProductsOur inventory is simply too long
so we’ve been systematically lowering prices on hundreds of items
this is your chance

FREE Shipping on Continental U.S. orders 75.00 or more
but only if you choose free shipping when you check out