Branching tips (& Six More Days)
Branching tips from Bonsai Today issue 107. It’s about Pomegranates, but is applicable to any plant with opposite leaves (as opposed to alternate leaves – Wikipedia has a good description of leaf arrangement).
Bark
Near Perfect in Every Regard…
We get so used to looking at exception bonsai that sometimes we stop really looking. For me, this bunjin style Japanese while pine (seven tree clump) on a slab, is near perfect in every regard. If you just look for a while, free from ideas about what it is or should be, then it has the power to transport you to someplace natural and free. From the cover of Bonsai Today issue 25. I doubt if these shears have the same power to transport you as the bonsai above, but they will help you style your own trees. Now on … Continue reading Near Perfect in Every Regard…
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
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
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).
My Mistake: Bonsai Today 66 Is Not In Stock
In our post, way back on Monday, we featured a how-to on deciduous branching (more to come later today). In the post I said that Bonsai Today 66 is in stock. Well, it’s not. I was wrong and over the last couple days, several of you have tried to order it. My apologies for getting your hopes up. However, most issues of Bonsai Today are still in stock, including almost every one after 66 and many before 66, including some old rare very slightly used ones.
It’s Not Too Late!
Our very own Kokufu All you last minute procrastinators are in luck. You can still sign up for the 2nd US National Bonsai Exhibition and enjoy the best of the of US bonsai and be part of the early stages of our very own Kokufu. Really, you’ll be thanking me for reminding you for a long time. The 2008 Album is still available. When it’s gone (and you’ve collected the next ten albums) you’ll kick yourself for waiting.
NEW! The Japanese Tea Garden
Marc Keane’s latest addition to the wonderful world of Japanese gardens. Hardcover- 10 1/2″ x 8 1.4″ – 284 pages – 117 color photos & illustrations More than just another Japanese garden book Though it features numerous world class Japanese gardens, this beautiful, richly photographed and illustrated volume is much more than just another Japanese garden book. Marc Peter Keane, renowned author and designer takes you on a guided tour of Japanese tea gardens, from ancient times to the modern day. It’s a journey that looks at how social. religious. aesthetic, and philosophical influences combined over hundreds of years to … Continue reading NEW! The Japanese Tea Garden
Rare Early Issues of Bonsai Today
Bonsai Today issue 1, second edition (issue 1 is the only issue to have two editions). There are very few left I’ve been going through our collection of rare old, long out-of-print and out-of-stock Bonsai Todays, and putting them up on Stone Lantern. We only have a few that we’ve bought back from people over the years, but my intention is to offer them all (except for one set for my personal collection). So far I’ve put up all the single digit issues we have, as well as issues 10 and 11, with more to come.