Bark

Another Outstanding Before & After Bonsai

Before and after by Mariusz Komsta. Mariusz doesn’t identify the tree, but I’ll go out on a limb and say it’s a yew (Taxus). Two recurring themes these days are before and after bonsai and yews  (Taxus). I like both and you seem to feel the same, so why not? All the photos in today’s and yesterday’s posts were borrowed from Mariusz Komsta, a long time favorite here on Bark LOWEST WIRE PRICE YET 500 gram (1.1 lb) BONSAI WIRE ONLY 7.95 PER ROLL this special will end November 8th at noon EST   Before…   After. From overgrown to a balanced, open and refreshed … Continue reading Another Outstanding Before & After Bonsai

Bonsai Baby

Couldn’t resist this monster tree with its perfect baby accent. Based on the caption with the photo below and other compelling evidence, I think it’s a safe guess that this photo was taken at Luis Vallejo’s Museo De Bonsais Alcobendas and the baby belongs to Mariusz Janusz Komsta (or perhaps more accurately, Mariusz belongs to the baby) We’ve featured Luis Vallejo’s bonsai numerous times here on Bark (very recently too) and the same goes for Mariusz Komsta’s bonsai. But never quite like this. BONSAI AESTHETICS TOOL SPECIAL 30% OFF LIST PRICES Aesthetics tools for the budget minded bonsai enthusiast special ends Nov 5th at noon … Continue reading Bonsai Baby

You Can Look but You Better Not Touch & Other Scary Bonsai

Halloween? At first glance you might just see the tree and the cobwebs and miss the hands. This photo and the one just below are from Robert Steven’s 2014 International Bonsai Art & Culture Biennale. We’ve added two photos (Nick’s Poison ivy & a strange looking Trident maple) to our Halloween posting from the last two years.  Continued below… LOWEST WIRE PRICE YET 500 gram (1.1 lb) BONSAI WIRE ONLY 7.95 PER ROLL this special will end November 8th at noon EST – There’s something about those ‘severed’ arms that’s just a little ominous. Is this where the recent ‘Black Scissors’ rage started? … Continue reading You Can Look but You Better Not Touch & Other Scary Bonsai

Great Bonsai Photos Make a Real Difference

Close up of Chinese quince that belongs to Luis Vallejo. Here’s the original caption… “Pseudocydonia sinensis (Thouin), Masahiko Kimura Nursery, Japan, in the Luis Vallejo bonsai collection since 2009” There’s a photo of the whole magnificent tree at the bottom of this post We featured a few Luis Vallejo bonsai yesterday and now it’s his bonsai again today. This time with some of the best quality bonsai photographs we’ve seen yet. A friend sent me a link to them last night from Pinterest (via Empire Bonsai). Continued below… SPECIAL ENDS WEDNESDAY GREEN T BASIC MODEL HYDRAULIC LIFT TURNTABLE details below… This little gem … Continue reading Great Bonsai Photos Make a Real Difference

Art Shots from a Famous Bonsai Museum

The bark on this tree speaks of age and combined with the low somewhat twisted shape of the trunks, creates a story of harsh conditions (most varieties of deciduous trees that grow in open easy conditions, tend to grow more upright). The photo was posted by Luis Vallejo. Based on the leaves, I’m guessing it’s a Chinese elm (but that’s just a guess… see below). All the photos shown here are from Luis Vallejo’s Museo De Bonsais Alcobendas. Some are what you might call art shots, with emphasis on features rather than the usual straight on full bodied front shots.  Luis doesn’t identify the trees, so I’m … Continue reading Art Shots from a Famous Bonsai Museum

Before & After White Pine at the Pacific Bonsai Museum

Here’s a before and after that involves bringing an overgrown tree back to it former splendor. The tree is a formal upright Japanese white pine that resides at the Pacific Bonsai Museum. The artist is Tyler Sherrod. I’m a big fan of the Pacific Bonsai Museum and of course, a good before and after bonsai. Especially with such a noble looking tree. While we’re at the museum, did you know that you can have the honor of becoming a member, and in so doing, supporting one of our genuine North American bonsai treasures? Here’s what Tyler Sherrod wrote about this tree … Continue reading Before & After White Pine at the Pacific Bonsai Museum

Brilliant, Full Fall Color Pomegranate Bonsai

You can find this brilliant, full fall color Pomegranate (Punica granatum)and a whole host of other powerful bonsai at Bonsai Mirai. It has been a while since we featured Ryan Neil’s Bonsai Mirai. If you don’t know Bonsai Mirai, you’re in for a treat. And if you’re ever in the Portland Oregon area, you can enjoy a real time visit to what just might be the most impressive yamadori (bonsai collected from the wild) collection in North America. Continued below… LOWEST WIRE PRICE YET 500 gram (1.1 lb) BONSAI WIRE ONLY 7.95 PER ROLL plus numerous other specials at Stone Lantern –   Just three photos … Continue reading Brilliant, Full Fall Color Pomegranate Bonsai

A Soft Spot for Unusual Bonsai

I have a soft spot for unusual bonsai, and this one is no exception (nor is its bow-shaped pot). It’s from Miguel Ros’ Museo Tatsugoro. The trees are Cryptomeria Japonica (commonly called Japanese cedar, though they’re not really cedars). Miguel’s caption is… “Excellent Monday” Last month we put together a post titled A Very Variegated Unusual Bonsai. Now we have another unusual bonsai (along with three others that may qualify) from the same source, Miguel Ros’ Museo Tatsugoro. Miguel and his museum are in Vera Cruz, Mexico, and speaking of soft spots, I’ve been to Mexico about a dozen times, but I’ve never been to Vera Cruz. Next … Continue reading A Soft Spot for Unusual Bonsai

Great Boxwood Bonsai

Aside from being a phenomenal tree and a great pot, there’s a relaxed in-synch feeling, like the pot and tree are old friends. This might have something to do with the color, texture, soft lines and aged look of each. The color and texture of the stand fits right in too, while contrast is provided by its sharp rectangular lines. All together a masterpiece. The artist is François Gau (pot by Greg Ceramics). All three photos in this post are from Parlons Bonsai (I took the liberty to crop all three to bring the trees closer). These late starts are … Continue reading Great Boxwood Bonsai

Shimpaku Bonsai Before & After

This Shimpaku juniper before and after with it’s striking deadwood, single living vein and masterfully redesigned crown (not to mention the perfectly chosen pot), stands out as an impressive work of bonsai art. The artist is Naoki Maeoka. At first glance you might call this a ‘maintenance’ before & after, where an already established bonsai is simply brought back to it’s original beauty with some trimming, wiring and cleaning up. But as soon as you take a closer look, it’s obvious that there’s more going on than just that. Continued below… Bonsai Fertilizer Special 30% OFF LIST PRICES  In addition to Green Dream & other … Continue reading Shimpaku Bonsai Before & After