Bark

Golden Bonsai Statements

Magnificence in miniature. This is one of the most striking mame (literally ‘bean’) bonsai I’ve seen in a long time. And I don’t think we need to say much about the pot, it can speak for itself. At a glance I’d guess this little bonsai is from Japan, but we can’t be sure without attribution. I found it at the Golden State Bonsai Federation.* Here’s part of their caption: “Steve DaSilva reminds all FBS (Fresno Bonsai Society) members that there will be four shohin bonsai workshops offered on Saturday, April 22nd, at the Koen-Nai fundraiser for the Clark Bonsai Collection…” … Continue reading Golden Bonsai Statements

Ferociously Contorted Scot’s Pine

Gabriel Romero Aguade says of this magnificent, ferociously contorted, Scot’s pine, “Maintenance work and small improvements in a pinus sylvestris from a client. Reposition the angle of planted, settlement of the low branch, cleaning of leaves and selection of outbreaks.” I’ve been seeing a lot of Gabriel Romero Aguade’s bonsai these days and every time I do, I think I should post some. Now, finally, the moment has arrived. Continued below… Fertilizer Sale Ends Tonight 25% off all Green Dream Organic Slow Release Pellets Sale ends tonight (Thursday) at 11:59pm EST Close up   The artist with the tree. Though … Continue reading Ferociously Contorted Scot’s Pine

Full Bloom Bonsai – A Passion for Beauty

This wildly colorful Satsuki Azalea is from a Flowering Bonsai Gallery in Bonsai Today issue 65 (image courtesy of Bonsai Focus). If you take a close look at the flowers, you’ll see that there are a number of different shades and patterns. A mark of human passion for beauty and endless variation. There are few things as delightful as Satsuki azalea bonsai in full bloom. Especially in person. Lacking that, next best are high quality photos of Satsuki azalea in full bloom. Especially during the darkest and coldest days of winter. Continued below… NEW INCREASED DISCOUNTS 30% to 35% off … Continue reading Full Bloom Bonsai – A Passion for Beauty

Exquisite Bonsai Stands & a Chance Worth Taking

Here’s David Knittle’s caption for this remarkable display: “Honduras rosewood table, 20″ x 8.5″ x 4″ high. It was built for this juniper rock planting displayed at the San Diego Bonsai Club’s Fall 2016 show.” It’s time to feature our fellow Vermonter, David Knittle and his exquisite bonsai stands. I’ve picked a few from David’s facebook photos. There’s a lot more where these came from. Continued below… NEW BONSAI TOOL SALE 25% to 30% off Roshi Tools Roshi Bonsai Tools are famous for precision cuts, durability, beauty & great prices 25% off 1-2 Roshi Tools 30% off 3 or more … Continue reading Exquisite Bonsai Stands & a Chance Worth Taking

Kokufu Bonsai Bones

We Borrowed this Hackberry from a new 2017 Kokufu post (part 1) on Bill Valavanis Bonsai blog. We’ve been borrowing from Bill Valavanis for the entire life of Bonsai Bark (8 years and counting). This time it’s some very impressive deciduous trees from the 2017 Kokufu Exhibition. For more trees from Kokufu (parts 1 & 2) and others from Bill’s recent trip to Japan, you could do a lot worse than a quick trip to Bill’s blog. Continued below… 20% to 30% off Kilo Rolls Bonsai Aesthetics Wire hesitate and lose This great Sale ends tomorrow night 20% off 1-5 … Continue reading Kokufu Bonsai Bones

Watering Tips – It’s Already Spring in San Diego

This old collected Rocky Mountain juniper is from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai portfolio. Even though some of us are in the midst of a vast frigid whiteness, others are experiencing the first signs of new growth (your bonsai, not you waistlines) with most of us soon to follow. So why not prepare? This post originally appeared in April, 2015. What follows has been lifted word for word, photo for photo from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai. We usually just borrow bits and pieces, so reprinting an entire borrowed post might be a first. Continued below… 20% to 30% off Kilo Rolls … Continue reading Watering Tips – It’s Already Spring in San Diego

Snowsai

I hate to say this, but I can’t find where I found this photo and the one just below. It’s sad coming from someone who preaches attribution and identification. Still, with or without, this shot is a perfect snow covered forest planting and the one below isn’t half bad either. It seems appropriate to feature snow covered bonsai given that we’re in the midst of an intense white weather event. Not that it matters that much to us Vermonters, but some of our neighbors are making a big fuss (map below). Continued below…. 25% to 30% off Kilo Rolls of … Continue reading Snowsai

The Foundations of Bonsai Vision and Artistry

Sabina juniper from Harry Harrington’s The Foundations of Bonsai (Stone Lantern Publishing North American edition). Harry’s caption reads: “This Sabina juniper was collected from altitude in Spain. It grew in thin stony soil and would have been covered in a thick layer of snow for 4 months each year. As a result, despite being at least 100 years old, it is naturally very small.” The pot is by Victor Harris of Erin Pottery. Height 6″ (15cm) Spread 16″ (41cm). The grainy effect is from our prehistoric scanner. The Foundations of Bonsai has arrived and all the pre-orders have been shipped. … Continue reading The Foundations of Bonsai Vision and Artistry

Best of Show Bonsai – part 2

Noelanders Trophy award; Best of Show. A Juniperus Sabina by Xavier Massanet. I’m sure someone will clue me in, but I’m a little confused about how there can be two Best of Show trees (see yesterday’s post). The first day of a quick two day escape, so we’ll make this short and sweet. Today we have the second Noelanders Trophy Best of Show Bonsai. As mentioned yesterday, thank you to Bonsai Empire for the exceptional photos and thanks also to Mark Noelanders for putting together a world class bonsai extravaganza. Continued below… Here’s the Wire Sale you’ve been waiting for… … Continue reading Best of Show Bonsai – part 2

Trophy Time and the Year of the Yew

Noelanders Trophy award; Best of Show. A Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew) by Bonsai Museum Alcobendas. Can we assume that the artist is Luis Vallejo? It’s not really kosher to cut off part of pot, but who’s to complain? Bonsai Empire once again wins the award for fastest bonsai news scoop, and we’ll take what we can get. Gratefully. Up late last night* and now I’m trying to get out of town for a brief Montreal mid-winter epicurean extravaganza… so we’ll make this short. We have a Noelanders Trophy Best of Show Bonsai (actually there are two, but we’ll save the … Continue reading Trophy Time and the Year of the Yew