Another Bonsai Adventure with an Old Ezo Spruce

This Ezo spruce (Picea jezoenis) belongs to Walter Pall. The hand built pot accentuates its natural look. The tree was originally collected in Hokkaido, Japan sometime before 1950 and is over 100 years old. The pot (Walter calls it a stone) is by Dietmar Popp. Inventory today. To save time, we’ll borrow from May, 2015. After this, it’s onward into the New Year and plenty of new posts. In addition to his bonsai, I like Walter Pall’s instructive step-by-step presentations. It’s like you’re standing there looking over his shoulder. Or in this case, Thomas’ shoulder. In Walter’s own words Thomas … Continue reading Another Bonsai Adventure with an Old Ezo Spruce

Nasty Alligators & Old New Year’s Bonsai

Though any Kokufu bonsai might work to lead with, there’s something about Quince flowers… Here’s Bill Valavanis’ caption: A small size Toyo Nishiki Japanese flowering quince, Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Toyo Nishiki’ with multiple colored flowers. Although red, pink and white blossoms are common for this great cultivar, I’ve often seen red branches grafted onto specimens to improve color distribution. Welcome to 2017. Even though it’s a day of rest, alligators don’t really rest (nasty year end alligators today and then inventory tomorrow), so I’ve decided to take the easy way out and show you some photos that we featured in February … Continue reading Nasty Alligators & Old New Year’s Bonsai

New Year, New Bonsai Book

Cross polanization and innovation. I don’t think you’ll see many bonsai quite like this one. It exists at the cutting edge (unintended) of bonsai. This creative innovation is due, at least in part, to travel and the internet. Ideas and technique bounce around the globe at light speed. The cutting edge artist in this case is Harry Harrington. The tree is a yew that we originally posted in June of 2016, and even though it wasn’t that long ago, it’s worth another look. We’re celebrating the New Year with a ground breaking New Book. Stone Lantern’s North American edition of … Continue reading New Year, New Bonsai Book

Three Pines, a Prize Winning Olive & a Great Display by One of Only Two Americans to Exhibit at the 2014 Kokufu

This knotted pine, along with the two pines below, were recently posted by Frank Cucchiara. Frank doesn’t say anything about them (they look like Japanese black pines), but based on what we know about Frank, we can assume they are his. This post was going to be short and simple. Three pines borrowed from Frank Cucchiara. But, suddenly, after a little research, we’ve got a tribute to Frank’s bonsai. Continued below… 8.50 for 500 gram rolls of Bonsai Wire IS Too Good to Pass UP 13.50 less 30% = 9.45 per roll if your total order is 100.00+ then it’s … Continue reading Three Pines, a Prize Winning Olive & a Great Display by One of Only Two Americans to Exhibit at the 2014 Kokufu

Flowers & Snow (& Too Good to Pass Up)

Japanese Flowering apricot (Prunus mume). This would be a remarkable tree even without the flowers. With the flowers… well, you can see for yourself. The tree resides at Bonsai Aichien in Japan. Speaking of snow, we’re expecting a foot or more over the next day or so. Time to run to the store to stock up on half and half. Meanwhile, we’ll borrow today’s post from February 2014. Both the photos here were posted on facebook by Juan Andrade who is (was?) an apprentice at Bonsai Aichien and a great source of excellent bonsai photos. Continued below… Too Good to … Continue reading Flowers & Snow (& Too Good to Pass Up)

Two Powerful Bonsai for Your Enjoyment

Oaks are often full of character and this one is no exception. It’s a Holm oak that belongs to Raffaele Perilli. Though you can’t see it in this photo, it’s sitting on a Green T Hydraulic Lift Bonsai Turntable. I guess this post might qualify as an infomercial of sorts… but before you move on, you might take a moment to appreciate three things… First, two powerful bonsai for your enjoyment Second, our NEW Tool and Wire Sales Third, our amazing Green T Professional Hydraulic Turntable. Continued below… 2 Brand NEW Sales 2 Continuing Sales… …one with increase discounts NEW … Continue reading Two Powerful Bonsai for Your Enjoyment

Three Juniper Bonsai & One Juniper Bonsai Book

Here’s one that jumped off the page while perusing everyone’s favorite social media site. Looks like a Shimpaku juniper. There’s a lot to like here: the way the living veins merge in an inverted U shape on the trunk (a strange feature that might disqualify the tree from exhibiting in the famous Japanese bonsai shows, but one that you might appreciate for its unconventional effect); the dynamic movement of the trunk from the base to the top and the feel of coiled stored energy in the trunk (it’s the coffee). Then there’s the way deadwood in the middle of the … Continue reading Three Juniper Bonsai & One Juniper Bonsai Book

Enjoy Two Beautiful 2017 Japanese Calendars & Save

These two handsome, colorful 2017 Japanese Calendars can be yours at a New Special price of only 19.90 (list price for both is 30.90). Order yours before they are gone We have been importing beautiful custom Japanese bonsai and garden calendars for so long I’ve forgotten when we started. The response has always been overwhelming, with the same bonsai and Japanese garden lovers ordering year after year Here are a few more photos to stimulate you sense of beauty… Multi-toned Satsuki azalea Shimpaku juniper with swirling scuptural deadwood Another stunning Satsuki A perfect compliment to your new Calendars…. 30% … Continue reading Enjoy Two Beautiful 2017 Japanese Calendars & Save

Short & Sweet

Here’s what Bob Bailey wrote when he posted this tiny but powerful pine by Koji Hiramatsu: “One of his finest and only 10cms tall.” And just in case you happen to live in one of the three countries* that haven’t adopted the metric system, that’s just under 4″ I’m not sure how we managed to overlook Koji Hiramatsu for so long (in February it will be eight years of approximately 300 posts per year), but we did. Until now. We’re still recovering from the December frenzy and it’s time to wade though digital piles of year end numbers and obligations, … Continue reading Short & Sweet

A Soft Spot for Cedars

When is a Cedar not really a Cedar? Or does it even matter? Either way, this has to be one of the very best Northern white cedars we’ve seen yet. I’ve got a soft spot for Cedars, even when they’re really Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis – aka Northern white cedar – more below) and the one above is certainly no exception. I know I’ve seen it somewhere, but memory is elusive (74) and I know I’ll be embarrassed when you point it out (just heard from a couple bonsai friends north of the border – the artist is Brian Donnely of … Continue reading A Soft Spot for Cedars