Moon Pine & a Masterful Moment

I like everything about this Japanese white pine and its Moon pot. Except maybe the clutter on the left, the color was enhanced a bit too much, no variety is given and there’s no attribution. Still, it’s a beautiful bonsai that I’m happy to share. As the whole world migrates to social media, so goes bonsai. People and groups that used to have websites and blogs now appear only on facebook. Which is where I found the photos shown here and where we get about half the material for this blog (which also appears on facebook, of course). In this … Continue reading Moon Pine & a Masterful Moment

Modern Bonsai Practice

The cover of a brand new and up-to-date bonsai book by Larry Morton that features the latest in bonsai horticultural practices and a bonus gallery of 165 photos of some of Walter Pall’s best bonsai. Walter Pall has been advocating applying modern horticultural knowledge and techniques to our bonsai, rather than relying only on what has been passed down through the generations. This can be accomplished without disregarding the wisdom of the old ways while paying close attention to what science now knows about growing plants. With a mind open to the latest knowledge and a willingness to experiment, you … Continue reading Modern Bonsai Practice

Still More Sacrificing & Bonsai Eccentricities

Sometimes it’s helpful to break a bonsai down into its constituent parts. What you might see in this case, is a somewhat classical root-over-rock Trident maple bonsai accentuated by two rather long, undulating branches on either side. For some of us, there might be a temptation to cut them off; to revert to something safer and more recognizable as bonsai. But sometimes it’s a good idea to think twice before acting. You can always cut a branch off later, but you can’t put it back on. The photo is from the National Bonsai Foundation’s 2013 calendar. At least two points … Continue reading Still More Sacrificing & Bonsai Eccentricities

More Sacrificing – No Ceremonial Drums, Just Sharp Shears Required

The styling on this Juniper is almost done (at least for now). The exception is the sacrifice branch on the top. The artist, Mr Toshinori Suzuki, has decided to leave it on to strengthen the tree’s apex. When he is satisfied with the apex, he’ll sacrifice the branch. No ceremonial drums, just sharp shears required. Most trees are apically dominant (most of the tree’s energy and thus growth, tends to flow up into the apex). However, most junipers, including this one, are laterally dominant (most of the energy flows into lower lateral branches). In order to develop a new apex … Continue reading More Sacrificing – No Ceremonial Drums, Just Sharp Shears Required

Sacrificing for Better Bonsai

The huge girth and dramatic taper on this powerful Satsuki azalea, were achieved primarily through the use of sacrifice branches. In fact, some are still being employed to help thicken the primary branches. This photo is from The Magician: The Bonsai Art of Kimura 2, by Stone Lantern Publishing. I just received an email from Morten Albek about a new post on sacrifice branches on his Shohin Bonsai blog (I pity the poor English teacher reading this). NOTE: it was just pointed out to me that this reads as though I am mocking Morten’s English, but what I was trying … Continue reading Sacrificing for Better Bonsai

Bonsai Wizardry in Portland (again)

Looking up from below. This is a cropped version of a photo taken by Greg Brenden at the opening of American Bonsai Mirai exhibit at the Wieden & Kennedy gallery in Portland Oregon. Greg’s uncropped photo is below. Another Bonsai Mirai groundbreaking public event. Greg Brenden attended the opening of American Bonsai Mirai– Wieden & Kennedy gallery in Portland Oregon and posted these photos. I’ve done a little cropping to bring the trees a little closer. Greg’s original photos are below (plus one from Ryan Neil that gives a unique view of the exhibit). Greg Brenden’s uncropped original. I like … Continue reading Bonsai Wizardry in Portland (again)

Defoliation – Before & After

A Shohin Trident maple before & after defoliation by Harry Harrington. Just to give you some perspective, this sturdy little tree is only 8″ (20cm) high. It’s time to defoliate. Early summer heat is causing leaves to become oversized. With some deciduous bonsai (especially maples) defoliation works wonders. Not only are the new leaves smaller, but they tend to produce better fall color. Most defoliation is a one-time-per-summer, per-tree occasion. If you live where the summers are very long, it’s possible to defoliate twice in one summer.* Be careful though. If there isn’t enough time to fully recover before cold … Continue reading Defoliation – Before & After

Wiring Your Bonsai – Copper or Aluminum?

Like most bonsai, this one has been wired (if you take a close look you’ll see some wire). It’s a collected California juniper by Warren Hill, from the gallery section of our Masters Series Juniper Book (now 25% off our already discounted prices). It’s time to reach back into our archives once again (from May, 2013 with some changes). Most bonsai are wired. In fact, bonsai that have been around for a long time may have been wired repeatedly. There are reasons for this, not the least of which is, it is often difficult to get decent results without wire. … Continue reading Wiring Your Bonsai – Copper or Aluminum?

Still Bonsai Crazy

After Uchi-san’s magic touch. Here’s what Mark Fields has to say about this tree: “Uchi-San just finished up styling the big taxus. It took about 16 hours to complete. Ready for the big show now! We know the pot is too big for the tree. We will repot in spring.” This post originally appeared in October, 2014. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tree styled like this one. But then, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a bonsai artist quite like Bonsai Crazy Uchi. Mark Fields is an American bonsai artist and owner of Bonsai By Fields in Greenwood … Continue reading Still Bonsai Crazy

Before & After – Yearly Work on any Juniper

Before and after on cleanup day. It’s a Tam juniper (Juniperus sabina ‘Tamariscifolia) that belongs to Michael Hagedorn. Here’s copy about the tree shown above that I lifted from Michael Horndorn’s Crataegus Bonsai: “The day these photos were taken was a basic ‘clean up day’ for the juniper—no wire was applied, removing only old and dangling foliage and shortening shoots that were overlong, and also sanding the bark, cleaning deadwood, and applying lime sulfur. This is yearly work on any juniper.” It’s a little hard to fathom that the tree above is the exact same variety as this low … Continue reading Before & After – Yearly Work on any Juniper