NEW Bonsai Book

Finally! A new Tropical Bonsai book. By Pedro Morales, long-time professional bonsai grower, teacher and author. If you live in the tropics or sub-tropics (much of Florida and southern California are sub-tropical), then you can enjoy a whole range of trees that the rest of us can enjoy only if we own a greenhouse, or if we have enough light (natural or artificial or both) and other positive conditions for growing indoor plants (good air circulation and some humidity don’t hurt). The best way to do this is to keep your tropical trees outdoors when temperatures allow and bring them … Continue reading NEW Bonsai Book

Not Shimpaku

Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper by Michael Sullivan. From the 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Album (apologies for the fuzzy scan). One thing that stands out is how a combination of small touches soften the long, mostly straight, untapered trunk. First there’s the irregular pot which helps emphasize the small irregularities in the trunk. Then there’s the shari (deadwood strip) that adds movement and interest all the way up the trunk. Finally there’s the surprising little jin at the top of the trunk that further enhances the sense of movement (and adds a touch of humor). Japanese Garden Juniper bonsai Shimpaku … Continue reading Not Shimpaku

Et Tu Ken To?

Precision. It’s very small and it’s made of wire, yet it’s clear that it’s a deciduous tree in fall color. I borrowed this photo from Ken To’s home page. It’s cropped for a closer view. The uncropped original with the photographer’s signature is below. As long as were on the subject of miniature sculptures and not forgetting our mission, it seems like a good time to revisit Ken To and his wondrous wee wire creations. Rather than going to the trouble of actually thinking and writing, here’s some text that I lifted from Katie Hosmer at My Modern Met. “To’s … Continue reading Et Tu Ken To?

A Break With a Tradition Over Four Years in the Making

The beginning of the end? Or just a moment’s break with a tradition that’s been well over four years in the making? What I’m trying to say is; we’ve never led a post with a bird (Sand Hill Crane?). In fact you’d be hard presses to find a post that doesn’t start with a bonsai. Henk Fresen’s bronze sculptures (and his bonsai) have been featured on European bonsai blogs for a while, but he doesn’t seem to be that well known in the U.S. bonsai community. We’ll let you decide if this has been an oversight or if bronze miniatures … Continue reading A Break With a Tradition Over Four Years in the Making

Fall Color & More Bonsai Events

I found this brilliant Rockspray Cotoneaster by searching fall bonsai color. Turns out that, though I must admit that I didn’t recognize it (this doesn’t bode well), it appeared right here on Bonsai Bark way back in 2009. Anyway, not only is it striking with it’s hundreds of multi-hued little leaves, but it just so happens that it’s belongs to Bill Valavanis who is hosting a big event this weekend (see below). Not to rush things, but for some of us fall has already insinuated its way into our thoughts and conversations (last night it was 36F here). Often these … Continue reading Fall Color & More Bonsai Events

Robert Steven, 2 Trunks & 3 Moose

A simulation by Robert Steven based on two Siberian larch submitted by Kristin Wood. Robert’s handiwork combined with the rough, richly colored bark, sweet little cones, brilliant moss and just right container, makes for a very attractive naturalistic bonsai. If you have two trees, neither of which has too much promise as a single bonsai, sometimes the best solution is to combine them. Of course some vision and skill never hurts, but really, with just a little patience and willingness to experiment, you might be surprised at the results. In this case, the person doing the combining (simulated) has more … Continue reading Robert Steven, 2 Trunks & 3 Moose

Slow Down & Stop Thinking So Much

Michael Hagedorn reworked this collected Sierra juniper (grafted with shimpaku) in a half-day refinement session at the Weyerhaeuser collection in Federal Way, Washington, way back in 2009. The before photo is below. It’s Labor Day here in the U.S. A day when we celebrate working by not working (that’s not really the whole story, but it makes for a good line). Anyway, in the spirit of not working, I thought we’d dig back into the archives and regale you with yet another rerun. But it’s not just any old rerun. It’s a rerun with a message that goes well beyond … Continue reading Slow Down & Stop Thinking So Much

360 Degree Bonsai (Second Try)

This front view of a root-over-rock Trident maple is one of a whole series of views you can enjoy on the Northern Ireland Bonsai Society website. We had some problems with links to the version of this when we posted it yesterday. My guess is that the degree mark in 360° Bonsai is the issue, so we change the title to 360 Degree Bonsai. We won’t know if it works until we actually post it, so please don’t panic if you see what looks like the same post twice. Back in pioneering days of this blog, we posted an image … Continue reading 360 Degree Bonsai (Second Try)

360 Degree Bonsai

This front view of a root-over-rock Trident maple is one of a whole series of views you can enjoy on the Northern Ireland Bonsai Society website. Back in pioneering days of this blog, we posted an image of a Satsuki azalea that was taken from a site that showed it in a way that seemed unique at the time; 360 degrees of spinning bonsai splendor. We couldn’t and still can’t show that here (WordPress is pretty basic), so we showed a couple still shots, offered a link (unfortunately no longer live) and moved on. Four and one half years later, … Continue reading 360 Degree Bonsai

Cutting Corners: Fall Transplanting

A freshly transplanted Black pine. The photo is from our Masters’ Series Pine book. Three’s a charm Much of what follows originally appeared in 2010 and much of that reappeared in 2012. Normally that would be enough, but because this one is so seasonally pertinent and because we have so many new readers, it’s worth at least one more shot. It’s also worth mentioning that we’ve added some new text and done some editing. Fall transplanting It’s the beginning of fall transplanting season here in the north country. One advantage to transplanting in the early fall is that when the … Continue reading Cutting Corners: Fall Transplanting