Back Savers #4: Suthin’s Shohin

Suthin Sukosolvisit shows some serious stuff (sorry) with this powerful shohin (small bonsai) display. This type multi-tree display is the way shohin bonsai typically appear in judged shows. Check out Morten Albek’s Shohin Bonsai to see the rules (written and unwritten) for shohin display. Suthiin Sukosolvisit I’ve long been a fan of Suthin’s. Not just because of his shohin (though he is best known for those), but because he shows mastery across a range of bonsai sizes and styles. Still, shohin is what this post is about, and when it comes to shohin, Suthin is one of the best artists … Continue reading Back Savers #4: Suthin’s Shohin

Heat, Watering & A Bonsai Story

A set up like this will come in handy if you live out west right now. Back here in the northeast, we’ve barely had to uncoil ours so far this summer. This image is from our Juniper book. I never miss Michael Hagedorn’s posts on Crataegus Bonsai. He’s always got something useful to say and he’s a natural story teller (check out Post-Dated – The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk if you’re from Missouri, or just a show-me kind of person). Michael’s last two posts are prompted by the heat wave out west. One is a very timely tip … Continue reading Heat, Watering & A Bonsai Story

Green Workshop: Yet Another Watering Problem

Tomohiro Masumi watering Shohin bonsai at Koju-en in Kyoto. From Shohin Bonsai by Morten Albek. Yet Another Watering Problem… The following is by Michael Hagedorn from his website Crataegus Bonsai. Probably the worst thing we might encounter when we have a hose in our hand is a tree that, when we think about it, has not dried out in three days of sunny summer weather. That ought to send off all kinds of alarm bells in your head. If none go off, install some.

KoB Shohin Willow Leaf Ficus by Robert Kempinski

Robert Kempinski (author of Introduction to Bonsai) has an excellent article at Knowledge of Bonsai on Shohin Willow Leaf Ficus (the photo above was borrowed from the article). Check it and a slew of other good stuff out, including a revealing exposé on nasty (but beautifully photographed) little aphids by Heather Hartman. While you are at it, take a look at two related books we offer: Shohin Bonsai by Morten Albek (Stone Lantern Publishing), and Ficus: The Exotic Bonsai by Jerry Meislik (Devonshire Gardens Ltd.).

Contest #4: Winner, Answer, Link & More

Here’s another shot of the man and the tree. Both are very impressive in their own way, though neither provided much mystery, at least for those of you who responded. BTW: here’s where we borrowed this photo and the photo that appears in contest #4. The winner… … is John Callaway. John wasn’t the only one to get it right, but he was the first one to get it right. The man… …is Mr. California Juniper, Harry Hirao. The tree… …is (appropriately) a California juniper. The botanical name is Juniperus californica. And the source… …is Kofu Review; Kofu Bonsai Kai. … Continue reading Contest #4: Winner, Answer, Link & More

Contest #4: Who & What

Win a $25 Gift Certificate from Stone Lantern The first person to properly identify the man in the red apron and the botanical name (genus and species) of the monster tree in the photo above, will win a $25.00 gift certificate from Stone Lantern. When we have a winner, we’ll post the site (with link) where we found the photo.

Vacation Gallery: Enjoy, I’ll Be Back July 2nd

This Trident maple penjing was designed by Quingquan Zhao in 2001 at the Mid Atlantic Bonsai show. It was purchased by Dr. McNear and given to National Bonsai Foundation in honor of his daughter Emily Jane McNear. It reside at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington DC.

Pests #2: Controlling Scale by Michael Hagedorn

These little critters with their protective helmet-like shields are just one variety of the approximately 8,000 species of scale. Though not all are harmful to your bonsai, the ones that are, need to be taken seriously. Here’s what Michael Hagedorn has to say about scale They’re here again…scale are emerging from their eggs underneath their shields, and beginning to crawl. This is the time to control them. If we sprayed during the winter we wasted insecticide on protected eggs. In June they mature and begin moving around the plant, and can be controlled with oils. All-season oil or Neem oil … Continue reading Pests #2: Controlling Scale by Michael Hagedorn

360° Bonsai Down Under

You can view this striking Satsuki azalea by Si Van Nguyen in all its glory from all 360° on ausbonsai.com. Recently Steve Hantos alerted me to a great feature on ausbonsai.com. All you have to do is go there, drag your cursor over the image, and viola! you’ve got 360° bonsai. Here’s a cascade juniper by Steve.

Green Workshop: A Simple Wiring Video

If you’re new to bonsai and want to get started using wire, this video by Lindasy Farr of Bonsai Farm (on YouTube) offers a simple, clear lesson.