Larch Forest, Twenty Years from Zero

This simple lovely Larch forest belongs to Mariusz Folda. Here’s his caption… “Larix decidua – European Larch. About 20 years ago I made cuttings from a forest larix. I recently noticed that the bark starts to be flaky on the cuttings … am I getting older ;))) ?? There is something very very special to start something from 0 and stick with it. Every time I look at the so simple composition I remind mine self to enjoy what I have. Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude. We must never forget to love and enjoy our trees, even so simple as this forest. Isn’t … Continue reading Larch Forest, Twenty Years from Zero

Bonsai Perfection, 150 Years Old

Borrowed this and the other photos you see here from Michael Bonsai. His caption reads simply… “Goyomatsu – 150 years old” Goyomatsu translates as white pine (goyo is white five needle (thanks to Bill Valavanis) and matsu is pine) In this case, it’s Japanese white pine I don’t know much about this tree, other than it’s a nine trunk Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora) that Michael Bonsai posted, and that it’s among the finest examples of Japanese white pine multiple trunk bonsai I’ve seen. 30% to 50% off BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL 30% TO 50% OFF LIST PRICES ALL BONSAI TOOLS & TOOL KITS plus an extra 5% off … Continue reading Bonsai Perfection, 150 Years Old

This One Is For Yew

We have no way of knowing how much of this impressive deadwood is due to natural forces over a very long time, or the relatively sudden hand of man. Maybe a bit of both. We do know that’s it’s Yew (Taxus) but do not know which species. Today’s one tree post is from Robert Pressler‘s timeline. The caption states simply… “Will Baddeley this one is for yew.” Robert is the owner of Kimura Bonsai and Landscape Nursery in Los Angeles and Will is a well known bonsai artist and teacher who lives in the U.K. 30% to 50% off BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL 30% TO 50% OFF … Continue reading This One Is For Yew

Black Bonsai Friday, Small Bonsai Business Saturday & Cyber Monday Too

30% to 50% off BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL 30% to 50% OFF LIST PRICES ALL BONSAI TOOLS & TOOL KITS plus an extra 5% off all orders 150.00 or more Roshi, Koyo, Bonsai Aesthetics, Yoshiaki, Okatsune & more 5 Days Only – Specials End Tuesday, Nov 28th at 11:59pm EST SPECIAL INCLUDES OUR LARGE SELECTION OF QUALITY BONSAI TOOL KITS 5 Days Only – Specials End Tuesday, Nov 28th at 11:59pm EST BONSAI WIRE SPECIAL All Wire Deeply Discounted Wire Special Includes Bonsai Aesthetics 100 gram rolls Only 2.95 500 gram (1.1 lb) rolls Only 8.95 1 Kilo (2.2 lb) … Continue reading Black Bonsai Friday, Small Bonsai Business Saturday & Cyber Monday Too

One of a Kind Bonsai

This remarkable, one-of-a-kind tree belongs to Colin Lewis. Here’s his caption:. “Colorado blue spruce, acquired 2008 from Harold Sasaki. Styled 2011-2012. Pot custom made by my old friend Dan Barton, 2013. I’m letting it grow this year to refresh some old congested areas…” I’m on the other coast this week visiting family for Thanksgiving. It also happens to be my birthday today. Something I wouldn’t normally mention, but it’s been three quarters of a century and I’m just a little amazed and perplexed by the whole process and not altogether sure how I got this far. Anyway, I’m taking a … Continue reading One of a Kind Bonsai

Bonsai Forest, Bonsai Books, Bonsai Tools, Green T

This striking Sakhalin spruce (Picea Glehnii) forest belongs to Luis Vallejo. Seems like every forth post these days features Luis Vallejo’s trees. This is no accident; Luis consistently puts up great trees that are beautifully photographed. This makes my job easy. As is usually the case, the original photo (just below) came from Luis’ timeline. Huuuge Bonsai Book Special 20% TO 70% OFF LIST PRICES ON ALL BOOKS includes Japanese Garden Books Choose from over 50 Bonsai & Japanese Garden Books and enrich you skills and understanding this special ends Friday, Nov 24 at 11:59pm EST Here’s the original photo, exactly the way we found … Continue reading Bonsai Forest, Bonsai Books, Bonsai Tools, Green T

Bonsai Beasts of the Southern Wild

Beast of the Southern Wild. We don’t know the dimensions of this monster, but we know its name. It’s a Pithecellobium unguis (Catclaw black bead), a genus and species completely new to us (and probably new to you too). As you can see, this particular bonsai is about as unique as they get with nature doing most of the work and Nacho Marin providing the finishing touches. Getting ready to head out of town for a little mixed R&R and work (there’s always some work), so we’ll take a shortcut today. This post originally appeared in February, 2015, though from where we sit now, it … Continue reading Bonsai Beasts of the Southern Wild

The World’s Largest Bonsai?

That’s a human arm resting on the side of the pot. I don’t know what kind of tree it is, but based on the trunk and nebari, I might guess it’s a Ficus of some sort. I also don’t know where this monster tree resides. However, I do know who the hand and arm belong to. His name is Enrique Castaño, the author of Botany for Bonsai, The Science Behind the Art (Stone Lantern & Haskill Creek). The photo is from Enrique’s timeline. No information about the tree is provided. Is there a size limit on bonsai? According to Wikipedia, the … Continue reading The World’s Largest Bonsai?

A Bonsai Life

This prize winning Ficus neriifolia belongs to Ed Trout. I like its relaxed, almost sensuous look. Or if you’re not into anthropomorphizing bonsai, you might just notice its wide stable nebari and its stout well tapered trunk and leave it at that. All the photos in this post are from Bonsai Mary. In keeping with our tropical theme from yesterday and our mention of Mary Miller (Bonsai Mary) from the day before, I dug up this up from our archives (April, 2010, with some editing today) Mary Miller’s years of experience as a bonsai teacher, author and grower come together very nicely in her Bonsai … Continue reading A Bonsai Life

Tropical Bonsai Before & After by Robert Steven

Before and after by Robert Steven. The before is a photo that was submitted to Robert by David Royinsyah. The after is a digital simulation by Robert. The tree is a Tamarindus indica, a type of tropical legume. The photos are from the Black Scissors Community. It has been a while since we posted one of Robert Steven’s simulated before and after photos. In addition to being one of the foremost bonsai artists in the world, Robert is a bonsai teacher, so his before and afters are always information rich, with comments about style, technique, horticultural considerations and even bonsai history. Continued below… Brand … Continue reading Tropical Bonsai Before & After by Robert Steven