Bonsai Forests – Turntable, Sieve & Hand Tool Sale

We don’t know the source for this photo (Just heard this from Felix Laughlin…. “Wayne, the top photo of the forest of Chinese elms is from the North American Collection at the NB&PM, and was donated by Susanne Barrymore; it’s been in training since 1988”),but we do know that the trees are Chinese elms (Ulmus parviflora). Most forest plantings have a primary focal point, but in this case there are several trees competing for your eye. But no matter, the overall effect is one of unity, depth and naturalness; reminiscent of Live oaks in the California Coast Range. Forest plantings … Continue reading Bonsai Forests – Turntable, Sieve & Hand Tool Sale

Dynamic Show Stoppers & Other Brilliant Bonsai

This brilliant Satsuki azalea is from a 2015 Bay Area Satsuki Aikokai add (see below). Yesterday we featured some striking photos from the Golden State Bonsai Federation. Today we’ve got some even more striking photos from a 2015 post we did on GSBF. Continued below… Bonsai Tool Sale Ends Tomorrow Night 30% to 35% off Roshi BONSAI Tools Roshi Bonsai Tools are famous for precision cuts, durability, beauty & great prices Roshi Sale Ends tomorrow, Sunday, Feb 19th at 11:59pm EST This dynamic show stopper with its massive deadwood swirl is one of many large bonsai from the private … Continue reading Dynamic Show Stoppers & Other Brilliant Bonsai

Golden Bonsai Statements

Magnificence in miniature. This is one of the most striking mame (literally ‘bean’) bonsai I’ve seen in a long time. And I don’t think we need to say much about the pot, it can speak for itself. At a glance I’d guess this little bonsai is from Japan, but we can’t be sure without attribution. I found it at the Golden State Bonsai Federation.* Here’s part of their caption: “Steve DaSilva reminds all FBS (Fresno Bonsai Society) members that there will be four shohin bonsai workshops offered on Saturday, April 22nd, at the Koen-Nai fundraiser for the Clark Bonsai Collection…” … Continue reading Golden Bonsai Statements

Ferociously Contorted Scot’s Pine

Gabriel Romero Aguade says of this magnificent, ferociously contorted, Scot’s pine, “Maintenance work and small improvements in a pinus sylvestris from a client. Reposition the angle of planted, settlement of the low branch, cleaning of leaves and selection of outbreaks.” I’ve been seeing a lot of Gabriel Romero Aguade’s bonsai these days and every time I do, I think I should post some. Now, finally, the moment has arrived. Continued below… Fertilizer Sale Ends Tonight 25% off all Green Dream Organic Slow Release Pellets Sale ends tonight (Thursday) at 11:59pm EST Close up The artist with the tree. Though … Continue reading Ferociously Contorted Scot’s Pine

Exquisite Bonsai Stands & a Chance Worth Taking

Here’s David Knittle’s caption for this remarkable display: “Honduras rosewood table, 20″ x 8.5″ x 4″ high. It was built for this juniper rock planting displayed at the San Diego Bonsai Club’s Fall 2016 show.” It’s time to feature our fellow Vermonter, David Knittle and his exquisite bonsai stands. I’ve picked a few from David’s facebook photos. There’s a lot more where these came from. Continued below… NEW BONSAI TOOL SALE 25% to 30% off Roshi Tools Roshi Bonsai Tools are famous for precision cuts, durability, beauty & great prices 25% off 1-2 Roshi Tools 30% off 3 or more … Continue reading Exquisite Bonsai Stands & a Chance Worth Taking

Kokufu Bonsai Bones

We Borrowed this Hackberry from a new 2017 Kokufu post (part 1) on Bill Valavanis Bonsai blog. We’ve been borrowing from Bill Valavanis for the entire life of Bonsai Bark (8 years and counting). This time it’s some very impressive deciduous trees from the 2017 Kokufu Exhibition. For more trees from Kokufu (parts 1 & 2) and others from Bill’s recent trip to Japan, you could do a lot worse than a quick trip to Bill’s blog. Continued below… 20% to 30% off Kilo Rolls Bonsai Aesthetics Wire hesitate and lose This great Sale ends tomorrow night 20% off 1-5 … Continue reading Kokufu Bonsai Bones

Watering Tips – It’s Already Spring in San Diego

This old collected Rocky Mountain juniper is from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai portfolio. Even though some of us are in the midst of a vast frigid whiteness, others are experiencing the first signs of new growth (your bonsai, not you waistlines) with most of us soon to follow. So why not prepare? This post originally appeared in April, 2015. What follows has been lifted word for word, photo for photo from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai. We usually just borrow bits and pieces, so reprinting an entire borrowed post might be a first. Continued below… 20% to 30% off Kilo Rolls … Continue reading Watering Tips – It’s Already Spring in San Diego

Snowsai

I hate to say this, but I can’t find where I found this photo and the one just below. It’s sad coming from someone who preaches attribution and identification. Still, with or without, this shot is a perfect snow covered forest planting and the one below isn’t half bad either. It seems appropriate to feature snow covered bonsai given that we’re in the midst of an intense white weather event. Not that it matters that much to us Vermonters, but some of our neighbors are making a big fuss (map below). Continued below…. 25% to 30% off Kilo Rolls of … Continue reading Snowsai

The Foundations of Bonsai Vision and Artistry

Sabina juniper from Harry Harrington’s The Foundations of Bonsai (Stone Lantern Publishing North American edition). Harry’s caption reads: “This Sabina juniper was collected from altitude in Spain. It grew in thin stony soil and would have been covered in a thick layer of snow for 4 months each year. As a result, despite being at least 100 years old, it is naturally very small.” The pot is by Victor Harris of Erin Pottery. Height 6″ (15cm) Spread 16″ (41cm). The grainy effect is from our prehistoric scanner. The Foundations of Bonsai has arrived and all the pre-orders have been shipped. … Continue reading The Foundations of Bonsai Vision and Artistry

Best of Show Bonsai – part 2

Noelanders Trophy award; Best of Show. A Juniperus Sabina by Xavier Massanet. I’m sure someone will clue me in, but I’m a little confused about how there can be two Best of Show trees (see yesterday’s post). The first day of a quick two day escape, so we’ll make this short and sweet. Today we have the second Noelanders Trophy Best of Show Bonsai. As mentioned yesterday, thank you to Bonsai Empire for the exceptional photos and thanks also to Mark Noelanders for putting together a world class bonsai extravaganza. Continued below… Here’s the Wire Sale you’ve been waiting for… … Continue reading Best of Show Bonsai – part 2