Cuttings

A Prize Winning Bonsai & a Superstar Bonsai Teacher

Boon Manakitivipart’s Itoigawa Sargent Juniper that won the Finest Medium Size Bonsai award at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. Here’s a tree you couldn’t miss. It stood as a lone bonsai at the edge of the suiseki section. A magnetizing presence, visible from a distance. A prime spot for a prime tree. The more I look at this tree, the more I like it. But rather than go into specifics (we’ll leave that to you), I’ll just relate a quick story…. While I was admiring this tree, Boon, the artist himself, walked by. I said something like ‘great tree, … Continue reading A Prize Winning Bonsai & a Superstar Bonsai Teacher

A Powerful Colorado Blue Spruce Bonsai & Its Story of Age & Hardship

This gnarled old Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) won the prize for the Finest All American composition at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It belongs to Jason Eider. I borrowed the photos shown here from Oscar of Bonsai Empire. Moving along with our leisurely journey through the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition’s prize winning bonsai. Continued below…. A quick reminder about our 20% to 30% off Site Wide Sale 20% to 30% off includes everything* we offer including our vast selection of Bonsai Tools   The powerful old shari with its marks of age and abuse. I almost walked by … Continue reading A Powerful Colorado Blue Spruce Bonsai & Its Story of Age & Hardship

A Dynamic Masterpiece by a Great Bonsai Artist

Finest Japanese Bonsai display. Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) by Suthin Sukolosovisit. I’m not sure what makes this rugged rock root-on-rock planting a Japanese Bonsai display. I am sure however, that it is a magnificent bonsai by one of our greatest bonsai artists. But then, those of us who have been paying attention, have come to expect masterpieces like this from Suthin.* I borrowed this photo from Oscar at Bonsai Empire.** Today I’d like to show you the winner of the prize for the Finest Japanese Bonsai display at the just completed 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It belongs to … Continue reading A Dynamic Masterpiece by a Great Bonsai Artist

The 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition – Great Trees, Good People & the Real Winner Behind It All

First prize, the Finest Bonsai at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It’s a Mountain Hemlock,(Tsuga mertensiana) that belongs to Eric Schikowski. Photo courtesy of Bill Valavanis. Before we present the rest of the prize winning bonsai, I’d like to say something about first impressions and most importantly, the real winner of the Show, Bill Valavanis. Just home from the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition and sorting through memories and notes while flashing mental images of great trees, good people and a still palpable sense of excitement. It will take a while to sort things out, so more to come… … Continue reading The 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition – Great Trees, Good People & the Real Winner Behind It All

Off to Rochester & Good News from Stone Lantern

This Nagasaki Crabapple is from the cover of the 1st U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition album (out of print, but we still have 3 & 4). It belongs to Harvey Carapella of Rochester NY. The 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, a colossal event in our world is this weekend. In a few hours I’ll throw my bags in my car and head west to Rochester. I hope to see you there. If you’re the impulsive type (or just a passionate bonsai lover) and you’re within a days drive or so, it’s not too late to come. You don’t need to preregister. … Continue reading Off to Rochester & Good News from Stone Lantern

Four Big Sales End Tonight – Tomorrow It’s off to the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition

This tropical Dwarf black olive (Bucida spinosa) with its melted wax feel and gaping trunk is a truly unique tree that only Mother Nature (and Mary Madison’s skilled hands) could create. It’s from the 2008, 1st U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition album (out of print, but we still have 3 & 4). The 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, a colossal event in our world is this weekend. Later today I’ll pack my bags and tomorrow I’ll point my car west to Rochester. I hope to see you there. Continued below… Big Bonsai Wire & Tool Sales end tonight at 11:59pm EDT … Continue reading Four Big Sales End Tonight – Tomorrow It’s off to the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition

The Delights of the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition – Any short term inconvenience will be forgotten when you walk through the door and are swept away by the brilliance & power of the event

I borrowed this brilliant tricolor Toyo nishiki flowering quince from Bill Valavanis, the driving force behind the success of the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibitions. You have three days to change your plans and throw your life into momentary chaos so you can enjoy the delights of  the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. The disruption to you routine may cause a little short term inconvenience (and perhaps the disapproval and even derision of your significant other) but all that will be forgotten when you walk through the door and are swept away by the brilliance and power of the event. Really! … Continue reading The Delights of the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition – Any short term inconvenience will be forgotten when you walk through the door and are swept away by the brilliance & power of the event

Handle with Care & Only When Sober

I’m not sure how Nacho Marin did this. Carefully I suppose. His caption reads: “Ceiba Stick, drunk, choricia…. 65 cm (25.5″)” BTW, drunk refers to drunken stick (palo borracho*) a common name for Ceiba, and not, you can assume, to Nacho’s condition while working on the tree. I don’t know anything about Ceiba speciosa (aka Chorisia or Silk floss tree) beyond what I just read on Wikipedia. And though you might wonder why anyone would bother to bonsai such a difficult tree, there’s always the challenge that some humans seem to thrive on and perhaps there’s an interest in novelty … Continue reading Handle with Care & Only When Sober

The Best Bonsai Tell Stories

The smaller trunk was blown over in storm and saved when it landed on a tiny rock island. Fortunately, just enough of the roots are intact and a surviving branch has grown up to become the new crown. One of several stories told by this remarkable planting. The artist is Nacho Marin, a frequent presence here on Bark. The best bonsai tell stories. Usually it’s about hostile environments and hardships, though you could have a robust and stately tree that speaks of a more gentle climate and easy living. In the case of the tree above, you can see tough … Continue reading The Best Bonsai Tell Stories

See You at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition

I borrowed this dramatic Korean hornbeam from Bill Valavanis, the driving force behind the success of the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibitions. If you’re not planning on visiting the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, you have one week to change your mind and rearrange you life so you can be there. I can say with complete confidence that the 5th will be the best yet (they get better each time) and that the 4th was a breakthrough U.S. bonsai extravaganza. See you there! Bill’s famous Koto-hime Japanese maple. This brilliant tricolor Toyo nishiki flowering quince also belongs to Bill. If you’re … Continue reading See You at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition