Styling

Dance, People, Bird & Other Innovative Bonsai

Selecting a lead tree isn’t always easy. Especially with so many good bonsai to choose from. I settled on this one partly because it’s a full cascade and good full cascade bonsai aren’t that common, and partly because of the tree’s overall relaxed feel; the unusual way the foliage seems draped across the top and just how loose all the foliage hangs. Not to say that its wild shape and extraordinary deadwood aren’t enough to make this tree worthy. But then most of Gede Merte’s bonsai show wild shapes and extraordinary deadwood. The tree is Pemphis acidula. A common plant … Continue reading Dance, People, Bird & Other Innovative Bonsai

Root Over Rock Bonsai with Sherlock Holmes

Not exactly root-over-rock, but more like root-next-to-small-rock. Still, simplicity contrasted with a wild shape and texture make for a striking bonsai. By the way, I did not commit the sin of chopping off the pot, though I did adjust the image to take out background noise. All three photos shown here were lifted a social meadia post titled ‘Bonsai Indonesia‘ by Silky Jemiran. Silky lists the owner of this tree as Zhylonk Kiakiz Alfarizhy. Sometimes tracking down the real owner of a bonsai that appears on social media requires the imagination and determination of a Sherlock Holmes. Even then, you … Continue reading Root Over Rock Bonsai with Sherlock Holmes

Root-Over-Rock Bonsai

No source is given for this colorful ‘Seki-joju’ Satsuki Azalea. My best guess is that the tree and photo are originally from Japan; it’s not uncommon for Japanese trees to remain unattributed (this is often the case in the Japanese gallery section in Bonsai Today magazine back issues). We found the photo on Bonsai Addicted’s timeline. The othe day we featured a magnificent root-over-rock bonsai from the Philipines that we borrowed from Robert Steven’s timeline and that I mistakenly attributed to Robert. My apologies to the actual artist Marvin Besa, and thanks to Tab Aquino for cluing us in. Anyway, … Continue reading Root-Over-Rock Bonsai

“One Quick Glance at this Tree Brought Me to a State of Nirvana”

A close up of a rather spectacular root-over-rock bonsai by Robert Steven (the entire planting is just below). Here’s our original caption (from May, 2016)… Robert Steven has done it again. This time it’s a perfect root-over-rock bonsai. Here’s what Charles Bevan has to say about it: “This is unbelievably perfect. One quick glance at this tree brought me to a state of nirvana.” The three trees shown here are from Robert Steven’s timeline. No varieties given, and though we would rather know what they are, we can still enjoy simple bonsai beauty, with or without a name. We just … Continue reading “One Quick Glance at this Tree Brought Me to a State of Nirvana”

Maple Kissing the Rock (Arce Besando La Roca)

That’s a rock sticking out on the left side of this Trident maple. According to Juan Andrade, the maple is kissing the rock (Arce “besando” la roca) We’ve been posting recurring themes these days. For example we’ve run a whole string of Before & Afters lately. Now with yesterday (another before & after) and today, the new binding factor is Juan Andrade. Juan is one of a whole host of young Western apprentices (Costa Rica in Juan’s case) who are studying or have studied in Japan. The photos and quotes shown here are from Juan’s timeline NEW SPECIAL Watering Cans … Continue reading Maple Kissing the Rock (Arce Besando La Roca)

Before, During & After – Another Radical Bonsai Transformation

Before and after. This unusual Japanese white pine, with three trunks merging to give the appearance of one thicker trunk is by Juan Andrade. Continuing with our Before and After series, here’s one of my favorites, dug up from our archives (October, 2013). It’s a Japanese white pine transformation that is so unusual, with results so striking and unique, that… well, you can see for yourself. The artist, Juan Andrade is one of a whole host of young Western apprentices (Costa Rica in Juan’s case) who are studying or have studied in Japan. The before, during and after (antes, durante … Continue reading Before, During & After – Another Radical Bonsai Transformation

Before & After Bonsai – From Sow’s Ear to Silk Purse, a Remarkable 7 Year Transformation

Before and after of one Harry Harrington’s famous privets. Here’s Harry’s caption… “For completion, the large Privet bonsai defoliated, wood-hardened and re-styled last month, now back in leaf and ready to live out its days with its new owner near Birmingham (U.K.). Seen here in 2010 after I was given the tree when it was just a big lump of wood collected from a hedge, and now, 7 years later. Ligustrum ovalifolium/Privet bonsai, Height 16″/39cm, Trunk diameter 7″/17cm, Pot by Victor Harris of Erin Pottery” It’s amazing what seven years and a whole lot of skill and imagination can do. … Continue reading Before & After Bonsai – From Sow’s Ear to Silk Purse, a Remarkable 7 Year Transformation

Mame Master Haruyosi’s Sturdy Little Black Pines

The fingers belong to Haruyosi. As does this sturdy little Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine). And though I don’t know this for a fact, my best guess is that Haruyosi made the pot. Here’s Mame Master Haruyosi’s caption that appears with the first three photos shown here (from July 4th)…  “I worked on decandling of small Kuromatsu today. Now a typhoon is approaching here” (it hit Japan this week and caused severe flooding in the south) All four photos shown here are all from Haruyosi’s timeline. If you get a chance, it’s a click worth making. You might also want to … Continue reading Mame Master Haruyosi’s Sturdy Little Black Pines

Little Beans & Other Small Bonsai

I think this one qualifies as Mame (‘bean’ in Japanese), a common word for the smallest bonsai. Both the tree (Pyracatha) and pot are by Haruyosi. I’ve been thinking about starting another series of posts on Mame Master Haruyosi’s tiny bonsai. However,  there are too many obligations today and no time today to put together a new post. The solution? Another journey back in time. This one was originally posted in November, 2013. Deeply Discounted Bonsai Wire   1 Kilo (2.2 lb) Bonsai Wire now only 16.00 per roll You can never have too much wire and just in case … Continue reading Little Beans & Other Small Bonsai

Photographing Bonsai – Change Your Viewing Angle

This shot looking up into the tree accentuates the dynamic flow of the trunk and allows for a clear look at all its texture and other details. The artist, Mauro Stemberger doesn’t identify any of the trees shown here, but it’s safe to say Juniper with this one, though we won’t guess the species. All the photos shown here were posted by Mauro Stemberger under the title Change your viewing angle… In this case, the change involves a lower camera placement than what we are accustomed to. A placement that allows you to lookup into the tree in much the … Continue reading Photographing Bonsai – Change Your Viewing Angle