Copper Wire & Bonsai Books

This luscious Satsuki azalea is one of a multitude of remarkable bonsai photos from the very aptly named, Fine Bonsai, Art and Nature. This post, which happens to be a near perfect way to roll out a new book sale, is borrowed from February of this year. There’s a theme to this large gallery and a method to our madness. Most of the photos are from bonsai books that we sell and all our books are currently 25% off (plus and additional 10% orders 100.00 or more). Gardening books are also 25% off. You can find this somewhat unruly … Continue reading Copper Wire & Bonsai Books

A Post Dated Love Letter

We’ve featured this famous Hiroshima Japanese white pine before, but it’s never looked quite like this. The highlighted foliage takes on a life of its own, like wild junipers on a mountainside. This photo is one of many unusual and beautiful shots taken at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum by Stephen Voss. Yesterday it was a video to promote Stephen Voss’ Kickstarter campaign for his upcoming book (if enough of us chip in it’s a sure thing). Today it’s just a few of Stephen’s stark yet rich and evocative stills from the U.S. Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Enjoy! The … Continue reading A Post Dated Love Letter

Bonsai In Training

This ‘great and beautiful’ video by Stephen Vos is a must watch for any serious bonsai artist or enthusiast. Stephen Voss’ video speaks for itself, so normally we would leave it at that. However, we almost never miss a chance to quote the informed and always skillfully written words of our friend Michael Hagedorn (the Bonsai Village guy and superb American bonsai artist, teacher and author). In Michael’s own words: “My friend Stephen Voss has embarked on a great and beautiful project, a book of fine art photographs of bonsai. He’s running a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the book, … Continue reading Bonsai In Training

Slow Down & Take a Bonsai Tour

Michael Hagedorn reworked this Sierra juniper (grafted with shimpaku) in a refinement session at the Weyerhaeuser bonsai collection (now the Pacific Bonsai Museum), way back in 2009. The before photo is below. This is the third time for this post (nonwithstanding some key changes and additions). And though today is not yet Labor Day, it is Labor Day weekend. Time to chill with family, friends and late summer bonsai chores. It’s rare to find writing that explores our thoughts when we work on our bonsai. So I was surprised and delighted when I read Michael Hagedorn’s post on Crataegus Bonsai, … Continue reading Slow Down & Take a Bonsai Tour

Multiple Trunks Sharing a Single Root Stystem – Clump Style Bonsai Forests

We found this extraordinary clump style deciduous bonsai on Bonsai Nakayoshi. They don’t give a variety. You can imagine that all the smaller trunks started as suckers on the roots of the main tree (you could also imagine that they started from seeds dropped by the main tree; in which case this would not qualify as a clump style bonsai). We’ve been discussing forest bonsai for a while now without mentioning clump style (Japanese: Kabudachi or Kabubuki) . Rather than boring you with my take on clumps, here’s something that I lifted from ofBONSAI Magazine: “Clump style bonsai should have … Continue reading Multiple Trunks Sharing a Single Root Stystem – Clump Style Bonsai Forests

It Takes a Bonsai Village

Not in its pot yet and not a perfect photo, but still…! It’s a Rocky Mountain juniper from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai portfolio. While we’re in Portland (see yesterday’s post) we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the Portland Bonsai Village. In fact, it would almost criminal and an insult to our friend Michael Hagedorn if we didn’t clue you in. So, click this link and consider yourself clued… and while you’re in Portland at the Cup, hop on board (bus below). Skip this paragraph unless you’re a fan of self flagellation. Sometimes I amaze myself at just how dense … Continue reading It Takes a Bonsai Village

Artisans Cup – an Inspirational Bonsai Event that You Will Remember for the Rest of Your Life

Announcing the exhibitors. From the Artisans Cup blog. Stick: Awhile ago we posted “What if you woke up on September 25th and realized that you’re not at the Artisans Cup?” An unabashed scare tactic. Problem is, some of you don’t scare all that easily, so we’ll switch from stick to carrot. Carrot: If this post convinces you to go, you will be eternally grateful. Even if you’ve already made up your mind (or better yet, already registered) you will be delighted you decided to go to the Artisans Cup. It’s the first of its kind and promises to be an … Continue reading Artisans Cup – an Inspirational Bonsai Event that You Will Remember for the Rest of Your Life

The Sun Almost Never Gets Too Hot Here in Northern Vermont, but It Just Might Where You Live

Deciduous Award at the 2012 U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition for the Finest Deciduous Bonsai. It’s a Japanese Maple by Suthin Sukolosovisit of Royal Bonsai. It has nothing to do with the topic of this post, at least directly, but the 3rd (2012) U.S. National Bonsai Exhibiton Album and all of our other books are now on special at Stone Lantern. Michael’s font of bonsai wisdom: The following very useful piece of summer advice is by Michael Hagedorn from his Crataegus Bonsai. When the sun gets too hot… July 16, 2015 by Crataegus “There are various ways of helping our bonsai … Continue reading The Sun Almost Never Gets Too Hot Here in Northern Vermont, but It Just Might Where You Live

Rich in Bonsai Wisdom & Advanced How-to Articles

Eric Schrader’s caption for this photo reads: “At Ryan Neil’s place the Ponderosa were all about the twists and deadwood.” Ryan Neil is the artist behind the wonders of Bonsai Mirai and Eric Schrader is a five star bonsai blogger. I just discovered a phenomenal bonsai blog. It’s called phutu and it belongs to Eric Schrader (Eric lives in San Francisco and is involved in the Bonsai Society of San Francisco as a volunteer and teacher). I don’t understand how I missed phutu for so long, especially considering Eric has been posting regularly since 2003. I encourage you to pay … Continue reading Rich in Bonsai Wisdom & Advanced How-to Articles

Remarkable Bonsai, Questionable Habits & Dubious Appetites

This luscious Satsuki azalea is one of a multitude of exquisite bonsai photos from the very aptly named, Fine Bonsai, Art and Nature. We don’t normally resurrect posts from just a few months ago, but there’s a method to our madness. Part of this is method is simply continuing to present the best bonsai we can find for your enjoyment. The other part is… You might want to fast forward this paragraph … we have to satisfy our sponsor with his questionable habits and dubious appetites. For this and other more practical reasons, we like to stimulate your appetite for … Continue reading Remarkable Bonsai, Questionable Habits & Dubious Appetites