Watering Bonsai by Installing Alarm Bells in Your Head

This Japanese white pine won the Prime Minister's Award at the 2005 Sakufu Ten Bonsai Exhibition. Though it has nothing more to do with watering than any other bonsai, the photo is from Michael Hagedorn's Crataegus Bonsai, as is the text below.

Yet Another Watering Problem…
The following is by Michael Hagedorn from his website Crataegus Bonsai.

“Probably the worst thing we might encounter when we have a hose in our hand is a tree that, when we think about it, has not dried out in three days of sunny summer weather. That ought to send off all kinds of alarm bells in your head. If none go off, install some.

“First of all, don’t water the tree if you want it to live. Secondly, place it in semi-shade and mist it frequently. The roots are not working, they are not drawing up moisture. Usually what has happened is root rot: the small roots got crispy dry, then they got waterlogged, and now the soil is staying waterlogged and everything that was living is slowly decomposing. This is like a heart that just stopped pumping and the medics are scrambling for the jump-start. If those small rootlets don’t start growing out again soon, the tree will die.

“Tip the pot up on a block to let the excess water run out the bottom of it. The pot must be kept a bit on the dry side, and water introduced by misting onto the leaves to get the tree going again.

“This is one of those cases where prevention is worth it’s weight in platinum. Don’t let your trees get COMPLETELY dry, and be ever alert to those that are not drying out as you would expect.

About Michael
Michael Hagedorn is an accomplished bonsai artist, teacher and author. For more of Michael’s insights, check out his excellent book, Post-Dated – The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk and be sure to visit his website.

Post-Dated. Michael Hagedorn's entertaining and enlightening story of a lost and found American bonsai apprentice in Japan.

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Tomohiro Masumi watering Shohin bonsai at Koju-en in Kyoto. From Shohin Bonsai by Morten Albek.

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Shohin Bonsai. The only English language book on the delights of small bonsai by Morten Albek (with a little help from yours truly).

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Whirlpool Dancer

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This wild looking Japanese white pine is called Whirlpool Dancer (no explanation necessary). Like many old top-tier yamadori bonsai, its controted shape and ample deadwood tell a story of hardship and survival . It first appeared in Bonsai Today magazine and later had a whole chapter devoted to it in our Pine book (Jewel to Whirlpool). The artist at the time was Tomio Yamada. It’s called Uzushio which as you might guess, means whirlpool. It currently resides at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum.

All three of the tree’s shown here have previously appeared on Bark and all three are so exceptional that they deserve to be shown again (and perhaps again).

Shungaku

This Japanese white pine shows a strong trunk that, like Whirlpool Dancer, tells a story of hardship and survival. Like most of the others at the Omiya Museum, it has a name: Shungaku (Shungaku was a historical figure, though my extensive 30 second research didn’t reveal much detail).

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jwp

Multiple trunk Japanese white pines are quite common. Though not as dramatic or old as the ones above, still it shows great movement and balance, with a nice light, almost floating effect. This one also resides at the Omiya Bonsai Museum. Rather than a name, the artist, Kenichi Abe, is listed with this tree.

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Walter’s Powerful Rough Bark Japanese Maple

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This powerful Rough Bark Japanese maple (Acer palmatum 'Arakawa') is approximately eighty years old and stands 70cm (almost 28") high. Walter Pall imported it from Japan this year as semi raw material. Walter has an excellent series of photos on the tree's transition since he received it.

We could devote all of Bonsai Bark to Walter Pall’s trees and seemingly never run out of material. But then, Walter is already doing that with his blog, his website and on facebook, so all we have to do to enjoy his bonsai wizardry, is occasionally touch in.

In case you don’t know Walter Pall, he identifies himself as an entertainer on facebook. There is truth to this according to people who have seen his demos, but he could have just as easily said ‘highly accomplished bonsai artist, educator, entrepreneur, promoter of the art and entertainer.’

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Bigger than you thought. Nothing like a little indicator of scale to put things in perspective. We're going to assume that those are normal size human hands. You can visit Walter Pall's blog for more photos of this and other remarkable bonsai.


This photo of our Masters Bonsai Soil appears on a post we did last year called Modern Masters Bonsai Soil. It included a treatise by Walter Pall on Feeding, Substrate (aka Soil) and Watering.

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How About Yew?

This rather spectacular, muscular Japanese yew resides at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in Saitama, Japan, along with numerous other top tier bonsai. The pot looks like it could be Tokoname. Though you can't see the back, it's possible that the single live vein in the front supports all of the foliage in the tree's impressively massive crown.

Apologies for the bad pun in the title. We’ll blame it on faulty wiring (of the physiological type rather than the bonsai type). While we’re at it here’s another bad Yew pun.

One of the great thing about Yews (Taxus) is they grow almost everywhere. Half the landscapes the Eastern U.S. (and other places) sport a yew or two. So it’s possible to find good ones for bonsai in your own front yard (suburban Yamadori). Or someone else’s front yard (just don’t get caught… just kidding).

Another great thing about yew is they are beautiful. Especially the bright yellow green new leaves and the cinnamon bark. And they take to bonsai culture like fish to water.

The only downside is the wood is exceptionally hard. This makes carving a challenging task. Even cutting larger branches can tax (no pun intended) you tools.

Rugged tree, rugged pot. It's hard to say if the two trunks share a single root system, but my guess is they do. Another possibility is that there is only one trunk that is fused higher up behind the foliage. Like the tree above (but very unlike the tree above) it's a Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata). It belongs to Walter Pall. It's 55cm (21.5") high and over 100 years old. The pot is by Walter Venne. The tree was originally collected in Korea.

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Every Day Is Bonsai Day and Today Is Mother’s Day

The sculpted look. This Mugo pine by Mother Nature and Georg Reinhard combines wildness and elegance with its flowing lines and almost perfectly shaped robust live growth. I particularly like the way the deadwood twists and turns all the way back down to soil and the jagged lightening bolt on the left. Though I know that some people take issue with highly sculpted deadwood, this is so well done that I can't imagine even the most dogmatic proponents of the naturalistic look being too worked up about it.

Too much going on today, so we’ll dip back into our archives. This one came up when I searched ‘Mother.’ It’s from November, 2010 and it’s titled ‘Mugos by Mother Nature & Georg Reinhard.’

Yesterday was World Bonsai Day. Today is Mother’s Day. If you grow bonsai, you know that every day is Bonsai Day, especially during the growing season. You could also say that every day is Mother’s Day, especially for mothers who have children at home. But sometimes we forget to appreciate the courage, devotion and work that it take to be a mother. So, even though I am a little suspicious of Hallmark Holidays, still, Happy Mother’s Day to all of you. You’ve earned it.

There are Mugos, and then there are Mugos…
I don’t think we ever see Mugo pines quite like these here in the States. It’s safe to say these are Yamadori (collected from the wild). Mugos are native to Europe, and these certainly have that native look. But then there’s that skilled human hand that belongs to Georg Reinhard.

A more natural feel. The human hand is less evident here than in the one above. Still, it's hard to know just how much the artist (Georg) contributed to this tree's natural feel without seeing the way it looked when it was dug. No matter, this tree speaks for itself, loud and clear.

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Today Is a Good Day to Hug a Bonsai… or even a Local Bonsai Friend

You may have already seen this magnificent landscape Penjing. Here on Bark, on Bill Valavanis' blog or any number of other places. You don't have to be a rocket scientist (or a bonsai master) to figure out why it's so popular. All the photos in this post were borrowed from Bill Valavanis Bonsai Blog.

Today is the big day. World Bonsai Day, a celebration of the art of bonsai that originated with the World Bonsai Friendship Federation. World Bonsai Day is held annually on the second Saturday of each May (you can check out yesterday’s Bark post for some background).

It seems fitting to celebrate World Bonsai Day by showing some bonsai from the 7th World Bonsai Friendship Federation Convention which was held in Jin Tan, China in September 2013 (the 8th will be in held in Saitama, Japan in 2017).

Our old friend, the omnipresent and irrepressible Bill Valavanis was there with his camera… and, well you can guess the rest (borrowing from Bill is a habit of ours). If you’d like to see more of Bill’s photos from the convention here are part one and part two from his Bonsai blog.

Aside from looking at the trees in this post, how might you celebrate World Bonsai Day? It occurs, because it’s about appreciating bonsai and bringing the world bonsai community together, maybe we could each contact a fellow bonsai lover and wish them a happy WBD. Then we could venture out into our back yard and say hello to our beautiful bonsai collection.

You might recognize the tree by the fruit (if you know what a Pomegranate looks like).

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This literati Juniper qualifies as a very unique bonsai. The hole in the trunk doesn't hurt when it comes to unique, nor does the quality and amount of deadwood (a lot for a literati). From what we can see of the foliage, I'm guessing that the tree is a Procumbens juniper.

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Speaking of unique. Bill labeled this one 'wall bonsai.' Based on the leaves and also the exposed roots, we're pretty sure it's a Ficus.

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At a glance you might think this is the same Penjing landscape we started with. But only at a glance.

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The next World Bonsai Convention


All the photos in the post are from Valavanis Bonsai Blog.

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Help Us Celebrate World Bonsai Day (Shop at Stone Lantern!)

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Brian Donnelly's entry in the 2013 World Bonsai Friendship Federation's photo contest. Brian lives in Canada. I know Canada is big country but the WBFF don't say where. However, I did find this video of him teaching bonsai in French, so I'm guessing he lives somewhere in PQ. As you can see, the tree is a Bougainvillea and a very good one at that.

Okay, the Shop at Stone Lantern part of the title is somewhat tongue in cheek. But only somewhat. After all, Bonsai Bark and Stone Lantern wouldn’t happen without your support. So, on behalf of our staff, family, friends, suppliers, the IRS and anyone who benefits in any way from what we do, Happy World Bonsai Day and Thank you for shopping at Stone Lantern!

World Bonsai Day is celebrated tomorrow (Saturday, May 9th).

The following is from the WBFF website: “Each year, on the second Saturday in May, the World Bonsai Friendship Federation along with the North American Bonsai Federation sponsor a World Bonsai Day celebration. On this special day, clubs, organizations and individuals throughout the world are encouraged to reach out to their respective communities and share the joy and brotherhood we all feel because of our involvement with bonsai….” (there’s more here).

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2015 would be the great Bonsai Master Saburo Kato's (1915-2008) 100th birthday. Mr. Kato was the founder and first chairman of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation, the chairman of the Nippon Bonsai Association for 30 years and fast friend to bonsai lovers around the world. We would like to honor Mr. Kato by offering his wonderful classic book, Forest, Rock Planting & Ezo Spruce Bonsai to our customers for only 15.00 (10.00 of each sale to go to the publisher, National Bonsai Foundation).

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Forest, Rock Planting & Ezo Spruce Bonsai, Bonsai Master Saburo Kato's beautiful benchmark bonsai book. The list price is 34.95 and now available to our customers for only 15.00 (10.00 of each sale to go to the publisher, the National Bonsai Foundation). This offer is good for the rest of today and through the weekend (until 11:59pm EDT Sunday).

Saburo Kato. Here's a short, somewhat embarrassing personal story about how not to greet a great man.

Worldday

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Professional Nanny & Famous Bonsai Artist Suthin Is Downsizing His Personal Bonsai Collection

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This powerful Japanese maple is one of many bonsai from Suthin Sukosolvisit's private collection that are now offered for sale. You can find this tree and the others in this post on Suthin's facebook feed and more on his website.

This is your chance. Friend to all and gifted Bonsai Artist Suthin Sukosolvisit is downsizing his bonsai collection. These are not the ordinarily excellent trees that he regularly sells at shows and at his studio/nursery, these are some of his favorites from his personal collection.

In Suthin’s own words: “Due to my hectic schedule, old age, and slowly becoming a full time ‘professional’ nanny of 3 beautiful grandchildren, I have decided to downsize my personal bonsai collection. Feel free to check out my website for sales items. More trees will be added every week (sorry…no catalog).”

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This deliciously lush Shimpaku is also for sale...

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...as is this unique Japanese maple...

...and this old Shohin Pine (Suthin is a Shohin Master as well as a professional nanny). Suthin will be adding more trees for sale from his personal collection regularly on his website.

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Clip-and-Grow – Back to Bonsai Basics

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You can see the large scar from the first cut on this powerful old Chinese elm (Ulmus parviflora). If you follow the trunk up a ways, you can see the change of direction where the second cut took place, though you can't see a scar from this view. This tree appears in the 1st U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Album.* It was started from a large collected tree in China. The owner/artist is Melvyn Goldstein. The fuzzy image is due to enlarging to fit our newer format.

It’s full tilt spring around here now. Digging and potting season in all its intensity. So, for the sake of expediency, we’re dipping into our archives once again. This one is from May 2009, Bark’s infancy.

Many deciduous trees are started in the field and developed using the clip-and-grow technique. The result is a heavy trunked tree with gentle curves, often in a more or less S shape. You can see this basic shape in the Chinese elm above. A variation of this S curve often shows up in pines and other conifers as well, though it is usually created by other means (trimming and wiring), as conifers don’t usually take as well to clip-and-grow.

These simple illustrations of the clip and grow technique are from a website called The Bonsai Primer. The left image shows the first cut, the next one shows the second cut, and so forth. If you go to the comments in our previous field growing post, Brian Van Fleet gives an excellent description of exactly what these illustrations are all about.

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*The cover of the 2008 album (out of print). The 3rd Album is currently discounted at Stone Lantern & the 4th Album is coming soon.

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