Pinch! Don’t Pinch! Part 2

This isn’t the first time we’ve featured this famous bonsai that originally appeared on the cover of Bonsai Today 63 and later in our Juniper book. I think it’s appropriate here for a couple reasons: it’s by Shinji Suzuki, Michael Hagedorn’s bonsai sensei (Michael provided the fuel for this post and our previous post) and it’s a needle type juniper, which provides a contrast to scale type junipers when it comes to controlling new growth. We can assume that Mr. Suzuki trimmed rather than pinched in creating such a profusion of dense foliage pads.

Continuing where we left off
Rather than try to answer all the comments that we’ve received (so far) on our last post, Pinch! Don’t Pinch! I thought it might be helpful to continue the discussion with another post.

A few random observations
There’s so much information about pinching and trimming juniper bonsai that it is easy to become completely overwhelmed. After a somewhat cursory trip through some of the information, a few observations stand out:

1. For our purposes here, pinching or not pinching is primarily about controlling new growth (see 5. below for other reasons why you might or might not pinch).

2. Michael Hagedorn’s posting Never Pinch Junipers is excellent and provides much of what you need to know about the topic.

3. Often when people say pinching they mean plucking; pulling off new growth rather than pinching using your finger or thumb nails. A variation on plucking is twisting off new buds. Another variation is using tweezers to pull off new growth.

4. There are two distinct types of junipers, needle junipers and scale junipers. They are treated differently when it comes to controlling new growth (see Never Pinch Junipers for the best explanation).

5. Pinching or plucking (or using scissors instead) is used for a number of tasks. Here are five that pop to mind: developing ramification, energy balancing, cleaning out unwanted new growth (for example in branch junctions) controlling new growth to maintain a tree’s silhouette and encouraging foliage density.

6. I think it’s especially the ‘controlling new growth’ uses of pinching that Michael Hagedorn and others object to. Too much pinching to maintain a juniper’s silhouette and promote density can weaken or kill branches and even whole trees.

Some useful links
Rather then go into more elaborate detail, here are some links you might find helpful, provided you don’t mind a little information overload.

Our previous post (including the comments), Pinch! Don’t Pinch!

The above mention Never Pinch Junipers by Michael Hagedorn that set this discussion in motion and may be the simplest explanation you’ll find on how to control growth on scale and needle junipers.

An earlier post of Michael’s on Crataegus Bonsai that I can’t seem to find. However, some of what Michael had to say on the topic appeared on Bonsai Bark way back in 2010.

Other Bonsai Bark posts on the subject. Rather than list them all, I simply searched ‘pinching.’ Some of these are about junipers and some aren’t.

Bonsai Today Masters’ Series Juniper book.

Numerous articles in back issues of Bonsai Today magazine.

A short and sweet illustrated discussion of pinching on Bonsai Primer.

Google search of ‘pinching juniper bonsai.’ Be wary. Anyone can post pretty much anything on almost any topic. Still, if you’re a research junkie you might find some useful stuff (but then, if you’re a research junkie, you don’t need me to help you search google).

Pinching for ramification (branch development). From our Juniper book.

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Pinch! Don’t Pinch!

Was this tree pinched? Shimpaku juniper by Kunio Kobayashi from Bonsai Today issue 28.

Never pinch junipers!
I’ve been ripping off valuable tidbits from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai for a long time (always attributed and linked of course). Micheal is a noted American bonsai artist, teacher and author and a voice for a common sense approach to bonsai.

Michael’s latest post is titled ‘Never Pinch Junipers.’ In his own words… Basically, we don’t pinch junipers. We cut new long extensions with scissors…and I know that will raise some eyebrows. I think the idea of pinching junipers with fingers started long ago in translated Japanese articles written by those who did not specialize in or have much experience in junipers. And then we bought into the idea of pinching because it seemed like a way to have fun with our junipers. But pinching, especially over-pinching where every growing tip is removed, has been killing junipers for decades. There’s more here.

Don’t pinch! Michael Hagedorn’s (?) hand showing off some deliciously healthy looking juniper foliage that he’ll never pinch.

Pinch junipers!
When Michael mentions “the idea of pinching junipers with fingers started long ago in translated Japanese articles written by those who did not specialize in or have much experience in junipers” I thought uh oh, could it be Bonsai Today that hes’ referring to? The early issue of Bonsai Today were translated from Japanese to Spanish to English. The person doing the Spanish to English knew absolutely nothing about bonsai and, at that time, almost no one else in the West did either (quite possibly including the person translating from Japanese to Spanish). So it’s easy to see how misconceptions could be passed on and be interpreted as bonsai gospel.

Which brings us to an article in Bonsai Today issue 28 (1993) where Kunio Kobayashi (he’s famous and it’s well earned) where he is quoted as saying “The objective of pinching is to remove the leaves in areas of strong growth, so that you keep the strong branches from growing too long and, at the same time, bring into balance the vigor of the tree’s strong branches (which are pinched) with that of the weak ones (that are not pinched).” There’s more, but you get the drift.

Pinch! If you look at this photo (from the Kunio Kobayashi article in Bonsai Today 28), it looks like he’s showing us how to pinch juniper foliage. When you combine the photo with the text (even considering all the possibilities for mistranslation) it’s seem that he clearly advocated pinching (at least in 1993).

A way out of our dilemma
I’m loath to disagree with Michael on any bonsai topic, but equally reluctant to disagree with Mr. Kobayashi. Fortunately, I think there’s a way out (beyond the old saw about reasonable people disagreeing); it’s when Michael says “But pinching, especially over-pinching where every growing tip is removed, has been killing junipers for decades. So, maybe you can still pinch your junipers, as long as you don’t over-pinch. Or…?

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Deadwood, More Deadwood & A Beautiful Weekend

Deadwood! Two weeks ago we featured a couple of Serge Clemence’ bonsai in a post on deadwood. I guess the reason I didn’t include this Mugo pine in that post is because Serge has so many trees with powerful deadwood. Still….

More deadwood! I found this powerful tree on Bonsai Tonight. It’s from the Redwood Empire Bonsai Society‘s 29th annual show that took place in Santa Rosa CA recently. When you see a tree like this and others in the show, it’s hard not to be struck by just how far north American bonsai has come in few short years. It belongs to Ned Lycett. The photo is by Jonas Dupuich.

Deadwood on a small tree. Is it just me, or does the foliage on this Shimpaku mirror the pot? I wonder if it’s intentional. The tree belongs to Michele Andolfo.

It’s not too late and I just checked the weather; it promises to be a beautiful weekend in Rochester. Here’s you link.

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A Fine (and Great) New Book

Fine Bonsai, Art and Nature is now available at Stone Lantern.

One of the most astounding books…
This morning Andy Rutledge sent me his well considered and well written review of one of the most astounding books I’ve ever seen. So rather than subjecting you to my same old prose once again, let’s try a fresh voice for a change (note, you can see Andy’s entire review on his Bonsai Journal … you might also enjoy visiting a more multifaceted Andy here).

Andy Rutledge’s review
When my copy of Fine Bonsai arrived I almost dropped it as the delivery man handed it to me. Though large, I didn’t expect the package to be so heavy. At 12″ x 15″ x 1.75″ and almost 10 pounds, this is a large and weighty book. The beautiful slipcase adds even more dimension and almost another pound of weight. When I finally unboxed and perused the book I was delighted to discover that the content, too, was weightier than expected.

Fine Bonsai – Art & Nature is primarily a photo-artistic study of bonsai from public and private collections in North America and Japan, with photos by renowned photographer Jonathan M. Singer and text by the respected American artist, teacher, and publisher William N. Valavanis.

In addition to the bonsai sections which comprise most of the book, beautiful and important bonsai containers and suiseki are featured in discrete chapters. Each is filled with practical and historical information on the depicted works. There’s also an informative section on the various arboretums and nurseries whose trees are featured in this book.

The Good

The photography is stunning. Each of the 281 full-page photos allows the subject its individual due and dignity. The rich, dark background surrounding the bonsai in these photos, combined with elegant and creative lighting, presents each subject in a way that is at once serene and emphatic. Though the dark environment for the photos creates perhaps an uncommon or unfamiliar context for bonsai, the trees seem most comfortable there. They shine like stars on a stage…
For the rest of Andy’s review visit The Bonsai Journal.

Looks like someone decided to change the name. Either one (Fine or Great) hits the nail square on the head.

A great time to get yours
Turns out Fine Bonsai landed here just when we started our Big Summer Book Sale. List price is 150.00 and our regular price will most likely be 120.00. The sale price is 95.00.

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The Other Cascade: Part 2

After. Semi-cascade Japanese white pine by Kiyoshi Yamagami. From Bonsai Today issue 52 (sorry, out of stock… however we still have about 50 other back issues in print; all 70% off).

Near perfect
To my eyes, this tree presents a near perfect combination of grace and power. Usually, when you think power in bonsai, you think trunk. In this case, though the trunk is certainly powerful enough (what you can see of it), there’s something about the rest of the tree that can send power induced chills up your spine (okay, maybe not, but I’ll bet if you saw the tree in person…). Anyway, at the risk of overstatement; the way the branching and foliage drapes and flows and shows consummate balance of density and space, is just, ‘just so’ (as they say in Zen). Nice pot too.

Part one
If you to scroll down one post (or click here), you’ll find part one of this two part series on semi-cascade bonsai.

Before. How would you like to have stock this good to start with?

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The Other Cascade: Before & After

After by Kimura (aka the Magician). This photo is from a chapter in our Masters’ Series Pine Book titled Masahiko Kimura Transforms A Semi-Cascade. The tree is a Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora).

The other cascade
Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seem to me that, with the exception of Junipers (especially the ever present Procumbens nana) you don’t see that many semi-cascade bonsai (I just scrolled back through the last couple month of Bonsai Bark and about 10% of the trees featured are semi-cascade; more than I thought I’d find, but still, not that many). Actually, you don’t see that many full-cascade bonsai (see the photo at the bottom of the post) either, but when you think of cascade, my guess is that it’s full-cascade that comes to mind.

Semi-cascade is NOT the same as windswept
It’s not unusual to see semi-cascade bonsai referred to as windswept. This is a mistake. Windswept bonsai can be in any style (though I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a windswept full-cascade), including semi-cascade, and most semi-cascade bonsai don’t really qualify as windswept. Here’s a Robert Steven critique that explores windswept bonsai (there are others, but this is a pretty good start). BTW: Robert is the author of two excellent bonsai books.

Before. It helps to have well developed stock to start with. You can find the 28 other photos (not shown here) that describe the process and give general information on styling pines in our Masters’ Series Pine Book (currently on sale along with all of our other books).

Full cascade (the lowest point of the tree is below the bottom of the pot). From the Black pine gallery in our Masters’ Series Pine Book.

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Summer Sale Part 2: Books

Every single book we offer has been reduced below our normal discount price

We just went through every book we offer (including sets like the one above) and lowered the price. If you bear in mind that all of our books were already discounted, then you’ll realize what a great deal this.

Take a look. You’ll be very pleasantly surprised at just how low our prices are.

This sale includes our very large selection of bonsai books, Japanese gardening books, Ikebana books, books on plants and trees and Japanese arts and culture books.

This beautiful classic bonsai book is on sale for 14.95. List price is 34.95.

One of our large selection of Japanese gardening books. All deeply discounted.

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Fractured Pot, Tea Time, Widly Expressive Deadwood, Bewildering At A Glance & Chicago (BTW)

There’s a lot to like about this Shimpaku juniper, though it’s not typical to see such dense foliage on a bunjin style bonsai. But in this case, I think the relatively heavy foliage is balanced by the strength of the trunk and the wildly expressive deadwood at the top. The tree belongs to Nicola Kitora Crivelli. It’s from a gallery on Bonsai Empire.

Win a ten dollar gift certificate to Stone Lantern (if you come up with the correct answer and you follow the instructions). You will win if you are the first person to come up with the name of the artist that made this marvelously fractured bonsai pot, and you put that person’s name in the comments below with a link to the evidence.

Tea time. We’ve been featuring the free spirited musings and photos of Peter Tea, one of our favorite bonsai apprentices, for a while now. Now, for those of you within striking distance of Milwaukee (or those of you who like travel) you can experience the delights of Peter’s bonsai insights first hand.

A weekend of workshops, demos and more. It’s in the Chicago area by the way. Here’s link to the Prairie State Bonsai Society.

It’s a little bewildering at a glance, until you see the supporting rod that seems to be sticking out of the table. From Peter Ebensperger’s facebook photos.

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Remedy for an Oversight

This tree would be pretty good without the deadwood on the right. But what a shame to remove it! It tells the tree’s story and has the power to transport you to a rocky cliff high in the Alps, with a clear cold stream wandering through a green meadow far below (sorry, couldn’t help myself). The photo is from Serge Clemence’ bonsai gallery.

The remedy
I don’t think we’ve ever featured the bonsai of Serge Clemence. To remedy this oversight, here are a couple of his wild and wonderful bonsai for your enjoyment. Stay tuned. There’s more to come.

Taking the whole idea to the next level. Once you see this natural wonder, you’ll never forget it.

FREE Green Dream
Tomorrow (Sunday August 19th) is the last day for you to receive a FREE 8oz bag of Green Dream with your Stone Lantern order. The cutoff is noon, U.S. Eastern Daylight Time.

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Bonsai Island

I’ll take this to be an European olive, even though it looks a lot like a Florida buttonwood. No matter, it’s a very unusual and compelling tree; so compelling that it won Kuni Kobayashi’s Grand Prize in the 2008 Concurso Nacional de Alcobendas MMBA (see below for info on this year’s exhibition).

Island bonsai school
All the trees shown here are from Antoni Payeras’ Escuela de Bonsái (Bonsai School) gallery. Antonio, and his Escuela reside on Menorca (Minorca), one of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean.

I like two small holes in the deadwood. Not that there aren’t other things to like about this tree; including that fact that it’s Juniperus phoenicea turbinata, a type of juniper that most of us have never seen. Wikipedia says that Phoenician junipers are a Mediterranean tree and that the Turbinata variety is confined to coastal sand dune habitats.

I’ll go with European olive on this one too, even though it also looks like a buttonwood.

I’m going with Rosemary (though I’m often incorrect, I’m pretty sure about this one). Either way, I thought this somewhat unusual tree, might inspire someone (it falls into the easy to understand how it did it category).

Another Phoenician juniper? It’s unlabeled, so your guess is as good as mine.

There’s still time to plan your visit to this year’s Concurso Nacional.

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