A Lost Treasure

cover

I found this old out-of-print classic in Green Apple Books in San Franscisco for ten dollars (minus my family discount – see disclaimer below). It was in near perfect condition after more than forty years (copyright 1967, Kodansha International). The original price was $6.95 (hardcover no less). BTW: Green Apple is one of the best surviving used/new independent bookstores anywhere (disclaimer: my son-in-law is part owner, but this takes away nothing from the fact that it’s a great place and an  institution in San Fransisco).

I got lucky
John Palmer, founder of Bonsai Today and Stone Lantern Publishing mentioned this book to me years ago. I think he was hoping that it would show up back in print, or perhaps he was entertaining ideas of reprinting it himself (memory doesn’t always serve). Now, years later I got lucky and stumbled upon it.

Stay posted for excerpts
Though this classic is chock full of useful info for anyone interested in saikei, we’ll tantalize you with just the cover for now. Later and little by little, we’ll post excerpts for your enjoyment.

BTW: There is an English language saikei book that is in print.

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

The Bonsai Artistry of Michael Hagedorn Plus Freeze Dried Roots

pacific-rim-juniper-after

We borrowed this magnificent Sierra/Shimpaku juniper from Michael Hagedorn Crataegus Bonsai site. Michael is the author of Post-Dated: The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk.

Reworking a remarkable Weyerhaeuser Juniper
Here’s what Michael has to say about the tree above: “A rangy juniper reworked in a half-day refinement session at the Weyerhaeuser collection in Federal Way, Washington. This 40″ (102cm) tree is a collected Sierra juniper grafted with shimpaku.” You can see the whole post here, which includes the before shot.

Continue reading The Bonsai Artistry of Michael Hagedorn Plus Freeze Dried Roots

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern
Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

Portland’s Famous Japanese Garden

portlandjgarden

This photo shows one key piece of Portland Oregon’s vast and varied Japanese garden. Actually, it’s five distinct gardens combined (see the map/drawing below).

Not exactly bonsai, but still…
I have a soft spot for Japanese style (and other beautiful) gardens. The same goes for trees in nature. Though neither are bonsai and bonsai is probably why you’re here, still, the connection is obvious (or is it…?). In any case, be sure to visit Portland’s treasure if you are ever in the area.

map

Five gardens in one. This bird’s eye map gives you a pretty good idea of the layout of the five gardens. Each one is marked by little black diamonds. Check out the live version of this map on their website.

Continue reading Portland’s Famous Japanese Garden

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

Green Workshop: Controlling Conifer Growth

controlconifersThese simple tips on trimming and pinching are from an extensive article entitled ‘How to Train Coniferous Bonsai’ from Bonsai Today issue 42. Stay posted for more tips from this article.

Books on the subject
Two of the best books on training conifers are part of our Masters’ Series: Growing and Styling Juniper Bonsai, and Growing and Styling Japanese White and Black Pines (most of the info is good for other pines).

Continue reading Green Workshop: Controlling Conifer Growth

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

Bay Island Bonsai Exhibit Coming Up Soon

exhibit

I picked this photo and the text below off of Bonsai Tonight. The same photo and info appears on Bay Island Bonsai’s site. If you are anywhere near the Bay Area, you might want to check the Exhibit out. Meanwhile, if you know anything about this remarkable tree, please let me know.

Bay Island Bonsai Exhibit and Auction at a new location with bigger facility
Hall of Commerce, Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleasanton, 94566.  Admission $ 5.00. Free Parking. Same great auction on Saturday, with preview at noon and auction at 1 PM. Guided tours of the exhibit both Saturday and Sunday. Bonsai sale and vendors both days. Benefit Drawing (need not be present to win) Hours: 10AM – 4PM Saturday and Sunday. For more information: (510) 865-1008 or boon@bonsaiboon.com

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

Master’s Gallery: Melba Tucker’s Olive & Suiseki

tuckerolive

This dramatic European olive forest on a rooted burl is by Melba Tucker. It’s borrowed from The National Bonsai Foundation‘s 2008 calendar.

Though it goes without saying
This old gem looks like a forest growing on a rocky ledge somewhere in Spain (or anywhere else olives grow) and, though it goes without saying, I’ll say it anyway: it’s one of the most wonderful, natural looking forest plantings anywhere. If you are ever anywhere near Washington DC, check it (and a whole bunch of other world class bonsai) out. It’s at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum.

melbasui2

Melba found this distinctive American Pattern Stone in the Mojave Desert. It’s from her book, Suiseki & Viewing Stones, An American Perspective. The photos (including this one) are by Peter Bloomer. Peter and his wife, Mary Holmes Bloomer are the editors. Peter and Mary are also responsible for Timeless Trees, The U.S. National Bonsai Collection.

Continue reading Master’s Gallery: Melba Tucker’s Olive & Suiseki

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

Rafting in a Bonsai Pot (or a Box)

maple4This very well rendered drawing by Peter Adams is from his book ‘Bonsai with Japanese Maples.’ It appears in a section called ‘Creating Raft Trees’ and on the back cover of the book. Whether or not this drawing comes from a tree in Peter’s collection or is just from his imagination, we can’t say. But one thing we do know; a pot that big (I imagine it to be at least 40 inches) will most likely set you back several hundred dollars.

Rafting in Peter’s own words
The raft method… is formed by laying a tree on its side and encouraging it to root along the recumbent trunk. The branches on the underside of the old trunk are removed to facilitate it lying comfortably in the new posture. Other branches are left and are developed into trees.

Or better still, with his drawings
I think the drawings are more or less self explanatory, depending on your experience and native intelligence (no insult intended).

We’re just here to whet your appetite
If you’d like more detail, try the book. Or lacking that, there’s always research.

Continue reading Rafting in a Bonsai Pot (or a Box)

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern

Backyard Bonsai #5: Wunderbare Gartenkunst

gardenart1

This shot provides a glimpse of one small corner of of Michael Veith’s magical world. His living-in-art approach, is a great way to integrate bonsai, gardening and much of the rest of what makes life interesting.

The iceburg’s tip
The photos here represent only a small piece of what you’ll find at Michael Veith’s world of bonsai, gardens and art.

gardenart2

This shot from a little farther away, places some bonsai in a larger context.

Continue reading Backyard Bonsai #5: Wunderbare Gartenkunst

Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern
Deeply Discounted Bonsai & Japanese Garden Products at Stone Lantern