A Reader’s Critique and a Small Exception

Ramano1aPatrick Giacobbe was kind enough to send this along with some comments (my dream of a more interactive blog is slowly dawning). It’s his take on a photo that was submitted by John Romano that appears in an earlier post (Be A Fearless Bonsai Warrior – 9/24/09). To clarify, the tree is John’s and the superimposed lines and the comments that follow are Patrick’s (edited just a bit by yours truly – I had to key it in anyway as text was sent as part of the image).

Dear John (from Patrick)
John, no need to apologize for the tree. It’s a given that a tree needs to recover after the stress of preparation (for) a show or photo contest. A big part of the recovery is to let the tree grow out. I appreciate the confidence and the stones you have to (present) it in its “shaggy” recovery stage. What we should be talking about is the high standard of artistic design the tree is projecting and why.

Continue reading A Reader’s Critique and a Small Exception

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Boon’s Big Bonsai: The Original (Plus One)

boon_laketahoe_2008Here’s the original photo (©2009 Boon Manakitivipart) of Boon admiring one of the most amazing trees anywhere (see our last post if you haven’t already). It was taken by Michael Pitalo (Kneecap Graph X). If you check back to this earlier post, you might think that Boon has a knack for finding extraordinary trees, or at least being photographed with extraordinary trees (we’re waiting for number three as final proof).

The tree
Okay, we know it’s amazing. The longer you look at it, the more amazing it is. But, we still haven’t identified the species (Sierra juniper?). And we’ll probably never know the age, though it’s safe to say that it’s very old. My guess is well over 1,000 years, maybe much older than that (check out the Bennett Juniper below). The location is somewhere in the Sierras (near Lake Tahoe?). Anyone else?

Continue reading Boon’s Big Bonsai: The Original (Plus One)

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Boon’s Big Bonsai

BoonCloseupBoon Manakitivipart takes a good look at an impressive wild specimen just before he digs it up (just kidding). From Boon’s new website.

BoonBigtreeThis shot gives you an idea of the scope and size of one of nature’s more impressive trees. I haven’t talked to Boon, so I don’t know the what or where, but my best guess is a juniper somewhere in the Sierra Nevadas. Maybe someone out there can set me straight.

Continue reading Boon’s Big Bonsai

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Bonsai Warriors: A Critique & A Pleasant Surprise

TridentMorrowThis powerful Trident maple was submitted by Carl Morrow of Cape Town South Africa and is our first Fearless Bonsai Warrior award winner (a fifteen dollar gift certificate to Stone Lantern-see below).

A free critique (for what it’s worth)
There’s a lot to like about this tree, and a few things that might be done to improve it. I think it needs a different pot (actually, I like the pot a lot, just not with this tree). It’s shallowness sets off the trunk’s thickness, and that’s a good thing,  however, the pot is too big from side to side and distracts the eye some from the tree. I think slightly smaller glazed pot with the tree planted a little off center, would serve this tree better. The trunk is wonderful and the nebari is off to a very good start, though not yet completely developed; there’s a gap that could be filled with some creative root grafting and the small root in the center could be fused with the root next to it.

A new twist (the pleasant surprise)
We are going to start rewarding some Fearless Bonsai Warrior’s entry’s with gift certificates to Stone Lantern. That’s right, send us photos of your bonsai and the worse that can happen is you’ll get a free critique (for better or worse), and if your lucky, you just might be awarded a gift certificate. A win-win situation for you (actually I’ve always been suspicious of win-win, the first person who ever used the expression with me ended up stealing my rug (floor, not head)).

Continue reading Bonsai Warriors: A Critique & A Pleasant Surprise

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If You Only Visit One Bonsai Convention This Year…

…you could do a lot worse than this one

convention_ad

It’s worth the trip, even if you don’t live in (or near) southern California. For more information visit the Golden State Bonsai Federation website.

Pioneer state
California, perhaps more than anywhere else outside of Asia (no offense meant to anyone or anywhere else) has been out front in developing the art of bonsai. No doubt a number of factors are responsible, not the least of which is a strong Japanese American community and a growing season that lasts almost forever, with enough sun and heat in one year to last us a lifetime here in Vermont.

The GSBF
Another factor that goes hand in hand with the ones mentioned above is the Golden State Bonsai Federation. It’s been around for a long time (fill us in if you know how long) and does a great job tying together California’s large robust bonsai community.

Continue reading If You Only Visit One Bonsai Convention This Year…

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Some Serious New Bonsai Tools

chinese-toolsHere’s some of our new tools (there are more) by Bonsai Aesthetics. From left to right: Rook hook, Extra large branch jack, Extra large branch bender, branch lever, and Large branch jack.

Good tools and the price is right
A few months ago we introduced some of Robert Steven‘s new line of bonsai tools. Robert is the author of Mission of Transformation and Vision of My Soul, and is one of the world’s most innovative bonsai artists. Like many of us, Robert realized that Japanese tools are gradually being priced out for many people, while Chinese tools are coming up in quality. So Robert went to China and hand picked tools that he could stand behind. The result is his Bonsai Aesthetics line of bonsai tools.

More than meets the eye
So far your response to Bonsai Aesthetics tools has been excellent. Hundreds shipped and no complaints. So, we’ve decided to expand the selection. In addition to the ones shown above, the following tools have just arrived: a grafting knife, a draw knife, a folding saw, and a second, different extra large branch jack than the one shown above.

And, if you missed the first batch
The original batch of Bonsai Aesthetic tools that we brought in include a very popular five piece carving set, 8″ concave cutters, 11″ concave cutters, 8″ knob cutters, 11″ knob cutters, wire cutters, wire pliers, and inexpensive light weight, all purpose scissors.

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Green Workshop: ABS’ Wiring Basics

wiring1This simple and clear illustration (from the ABS website) shows how to use a turnbuckle to lower a branch. The turnbuckle is made up of a single strand of wire, a short stick (or short piece of heavy wire) and two rubber pads to protect the branches. Beyond that, it needs no explanation.

Thanks to ABS and George Buehler
The American Bonsai Society has one of the best basic wiring articles you’ll find anywhere, courtesy of George Buehler (George is the current Vice President of ABS). If you are new to wiring or just want to brush up, you could do a lot worse than spending a little time looking it over. Continue reading Green Workshop: ABS’ Wiring Basics

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Voila!

TaiwanfocusMuch Better!
Here’s the tree that is featured in our last post, in focus this time. It was sent by Ferry Freriks, who BTW submitted the first tree to our Unique Bonsai Contest. Ferry has done his research and here’s what he came up with:

Hello Mr. Schoech,

I tried to post a comment on the post of the Taiwanese tree, but after submitting it, the site told me it was “Too spammy”. So instead I’m sending it by e-mail.

Here’s the full size picture of this tree: http://sidiao.myweb.hinet.net/2004htm/p13.htm ;-) According to the website (http://sidiao.myweb.hinet.net, the personal website of one the best Taiwanese artists, Cheng Cheng-Kung) it’s a Eugenia uniflora, and it’s huge: 100 cm (or app. 40 inch).

Other trees of this exhibition (the annual Taiwan Bonsai Creator Association exhibiton), can be viewed here: http://sidiao.myweb.hinet.net/2004_e.htm

Even better: other volumes (from 2000 to 2008) can be viewed here: http://sidiao.myweb.hinet.net/gallery_e.htm

Enjoy!

Regards,

Ferry

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Masters Gallery: Out of Focus, But Still…

TaiwanramificationIn addition to its amazingly fine ramification, this somewhat out of focus tree exhibits a powerful trunk with a strong nebari and a great overall sense of balance. And what looks to be a very interesting pot. It’s from a youtube video entitled Taiwan Bonsai Creator Association.

Fine branching
This tree is one of the best examples of fine branching (ramification) that you’ll ever see. If the branching were less developed, it would still be a very good tree. As it is, you might say that it’s a unique and wonderful example of what a bonsai can be.

Ten thousand little cuts
Most of us don’t bother developing finely detailed branching all the way out to the twigs that grow off of the twigs that grow off of the twigs (and so on). In fact, you could safely say that bonsai with fine branching like the tree above are truly rare. Though skill is required, developing this kind of ramification is mostly about time, patience and ten thousand little cuts.

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