Bonsai Island Paradise

stone41Though it's not really a bonsai if it's in the ground, this one is a very close cousin. This photo and all the photos in this post are from Stone Garden.

Continuing with our Korean bonsai theme. This one is from our archives (April, 2014). Tomorrow we’ll return to the Korean Bonsai Artists Exhibition

The bonsai shown here reside at a place called Stone Garden, on an island just south of Korea and due west of Japan’s Kyushu Island. The island’s name is Jeju and judging by the photos, it’s a rather magnificent place, with warm enough weather for plants that are almost sub-tropical and cold enough to support temperate zone plants (perhaps like Oregon’s Willamette Valley).

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Is this a Trident maple? Whatever it is, it's a bit of a break with convention to see such a stout tree, let alone a stout deciduous tree in a drum pot

 

I'm going to guess that this is a Japanese black pine. Mostly because it looks like one. The tree to the right with the flowers looks like a Crape Myrtle, which happens to be a zone 7 plant.

 

Stone Gardens is much more than just a bonsai garden. If you are interested, there are numerous photos that show off some luscious landscaping and great stone sculpture.

 

Do you think that all the trunks (nine?) on this wild tree are supported by the same roots?

 

A very distinctive tree with it's huge base and dynamic lines

 

An unusual tree. The wood and its hunched over look imparts a feeling of centuries of rough weather and other wild hardships, while the lush foliage suggests an easier life with abundant nutrients.

 

Jeju-do is a volcanic island located 130 kilometres off the southern coast of South Korea. It is the country’s largest island, smallest province and home to its tallest mountain, Halla-san, a dramatic-looking dormant volcano that rises 1,950 metres above sea level. The people of Jeju have developed a culture and language that are distinct from those of mainland Korea, and the island is famous for its matriarchal family structure, symbolized by the haenyeo (“sea women”), who make a living from deep-sea diving to harvest marine products.

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A Celebration of American Bonsai

6th

Coming sooner than you think! The 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition is the premier North American celebration of bonsai. The one event you don’t want to miss

If you would like to submit any bonsai, the deadline for entries is June 1, 2018 (or until the exhibition is filled). If you’re like most people and just want to be there, it’s not too soon to make your plans

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This Colorado blue spruce won the ABS North American Bonsai Award at the 5th U.S. Exhibition. It belongs to Todd Schlafer

The following is from Bill Valavanis’ Exhibition website
“The world bonsai community will once again be enriched by the display of bonsai gathered from across the United States at the 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, September 8-9, 2018, in Rochester, NY

“Like Japan’s Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition, people from around the world attend the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibitions to appreciate and study the diversity of the unique and distinctive species displayed by accomplished bonsai artists from across the United States.

“Towering bonsai from the Pacific Northwest, rugged bonsai from the Rocky Mountains, and tropical bonsai from the Southern swampy regions will be displayed alongside weathered bonsai from the Southwestern deserts and refined deciduous bonsai from the Northeast.”

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Immigrant species are welcome. This Japanese black pine is also from the 5th U.S. National Exhibition. It belongs to John Kirby. You can find it and over 200 other distinctive bonsai in the 5th Exhibition Album. We still have some albums from the 4th Exhibition as well (1,2 & 3 are sold out, and according to Bill, there are no plans to reprint)

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Naturally Dramatic Bonsai

gedepem

A particularly dramatic and complex Pemphis acidula. Not that Pemphis don't tend to be dramatic anyway, but this one is almost unrivaled. It was collected and styled by Gedemerta. Height 82cm (32").

Continuing from yesterday with more bonsai by Gedemerta, we’ll borrow a few photos from our archives (June, 2015). 

All but one of the trees here are Pemphis acidula which has to be one of the most naturally dramatic trees in the world. It’s a safe bet that they were all collected from the wild. In fact, it might not be too far fetched to assume that Pemphis bonsai only originate in the wild, though I don’t know this for a fact.

Bonsai Aesthetics Wire Is Back

we’ve been out of several sizes

now a truck full of Bonsai Aesthetics wire is due to roll in tomorrow
CW WIRE - BLACK
Order Your Wire Now for shipment next week
All Sizes Now on Special 

pemmainHere's another Pemphis acidula that was styled by Gedemerta. It belongs to H.N. Holiq Effendi. Gedemerta titled it Snake Dance (I know of at least one other Gedemerta bonsai called Snake Dance). It's height is 57cm (22.5"). I don't know how hard Pemphis wood is and how difficult it is to keep the deadwood from rotting, but it looks like it has been treated with lime sulfur.

 

gede

This one is a Premna mycrophylla. It's 33cm (13") high and judging by what I've seen over the last few years, Premna  mycrophylla is one of the two most prevalent Indonesian bonsai varieties (the other being Pemphis acidula).

pemdance

We've got Snake Dance above and now we've got simply Dance. It's another Pemphis acidula. 37cm (14.5"). The leaves look a little larger than the other Pemphis shown here. Almost like a Buttonwood (Conocarpus). I just tried to find this tree at BonsaiBali to double check, but it didn't turn up.

 

pemphisacidula

Pemphis acidula on a rock with a camouflaged small hut.

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An Old Bonsai Favorite

gedemain

If you know Gedemerta's bonsai, you'll recognize this as one of his many Pemphis acidula. The rough bark, preponderance of deadwood and the tiny leaves give it away

The photos shown here are from an old favorite of ours, Gedemerta Bonsai Bali. Though I just discovered these (on facebook of course), I also just noticed they date all the way back to 2012, so they may be familiar to some of you. In fact, at least one of them has been shown here on Bark (the Barbados cherry, but with a different pot) and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s more than one.

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gede1

Another Pemphis acidula

 

gede3

Gedemerta call this Sakura, which is most likely the Indonesian name for Malpighia pendiculata (Barbedos cherry).
 

malpigiaSame tree, better pot. From a post we did two years ago. Even though this photo is from two years ago, it's more recent than the one above. 

gede4

I find the background a little distracting, but still, a great tree. Gedemerte says it's a Picus, but I think that's a typo (or an Indonesian word for Ficus). The leaves look like Ficus as do all those arial roots

 

gede5

No name give with this one, but judging by the bark and the leaves, it could be a Premna mycrophylla

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yogi11

The Old Master Gedemerta in serene contemplation. From a post we did in April, 2016

Blazing Bonsai – An Embarrassment of Riches

teamapleThis blazing bonsai is a prize-winning Shishigashira Japanese maple from a Peter Tea post on the 32nd Annual Taikan-ten bonsai exhibition in Kyoto.

This photos shown here are lifted from a December 2012 Bark post titled An Embarrassment of Riches. In addition to the trees, there’s a special bonus offering below…

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reelHere’s what Matt Reel has to say about this tree: “This Japanese Red Pine has such a broad apex it makes me giggle to myself at times. However, one might feel a little tipsy with all that leaning movement if there was a little dainty apex instead. This tree has been wired 3 times in the last few years by three different artists in this order: Omachi Isao, myself, and most recently by Tyler (Tyler Sherrod). We also call it the ‘never ending tree’ because it seems impossible to get the balance just right.” My only comment is I thought the tree was much smaller than it is. Until I saw another photo that gives it away.

 

bjornTied in knots. This lush Shimpaku juniper with its knotted trunk is from the Bjorvala Bonsai Studio's gallery. All of the bonsai featured in the Studio's gallery were styled by Bjorn Bjorholm.

 

pyra-500x351I found this sweet little tree with its equally sweet little pot on Bonsai in Japan. I'm not sure what it is, but the berries look a lot like pyracantha.

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Here’s the bonus offering,  a list of bonsai blogs
(linked for your convenience)
we borrowed from Nichigo Bonsai

Bonsai Eejit google blog reader (150 Blogs)
Aichien Journal
Aijou bonsai
Bjorvala Bonsai Studio
Bonsai Eejit
Bonsai Mike
Bonsai Pottery
Bonsai Tonight
Bonsai Unearthed
bonsaikc.com
Centro bonsai tenerife
Crataegus Bonsai
Japanese bonsai pots
John Armitage’s Blog
Paul’s Bonsai Blog
Shibui Bonsai
Sam & KJ’s Blog
Tyler Sherrod Bonsai
Yenling bonsai

*there is one item we cannot discount
and 4 other items with discounts that are less than 25% off 

Fancy Bonsai Flowers

m2c

This Chojubai Dwarf Flowering Quince belongs to Michael Hagedorn. I took the liberty to crop Michael's original photos for a closer look at the trees (all 4 uncropped versions are at the bottom of the post).

It has been a while since we visited Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai, one of our favorite destinations and a reoccurring presence here on Bark.

Anyway, it’s always best to let Michael speak for himself (from December 26th)… “A couple weeks back we photographed all the Dwarf Flowering Quince ‘Chojubai’ that were looking fancy, as they all decided to bloom at the same time this year. Which is not textbook Chojubai, but it happened.

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m1c

m3c

m4c

 

quince

Here's what Michael's uncropped originals look like (here's your link for the full sized versions)

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Bonsai Boug Before & After by Suthin (with Value Added)

bougb&a

Bougainvillea, before and after by Suthin Sukosolvisit. I'm not sure how much time elapsed from before to after, but given that Suthin lives in a cold climate and Bougainvillea are tropical and semi-tropical plants, my guess is at least several years.

Trying to find time to get outside today, so we’ll resort to our archives once again. This one features one of our all time favorite bonsai artists, Suthin Sukosolvisit. It originally appeared here in March, 2015. As usual, I’ve made a few changes. Here’s your link to Suthin’s original before and after post 

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boug2

Before. Could this be the same Bougainvillea as the one below? 

suthinboug

After. Looking forward to seeing it in bloom

 

ficus

A powerful, freshly defoliated Willow leaf ficus. Over the years I can’t help but notice how much Suthin favors Willow leaf ficus. This photo is from facebook.

 

ficus2

Same tree, nice apple

BTbanner32-500x221Bonsai Today back issue now only 5.00 each

suthinwlf

Futher Willow leaf ficus evidence. The photo (by Joe Noga) is from Suthin’s website.

 

suthinshohin

Suthin may be best known for his Shohin bonsai displays. BTW, that’s another Willow leaf ficus bottom left. Like the photo just above, this photo is also from Suthin’s website and was also taken by Joe Noga.

BOOK SPECIAL ENDS TONIGHT

30% TO 70% OFF LIST PRICES

ON ALMOST ALL OF OUR BONSAI BOOKS*
Bonsai Books August 2016

SPECIAL ENDS TONIGHT, SUNDAY Jan 14th at 11:59pm EST
*we cannot discount Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees
there are 3 other books that are discounted less than 30%
all the rest of our large selection are 30% to 70% off

Before & After – Antes y Despues

beneB&A

Before and after Itoigawa juniper (Juniperus chinesis 'itoigawa') by David Benavente. It helps to start with a magnificent tree. Still, this takes nothing away from the considerable skills of an artist like David Benavente. In fact, bringing a great tree back to shape and taking it to the next level is one of the things that defines a highly accomplished bonsai artist.

Sticking with our reoccurant Before & After theme, today’s Itoigawa juniper is one of several remarkable Before & Afters  (Antes y Despues) that David Benavente posted several years ago. By the way, if you’re confused about the difference between Shimpaku, Kishu and Itoigawa, here’s something from Brian at Nebari Bonsai that should help.

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antes77

Like I said, it helps to start with a magnificent tree

 

despues77

One of changes that stands out, is the way the crown has been refined and lowered; exposing more of the remarkable 'flaming' deadwood above and also framing and drawing your eye to the powerful swirl of deadwood in the center of the tree.

BOOK SPECIAL ENDS TOMORROW NIGHT

30% TO 70% OFF LIST PRICES

ON ALMOST ALL OF OUR BONSAI BOOKS*
Bonsai Books August 2016

SPECIAL ENDS SUNDAY at 11:59pm EST
*we cannot discount Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees
there are 3 other books that are discounted less than 30%
all the rest of our large selection are 30% to 70% off

 

Floating Clouds

Hsiu77Here's an unusual tree for your enjoyment. Or, for your criticism if you feel the profusion of small foliage pads (floating clouds) is unnatural. Personally I don't have a problem with it. It's rich and full of energy, with all those intriguing little pieces that hang together so well. The kind of tree you could look at for a long time and still see some feature that you missed. It belongs to Hsiu Yang, one of Taiwan's many great bonsai artists. It's obviously a Juniper, but no species is given.

Just one tree today. I borrowed the photo above from a post we did in September, 2012 and then chopped it up for closer looks.

BOOK SPECIAL ENDS SUNDAY

30% TO 70% OFF LIST PRICES

ON ALMOST ALL OF OUR BONSAI BOOKS*
Bonsai Books August 2016

SPECIAL ENDS SUNDAY at 11:59pm EST
*we cannot discount Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees
there are 3 other books that are discounted less than 30%
all the rest of our large selection are 30% to 70% off

Hsiucu

Trunk. Apologies for the fuzz

 

Hsiucu2

The right side. The one little branch is low enough (just below the bottom of the pot) to be considered a full cascade, though because the it's just one small feature in a tree with most of energy flowing upward, I don't think anyone would ever think of this tree as full cascade.

Hsiucu3

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Before & After Root-Over-Rock Black Pine Bonsai

suthinB&ARoot-over-rock Japanese black pine by Suthin Sukosolvisit. No major restyling, but what a striking improvement. Sutin's caption reads simply... "Japanese black pine 2011-2013" The original before and after photos are from Suthin's timeline

A big part of learning about bonsai involves transforming rough stock into beautiful, or at least passable bonsai. However, it’s equally important to do the periodic work necessary to keep a bonsai beautiful, or soon enough it will return to its rough state (or worse). Allowing a tree to just grow on its own for a while is essential to its health, and bringing it back into shape after this period of unrestrained growth is also essential. And of course, each time you bring a tree back into shape, it’s done with a eye to continued development and improvement.

Roshi Bonsai Tool SPECIAL

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We believe that these are the best prices
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*Special does not include Roshi Tool Kits

before

Before. This was taken after a period of undisturbed growth. For most types of trees (especially temperate zone trees), allowing new growth to remain undisturbed is necessary for maintaining health. This new growth is where the vigor of a tree is most concentrated, so continually cutting it back will sap (no pun intended) the tree's vital energy.

 

after

After. What a difference an expert hand and eye can make.

 

scu

I cropped this one to get a closer look at the trunk and rock

BONSAI BOOK SPECIAL

30% TO 70% OFF LIST PRICES

ON ALMOST ALL OF OUR BONSAI BOOKS*
Bonsai Books August 2016

we cannot discount Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees
there are 3 other books that are discounted less than 30%
all the rest of our large selection are 30% to 70% off