Finding a Way to Improve Any Bonsai

Robert Steven’s simulation of a Pemphis acidula that was submitted by Nurul Fajri (the original photo is below). Traveling today, so it’s archive time. We first featured the critique back in November, 2013. The tree is exceptional and worth another look When I opened my email from Robert Steven and glanced at the before photo (below), I thought it was the after photo. But only for a moment. It’s the pot that gave it away. The rest looked pretty good (some of us might trade our entire collections for a tree like this). But not good enough for Robert who always … Continue reading Finding a Way to Improve Any Bonsai

Monster Mash

Bud Fulton sent us this scary photo. He took it at the North Carolina Bonsai Expo in Asheville. We don’t know who the tree belongs to, but we do know it’s a yew (Taxus) and that it suits our annual Halloween post to a tee. Just got this note from Bill Valavanis… “The Japanese yew belongs to Jim Doyle who also displayed it at the 2018 6th US National Bonsai Exhibition” Just in case you live in a cave (or in a place where October 31st has no particular significance), today is Halloween. Time to break out some scary trees… – FREE SHIPPING for Orders 75.00 … Continue reading Monster Mash

Valentin’s Bonsai Behemoth

This is what can happen to an old bonsai behemoth in the hands of the right artist. In this case the hands belong to Valentín Cruz. The tree is a yamadori (collected from the wild) Sierra juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) Continuing with North American bonsai in our lead up to the 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition… It wasn’t long ago I stumbled upon the bonsai of Valentín Cruz, a remarkably skilled young bonsai artist who lives and practices his art in Northern California. Valentín is a student of Jim Gremel, a highly respected bonsai artist and ceramicist, and the proprietor of Deer Meadow Bonsai … Continue reading Valentin’s Bonsai Behemoth

NEW Bonsai T-Shirts & the 6th U.S. National

Our neighbor Sophie modeling our Brand NEW all cotton Stone Lantern T-shirt. And no, Sophie is not a professional model. Just a friend (and local police officer). You can order your T-shirt online for 20.00 plus a very modest shipping charge or save the shipping charge and pick one up at the upcoming 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Continuing with our lead up to the 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition (Rochester, NY, September 8th & 9th – it’s not too late to make your plans)… This time it’s our new T-Shirt that will accompany us to the show along with a wide range of bonsai … Continue reading NEW Bonsai T-Shirts & the 6th U.S. National

Trident Maple Bonsai in a Well Chosen Pot

Sweet! I thought you might like to see this. It’s Carl Morrow’s Trident maple in a very well chosen and appropriately sized pot (Carl sent photos in an email, so no links) Last week we featured a Robert Steven critique of a Trident maple that belongs to Carl Morrow (Size Matters & Small Is Beautiful). It was a repost of a one we originally did in September, 2010. Carl took Robert’s advice and repotted the tree into a smaller pot, though not the same pot Robert used in his simulation (it’s hard to find simulated pots!). As it turns out, I think … Continue reading Trident Maple Bonsai in a Well Chosen Pot

Size Matters & Small Is Beautiful

Robert Steven’s digitally enhanced version of a Trident maple by Carl Morrow (the photo Carl submitted is below) Continuing with the bonsai wisdom of Robert Steven, this was one of our earliest of his famous critiques (September, 2010). I’ve added the copy just below today, but Robert’s expert comments are exactly as wrote them eight years ago The right pot can have a transformative effect on a bonsai. This includes the right size pot. A common mistake many of us make when we start, is over-potting trees. The mistaken view that trees need massive amounts of soil to thrive and grow is common and it can take a … Continue reading Size Matters & Small Is Beautiful

A Most Unusual & Provocative Bonsai Extravaganza

I don’t know how big this planting is, though I’m leaning toward pretty big. Impressive too with its sophisticated sense of depth (larger trees in front and smaller toward the back). Not to overlook the very large pot with its flowing lines and no doubt hefty price tag. This photo and the next three below are from Bill Valavanis’ blog Continuing with yesterday’s mixed media bonsai theme, this one is from Robert Steven’s 2014 1st International Bonsai Biennale. At the time we referred to it as the most unusual and provocative bonsai extravaganza ever TWO NEW TOOL SPECIALS Famous Roshi BONSAI Tools 30% … Continue reading A Most Unusual & Provocative Bonsai Extravaganza

“One Quick Glance at this Tree Brought Me to a State of Nirvana”

A close up of a rather spectacular root-over-rock bonsai (the entire planting is just below). Here’s our original caption (from May, 2016) with some changes made today… Robert Steven (my mistake, see below) has done it again. This time it’s a perfect root-over-rock bonsai. Here’s what Charles Bevan has to say about it: “This is unbelievably perfect. One quick glance at this tree brought me to a state of nirvana.” I was looking to continue our forest theme when I ran across this post from last year (and the year before). There is a forest (below), but it’s the feature tree and … Continue reading “One Quick Glance at this Tree Brought Me to a State of Nirvana”

Mossy Bonsai Glade & Other Brilliant Forests

Here’s what Felix Laughlin, the president of the National Bonsai Foundation wrote about this outstanding forest… “Wayne, the photo of the forest of Chinese elms is from the North American Collection at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, and was donated by Susanne Barrymore; it’s been in training since 1988.” Two full pallets of Green T turntables just arrived, and a large shipment of Bonsai Aesthetics wire and tools is due any minute, so it’s time for a shortcut. This post originally appeared here February, 2017. As usual, I’ve made a few changes. Speaking of Bonsai Aesthetics Wire & Tools… OUR SITE WIDE SALE ENDS SOON SEE … Continue reading Mossy Bonsai Glade & Other Brilliant Forests

Got Pieces of Broken Bonsai Pots Laying Around?

Got pieces of broken pots laying around? No problem. Robert Steven’s caption for this photo… “Dedication of the broken pots” Time to visit our old friend Robert Steven again. Robert has been on the cutting edge of Indonesian and world bonsai for a long time and judging by his recent endeavors, you might conclude that he intends to stay there. All the text in italics are direct quotes from Robert SPECIAL BONSAI AESTHETICS WIRE KILO ROLLS ONLY 15.95 500 GRAM ROLLS ONLY 8.95 100 GRAM ROLLS ONLY 3.45 – Roberts writes… “Front’ is simply a viewing angle where we want … Continue reading Got Pieces of Broken Bonsai Pots Laying Around?