Itty-Bitty Bonsai

tinyThis tiny Shimpaku juniper belongs to Yoshiyuki Kawada.

We’ve long loved (and featured) Haruyosi’s tiny trees and pots. Yesterday I stumbled upon another Japanese mame* bonsai artist who also makes their own pots. His name is Yoshiyuki Kawada, and though I’m just becoming familiar with his trees and pots, so far I’m impressed.

*Mame means bean and is sometimes used for tiny bonsai

Continued below…

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This tiny Shimpaku has a very powerful feel for such a small tree

 

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Tiny Pyracantha with smoke

 

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Itty-bitty pot

Our most popular item so far this season…

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Robert Steven’s extraordinary, beautiful shears in a lovely bamboo box

We just got news that 30 more will arrive here before December 10th
Still plenty of time for U.S. orders to arrive before Christmas
Orders for other items will be shipped in 2-3 business days

 

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Is this a Crape myrtle?

 

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Nice glaze
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Eccentric or Just Twisted?

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Doing the Twist. This tree belongs to Mauro Stemberger (Italian Bonsai Dream). Mauro has one of the most dramatic bonsai collections in the West, and though this one certainly qualifies, is there a line between dramatic and eccentric?

Two of the trees in this post are naturally twisted and the other two were twisted by the hands of man. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble telling which is which.

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dupichEven though there’s something unnatural about many of the twisted by-the-hands-of-man bonsai, some work better than others and this one qualifies. Photo by Jonas Dupuich of Bonsai Tonight.

Beautiful 2017 Japanese Bonsai & Garden Calendars are here

(see below)

pine-1This natural looking dynamic twisty pine with its perfectly chosen pot was posted on facebook by Tae-Kukiwon-Bonsai (aka Eduardo Mourão Guedes).

 

twist1Not a bonsai but twisted in the extreme. I’m pretty sure I've never seen tree this twisted, though there are some Whitebark pines Pinus albicaulis  at the treeline on Mt Lassen in Northern California that come pretty close. This photo is from Carlos van der Vaart on facebook.

2017 Japanese Bonsai & Garden Calendars

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Our Site Wide Sale* is rolling along
Now is the time to get your 2017 Japanese Calendars

 

*Sale does not include our amazing Green T Turntable
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Need the Right Present for Your Bonsai Mate?

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Need the right present for your bonsai mate?

even if he (or she) can’t stand on one leg
on a locked (let along spinning) turntable
they’ll still love their Green T

it’s a truly remarkable deal!

Though you might expect to pay at least twice as much
our amazing Green T professional hydralic lift turntable
is only 345.00
with FREE Shipping included (U.S. only)
(by agreement with the manufacturer no discounts apply)

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Not only is it a great tool, but it’s beautiful

In Japan hydraulic lift turntables have been the standard for years, but their prohibitive costs have limited their spread in the West. Thanks to professional researchers and the collaboration of well-known bonsai professionals, we are able to offer you a tool inspired by the Japanese turntable and improved in several details (including price).

GreenT is Bigger

The surface is 58cm (23 inches) diameter instead of the usual 50 cm (almost 20 inches). This allows you to work on your largest trees and your smallest trees. You can comfortably use the excess space to have your tools easily accessible.

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Stronger

The work surface is made out of phenolic marine pine plywood which is painted and coated in solid non slip rubber (4 mm thickness, hardness Shore A 70 ). Lifting capacity is up to 200 kg (440 lbs). Tightening screws and threaded bushes are completely made of stainless steel. All the materials used in the construction of Green T guarantee an excellent outdoor weather resistant turntable.

More Useful

Green T features a metal base with five-star support (five horizontal ‘legs’) for maximum stability and a hydraulic foot control lift that adjusts to a maximum height of 60cm (23.6 inches) and a minimum of 43 cm (17 inches). The swing brake of the table can be disconnected with a simple movement of the pedal. Five removable eye screws, located under the bottom edge of the work surface, allow you to anchor your bonsai to the table (see below).

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Lighter

Even with the superior features listed above, at 15 kg (33 lbs), Green T weighs the same as its Japanese competitors.

You Save

Your price for Green T is 345.00
This includes shipping and handling
(U.S. ONLY, international orders will be charged shipping)
This comes to about half the price of an imported Japanese turntable.
NO OTHER DISCOUNTS APPLY. Green T is made in Italy.

GreenT messy

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Massive Mugo pine resting on a Green T. The prize winning tree belongs to Paolo Riboli. The turntable could belong to you.

You Save

Your price for Green T is 345.00
This includes shipping and handling
(U.S. ONLY, international orders will be charged shipping)
This comes to about half the price of an imported Japanese turntable.
NO OTHER DISCOUNTS APPLY. Green T is made in Italy.

Visit Stone Lantern for more on our

Green T Professional Hydraulic Lift Bonsai Turntable

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Great Trees, Great Shots

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Sweet Yamadori Shimpaku. Originally from Japan (see text just below). The uncropped original is below.

I just discovered a site that features near perfect photos of exceptional Bonsai. In this line of work, that’s a welcome combination. Their name is Bonsai Baison and their tag line is, “We Are the Best Quality Bonsai Importer from Japan” You can visit them on facebook and on their website.

Our 2017 BONSAI CALENDARS ARE HERE!

and it’s a great time to get yours with our…

…20% to 25% off SITE WIDE SALE

 

 

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Another sweet Shimpaku. Like the photo above, I cropped this one for a closer look. The original is below.

 

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An 'art shot'

Speaking of Shimpaku Junipers…
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our famous Juniper book is doubly discounted

list price 29.95
discounted price 24.95
NOW ONLY 19.96 with your 20% off Site Wide Sale

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The original photo of the lead tree

 

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The other original

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NEW Masters Bonsai Shears Ergonomically Designed by Robert Steven of the Highest Quality Stainless Steel

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NEW Heavy Duty Masters Shears
designed by Robert Steven
of the highest quality stainless steel

each in its own in Wooden Bamboo Box

 

These awesome NEW heavy duty stainless steel bonsai shears were designed by Robert Steven and produced to create a beautiful and superior ergonomic tool for the connoisseur of the finest tools for the best bonsai results. Every curve and detail on this powerful tool ensures comfort and durability as well as artistic beauty. To see it is to be delighted and to hold it and use it is to be doubly delighted. The material used is highest quality 5Cr1MoV steel processed to hardness HRC60. Because we know this is a tool for the ages, each one has a lifetime guarantee. 8.25″ (210mm)

 

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Bonsai Dreaming (on Such a Winter’s Day)

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I'm guessing that this is a Mugo pine that was originally collected in the mountains of central Europe (the Alps?). It belongs to Mauro Stemberger, a long time favorite here on Bark.

Gearing up for the big push (the whole year condenses to next three or four weeks), so we won’t spend too much time here. Just enough to brighten up your day (on this cold grey and snowy winter’s day) with three of our favorite Mauro Stemberger bonsai from his Italian Bonsai Dream website . And to remind you about Stone Lantern and our Site Wide Sale.

Continued below…

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Looks a Norway spruce, though a quick search turned up nothing on this tree and Mauro doesn't say. No matter, it's a superb classically styled conifer.

 

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I think we've shown this one before. Like the one at the top of the post, I'm guessing that it's a Mugo, though if you've been paying attention you know that my guesses are a 50-50 proposition.

 

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Giving Thanks for Great Bonsai & Much More

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This tree won First prize for the Finest Bonsai at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It's a Mountain Hemlock,(Tsuga mertensiana) that belongs to Eric Schikowski. Photo courtesy of Bill Valavanis.

It’s Thanksgiving today (U.S. American Thanksgiving that is, our friends just north of here celebrated theirs last month). I should be getting dressed and out the door, but before I go we’ll take a quick dip back into our archives. This one is from September. It was the first of many posts that were inspired by our 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. Seems appropriate to the occasion.

Just home from the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition and sorting through memories and notes while flashing mental images of great trees, good people and a still palpable sense of excitement.

It will take a while to sort things out, so more to come… but meanwhile, we’ll start with Bill Valavanis. The man behind the Exhibition and so much more in our bonsai world.

Continued below…

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Bill Valvanis' famous Scots Pine. This photo was taken in 2013. Now, three years later, it's even more impressive.

Walking into the Exbition, the first tree you see is Bill’s now famous Dwarf (but very large) Scot’s pine. Though I’d seen several photographs over the years, I was floored by just how big, powerful and magnificent it is up close. The photos here, like all photos of great bonsai, don’t do justice (we work with what we have).

Wandering through the display area, I almost immediately ran into Bill himself. Dispensing with the usual haven’t-seen-you-for-a-long-time pleasantries, he grabbed me for a quick tour. He wanted to show me three trees that had been shown at Japan’s famous Kokufu Exhibition (it’s a great honor to be excepted into Kokufu) and a couple others he was excited about.

Meanwhile a rapidly expanding crowd started following Bill and asking questions, so all too soon my personal tour came to an end. Still, I was honored by Bill’s attention. Stopping and sharing his enthusiasm was a nice touch. Off to a good start…

Continued below…

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The hero of the day, Bill Valavanis with his famous Scot's pine (the photo was taken several years ago).

Just in case you don’t know Bill Valavanis, he is perhaps the most important living human when it comes to cultivating and promoting the art of bonsai in North America. Bill’s energy and enthusiasm for all things bonsai is unrivaled and his list of his accomplishments and contributions is encyclopedic. Now we have five (and counting) U.S. National Bonsai Exhibitions, each better than the last, to add to everything else Bill has done to promote bonsai in North America and beyond.

If I had to chose one word to describe Bill, I would say brilliant and tireless (okay two words….). See you in Rochester in 2018!

Meanwhile, our sponsor has asked me to remind you about our
NEW 20% to 25% off SITE WIDE SALE
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Bonsai Wire, Tools and Everything Else*
20% off orders up to 100.00
25% off orders 100.00 or more
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and the book Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees

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When Was the Last Time You Saw a Trunk with so much Power and Character?

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This has to be one of the most compelling bonsai I've seen in a while. It has that wild, not overly refined look and 'just so' deadwood (it's not dominated by deadwood like so many trees). But the real deal is the trunk. When was the last time you saw a trunk with so much power and character?

Hopelessly behind schedule with Thanksgiving and other family and friend obligations looming, not to mention my other job (Stone Lantern) and its daily demands… So to save precious time, we’re going to rerun a post on one of my all time favorite trees.

This before and after is more about refinement than styling rough stock. Less daunting perhaps, but only someone skilled in the art of bonsai can do what you see here. In this case, that someone is Gabriel Romero Aguade (Bonsai Sant-boi) (this isn’t the first time we’ve featured him on Bark).

Continued below…

Yesterday we received a NEW shipment of

Kilo & other Bonsai Aesthetics wire

this is your chance to fill out your supply while
Everything at Stone Lantern is

20% to 25% off

 

beforeBefore. Already a very impressive bonsai. Just needs an expert hand to bring out its best.

Though no name is mentioned, the tree looks like a Yew. You can tell by the foliage and the reddish bark. Yew bonsai are popping up everywhere. Especially in Europe with the English (aka European) yew (Taxus baccata), where there seems to be an abundance of good stock.

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Includes our vast selection of Tools
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or the book, Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees

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If You Want to Grow Bonsai Indoors, You’d Be Hard Pressed to Find Trees Better Suited than Ficus

ficus3This powerfully built gem is from Ficus, the Exotic Bonsai by Jerry Meislik.

Our American (U.S. that is) Thanksgiving is this week, so I thought I’d resurrect a post on the topic from three years ago. I’m not flying anywhere this year, but does it really matter?

I’m headed out again. Tomorrow will be another day spent in an airborne cattle car. Then Thanksgiving with family. I know there are some people who’d rather spend time in a cattle car than with family, but I like mine, so I guess I’m lucky.

Though if someone is going to misbehave at the dinner table, it’s more likely me than anyone else. But I’ll hold my tongue and keep it civil.

Continued below…

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A large Willow leaf ficus with some impressive aerial roots from Ficus, the Exotic Bonsai.

I’m not sure Ficus bonsai has anything to do with Thanksgiving. Still, if you want to grow bonsai indoors (winter or year round), you’ll be hard pressed to find subjects better suited than ficus, though some varieties are better suited than others.

A couple that I’ve had luck with are the Green Island (F. microcarpa) and the Too Little (F. benjamina ‘Too Little’). I’ve also had some luck with the Willow Leaf ficus (F neriifolia). If you have any experience with other varieties (successful or otherwise), let us know.

A large Benjamina with a well developed nebari by Bradley Barlow.



This simple Willow leaf planting is from a bonsai exhibit on Morikami Museum & Japanese Garden website. Though it's far from a masterpiece, it does have some charm and is the type of project that almost any beginner might attempt.
The classic book for Ficus and other bonsai that are suitable for growing indoors. Available at Stone Lantern. Now only 19.96 with your 20% to 25% off Site Wide Sale.

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Contrasting Styles & a Bonsai that is Different from most of the Trees You See

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Bonsai by Minh Hanh. I won't bother to guess the variety.

I know comparisons can be odious, but sometime contrasting things (bonsai in this case), without relying too much on value judgements, can help us see more clearly.

In the 1980s Masahiko Kimura broke bonsai tradition with his outrageously sculptural deadwood that he carved with power tools. Looking back though, you can still see the influence of the Japanese bonsai aesthetic in everything he did.

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One of Masahiko Kimura's more outrageously sculpted bonsai. From our Masters’ Series Juniper book.

 

b1jun-2Our Masters’ Series Juniper book is now
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That aesthetic is still in play in Japan and much of the world. We’re so used to it, that it’s often hard to see. Until we come across bonsai that aren’t in that mold. Like the tree by Minh Hanh that you see at the top of this post (and below).

Before you get excited, I know the difference between bonsai and penjing. Or at least I think I do, though the line is often blurred. But the tree shown here is a bonsai, even if we choose to call it penjing. It’s a bonsai that is different from most of the trees you see in North America and much of the rest of the world.

 

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The back of Minh's tree? Or, should it be the front? Does it matter?

Anyway. I really like Minh’s tree. It seems uncontrived. Simple and sweet. And as always, good stock never hurts.

 

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Zhao Qingquan’s famous Penjing book is now
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