Not too many I try not to clutter Bonsai Bark with too many Stone Lantern promos, still, selling books, tools and the other stuff is how we make our living, and that’s necessary and good. For us, and for you (check out the discounts). Three more rare out-of-print old issues of Bonsai Today just went up on Stone Lantern. Including 17, the famous transplanting issue (we only have 3, so don’t wait).
Two plus zero (plus one later) makes three installments These illustrations represent tw0 pages from Bonsai Today issue 66 (out of stock, see previous post). It’s the second installment (here’s the first) of a five page series on ramification (branching) that we are running over three posts (I originally said two posts, but have decided to expand to three).
In our post, way back on Monday, we featured a how-to on deciduous branching (more to come later today). In the post I said that Bonsai Today 66 is in stock. Well, it’s not. I was wrong and over the last couple days, several of you have tried to order it. My apologies for getting your hopes up. However, most issues of Bonsai Today are still in stock, including almost every one after 66 and many before 66, including some old rare very slightly used ones.
These illustrations represent a page from Bonsai Today issue 66 (in stock at Stone Lantern). It’s the first of a five page series on ramification (branching) that we are running over two posts. Ramification equals branch development Ramification literally means branch development, or how branches growing. However, when it comes to the art of bonsai (and especially deciduous bonsai) it has come to mean branch development that displays a couple key features: taper and fine branching. These features are critical when it comes to developing quality deciduous bonsai. Deciduous trees develop rapidly…. … but they also lose their shape rapidly. … Continue reading Developing Ramification on Deciduous Bonsai
This image is from an extensive article on wiring in Bonsai Today issue 1. Turning a how-to wiring lesson into a game The photos below show how to wire a primary branch and five secondary branches without crossing wires; presented as an interesting and instructive game. BTW: if you need any wire for your own wiring games… Wait! Before you go any further, see if you can figure out how to wire all five secondary branches (a-e) without crossing any wires.
Bonsai Today issue 1, second edition (issue 1 is the only issue to have two editions). There are very few left I’ve been going through our collection of rare old, long out-of-print and out-of-stock Bonsai Todays, and putting them up on Stone Lantern. We only have a few that we’ve bought back from people over the years, but my intention is to offer them all (except for one set for my personal collection). So far I’ve put up all the single digit issues we have, as well as issues 10 and 11, with more to come.
Soma-Yaki pot. From Bonsai Today issue 61. An example of traditional Tojoku pottery. Only a few still exist (the Tojoku kiln started in 1647). Celadon green porcelain, with the characteristic Soma-yaki crackled pattern. Height 15″ (38cm). Width at the top 17.3″ (44cm). Takagui Bonsai Museum The two pots shown here are from the famous Takagui Bonsai Museum in Tokyo. If you’d like to see more exquisite pots from this collection, check out Bonsai Today issue 61. Sakaida Kakiemon pot. White porcelain decorated with bellflowers. Length 12.8″ (32.5cm).
Moss Milkshake. Just add water. Grows up to 20 square feet of just the kind of moss you want for your bonsai. Something new We haven’t had a new product for a while now (except for some rare out of print issues of Bonsai Today… not exactly new really), though there is a new Japanese gardening book that’s on its way (stay posted). Field grown bonsai stock… …is coming soon too.
An informal upright English hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) from the cover of Bonsai Today issue 36 (only two copies available). When it comes to flowering trees, Japanese bonsai artists (and many others) often look at how the design of the tree shows off the flowers, rather than looking for how the tree conforms to classical bonsai styles. In other words, this tree, without it showy display of flowers is nothing special. With its flowers though, it lights up and becomes a thing of great beauty. This flowering azalea would stand as an excellent bonsai even without its flowers. With it showy … Continue reading More Flowering Bonsai
This wildly colorful Satsuki Azalea is from a Flowering Bonsai Gallery in Bonsai Today issue 65. If you take a close look at the flowers, you’ll see that there are a number of different shades and patterns. Mother nature needed a little help from her friends to accomplish this kind of striking variation. For the best information on Satsuki Azaleas in print, check out Robert Callaham’s Satsuki Azaleas for Bonsai and Azalea Enthusiasts. Speaking of Bonsai Today We have finally decided to put up parts of our out-of-stock and now rare Bonsai Today collection of older long gone issues (except … Continue reading Flowering Bonsai