Three More Bonsai Today Issues Almost Gone Alert!

In case you wanted to complain (you probably didn’t) Occasionally people complain that we don’t tell them when something is almost gone forever. So, you can consider this little promotional post a service (or simply a way for me to try to get into your pocket). Either way, now you know… … that it’s time to panic! Just kidding, you don’t have to panic. However, as of this moment, we have only seven Bonsai Today issue 31 left. All still new (in the unused sense – issue 31 is from 1994) and all still full of timeless bonsai techniques and … Continue reading Three More Bonsai Today Issues Almost Gone Alert!

Vacation Gallery: Enjoy, I’ll Be Back July 2nd

This Trident maple penjing was designed by Quingquan Zhao in 2001 at the Mid Atlantic Bonsai show. It was purchased by Dr. McNear and given to National Bonsai Foundation in honor of his daughter Emily Jane McNear. It reside at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington DC.

The Great Debate part 2: You Be the Judge

This Scot’s pine (Pinus sylvestris) by Walter Pall is from the cover of Bonsai Today issue 104. It was presented by Walter as an example of a naturalistic bonsai. “… too many of these bonsai look like they are made of plastic…” The whole quote, which was written by Walter Pall, and appears in Bonsai Today issue 104, goes like this: “I have seen that the trend in styling is toward more and more refinement, which often takes away all the naturalness. I find that too many of these bonsai look like they are made of plastic and are not … Continue reading The Great Debate part 2: You Be the Judge

Energy Balancing #5: Defoliation

This Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) has been partially defoliated. The first branch is too small relative to the rest of the tree, so the purpose of the defoliation is to speed up the development of the first branch while slowing down the development of the rest of the tree. This works because energy flow decreases in areas that have been defoliated. Conversely, because the energy from the roots has to go somewhere, energy flow increases where leaves are left on. The photos in this post are from Bonsai Today issue 103 (out of print). The article that the photos are … Continue reading Energy Balancing #5: Defoliation

The Great Debate: Naturalistic vs Abstract?

This Rough bark shore juniper is by Boon Manakitipivart. It originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 108. Though it certainly has a rugged, natural feel, does it also have some features (aside from the pot) that are more characteristic of bonsai than of trees growing in the wild? Is there a clear distinction? Back two or three years ago, I was hearing and reading a lot about naturalistic bonsai versus more abstract bonsai. Though I’m not sure that the difference is always that obvious, or that there are only two categories when it come to this discussion, I do get … Continue reading The Great Debate: Naturalistic vs Abstract?

Jin & Shari #3: Power Carving Tools

A power rotary tool (Dremel brand) with a steel wire brush attachment in the skilled hands of François Jeker. From Bonsai Today issue 104 (out of print). The use of carving tools in bonsai In bonsai carving tools are used to create new deadwoood and enhance existing deadwood. There was a day not too long ago when all carving was done by hand. Recently, all that has changed and more and more bonsai artists are using power tools. And not just small rotary tools, but even things like chainsaws and specially designed grinders. Just scratching the surface (so to speak) … Continue reading Jin & Shari #3: Power Carving Tools

Jin & Shari #3: The Three Types of Deadwood

This classic Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora) shows all three types of deadwood: sabamiki (hollow trunk), shari (deadwood on the trunk) and jin (dead branches or dead treetop; if you look closely you’ll see a few little dead branches sticking out). The tree is from our Pocket Bonsai Gallery (it originally appeared on the cover on Bonsai Today issue 43). Backing up and starting over Even though we’ve already posted a couple times on the topic, I’ve decided to go back to the beginning for those of you who don’t know much about deadwood on bonsai. If you’ve been around … Continue reading Jin & Shari #3: The Three Types of Deadwood

Jin & Shari #2: A Western Deadwood Artist

A detail of a Mugo pine (Pinus mugo, also called Swiss mountain pine) that was carved by François Jeker eight years before the photo was taken. François’ expert carving, and the sun, rain, wind and frost have combined to create a natural look and feel. The photo is from Bonsai Today issue 104 (out of print). François Jeker Though I’ve never met him and have only seen photos of him working and the results (like the one above), I suspect that François Jeker is one of the foremost experts, if not THE foremost expert, on deadwood in the West. If … Continue reading Jin & Shari #2: A Western Deadwood Artist

Green Workshop: Fertilizing #3 – A Plan We Like

This healthy looking, well-fed Green Island Ficus (Ficus microcarpa ‘Green Island’), by Alan Kieffer, originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 74, in an article by Mary Miller. A fertilizing program we like The following program is one that I like. Feel free to adjust, elaborate, or simplify according to you needs and preferences. Start with pellets in the very late winter Apply about one third the recommended dosage* of Green Dream or other pellet or chunky natural fertilizer in the very late winter (just before the buds begin to swell).

Bonsai from Nursery Stock – part four

After All this sweet little juniper needs is a good cascade pot and a little time to fill out. It was styled and photographed by David Chauvin. It appeared in Bonsai Today issue 103 (out of print) in article entitled ‘Instant Bonsai’ by Will Heath and Wayne Schoech (pronounced Shay and sitting is this chair typing this at this very moment). Before it showed up in Bonsai Today, it appeared in an Instant Bonsai photo contest held by The Art of Bonsai Project.