Bonsai Brilliance in Brooklyn

Cork bark Chinese elm in fall brilliance at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. You don’t see that many good Chinese elm bonsai. This photo and the others in this post are from the bonsai collection on the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens website. The positive response to yesterday’s post, got me looking for Wisteria bonsai in our archives, and finally to this post on some bonsai at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden from October, 2015 (the Wisteria is below). Enjoy! Bonsai Aesthetics Tool Special Ends Tomorrow Night 40% OFF OUR LIST PRICES see below – This large root-over-rock bonsai is a Trident maple; the most … Continue reading Bonsai Brilliance in Brooklyn

Towering Bonsai and Other Happy Accidents

Pretty flashy, but it has character that will come through even after the the color fades. It’s a Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) that belongs to Tobie Kleynhans. The Happy Accident in the title is from a post we did two days ago that features bonsai by Tobie Kleynhans. Just so you don’t misunderstand, it was our discovery of Tobie’s bonsai that’s the accident, not his bonsai, which are the happy part. Tobie lives and practices bonsai in South Africa. Bonsai Aesthetics Tool Special Ends Sunday 40% OFF OUR LIST PRICES – Bastard olive. Tobie lists this as a False olive (Buddleja saligna). To quote Wikipedai.. Buddleja saligna, the false, or bastard olive, … Continue reading Towering Bonsai and Other Happy Accidents

Mugo’s Magnificent Bonsai

This magnificent Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) was posted by Enzo ‘Mugo’ Ferrari. Though the trunk and nebari are about as good as it gets, the primary branching still needs some time to develop. Right now there are branches in the crown that are as strong as the first and second branches. Mugo’s skillful hand and eye and a few more years are all that’s needed for perfection Today’s photos are from Mugo (Enzo) Ferrari’s timeline. I think all but one were shot at the recent 2018 Miyabi Ten Bonsai Exhibition in Cison di Valmarino, Italy SPECIAL BONSAI AESTHETICS WIRE KILO ROLLS ONLY 15.95 500 GRAM ROLLS … Continue reading Mugo’s Magnificent Bonsai

“Maybe Not the Best Bonsai in the World, but I Love Them All”

This Trident maple in its coat of many colors belongs to Tobie Kleyhans. One of the great perks of this job is the happy accident. Today’s is the discovery of Tobie Kleyhans’ bonsai. Tobie lives in South Africa and here’s something from his facebook timeline that I like … “Celebrating 20 happy bonsai years! I started this fascinating hobby during the first week of March 1998 and since then had heaps of fun, met the most wonderful people and encountered truly remarkable trees. Here are some of my favourite trees. Maybe not the best in the world, but I love them … Continue reading “Maybe Not the Best Bonsai in the World, but I Love Them All”

Haruyosi’s Flowers

This little Japanese quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) looks old and yet is so small. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but there’s something about the brilliance and purity of quince flowers. Time to visit Haruyosi, one of our all time favorites, especially when it comes to very small bonsai. Some of these photos were just taken in the last few days and others are from years gone by NEW BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL 40% off list prices on all our Bonsai Aesthetics Tools see below – This photo was take two days ago (March 3rd). Here’s Haruyosi’s caption… “This cherry tree ‘Okame’ bloomed … Continue reading Haruyosi’s Flowers

Fat Trunks, Small Pots

Japanese maple, borrowed from Bill Valavanis’ blog. Bill took this photo at this year’s Kokufu (the World’s oldest and most prestigious bonsai exhibition) along with several dozen shots of other remarkable trees. But there’s something about this one that keep me coming back. Part is the way the massive trunk almost fills the pot, something you don’t see every day and almost never with Japanese maples. And there’s more, including the tree’s unusual movement and direction that might make you wonder what it would look like shot from other angles. With the exception of the tree above, all the bonsai shown here belong to Tomohiro Masumi. All, … Continue reading Fat Trunks, Small Pots

Before & After Bonsai, Just for Fun of It

Shimpaku juniper by Suthin Sukosolvisit. Just for the fun of it is Suthin’s tag line with this striking transformation Today we have another extraordinary before and after transformation by our friend, Suthin Sukosolvisit. As always it helps to start with good stock. In fact, good stock is a ticket to great bonsai. Still, could you do what Suthin did? And just for the fun of it? SPECIAL BONSAI AESTHETICS WIRE KILO ROLLS ONLY 15.95 500 GRAM ROLLS ONLY 8.95 100 GRAM ROLLS ONLY 3.45 – Before. So much potential… Bonsai Soil Just Arrived! SPECIAL 20% OFF LIST PRICES ON ALL SOIL Akadama, Kanuma, … Continue reading Before & After Bonsai, Just for Fun of It

Bonsai Pest Control & Special of the Day

I borrowed this photo from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus website. Here’s part of what Michael has to say about it and some other trees he worked on while in Japan… “The work here was done as an apprentice in Japan, from 2003-2006…. in the second half of my apprenticeship, I was allowed a more natural and relaxed feeling in the branching and foliage presentation, represented in this image which won Mr. Suzuki a Prime Minister’s award.” The tree is a Japanese white pine. Michael apprenticed with Mr Suzuki for three years. Here’s your link for the part I left out. Continuing with the bonsai wisdom … Continue reading Bonsai Pest Control & Special of the Day

Don’t Pinch You Juniper Bonsai!

Was this foliage pinched in order to achieve that dense, perfectly refined shape and texture? The answer, according to Michael Hagedorn is an emphatic NO! Except when it isn’t. The image is borrowed from our Masters’ Series Juniper Bonsai book. Thought you might enjoy another round of Micheal Hagedorn‘s bonsai wisdom. Most of this post was borrowed and updated from a 2012 Bark Bark Post titled, Pinch! Don’t Pinch!. We added some content and posted it again in 2015. Because it offers an important lesson for anyone who grows junipers, especially those of us who are in the habit in pinching to control growth, it’s worth another look. Continued … Continue reading Don’t Pinch You Juniper Bonsai!

Cold Weather Bonsai by a Consummate Bonsai Pro

This is the second time we’ve shown this photo. I can’t find where I first found it (and the one just below). It’s sad coming from someone who preaches attribution and identification. Yesterday’s snowy post prompted the following question from Henry L. Miller… “Given today’s post, please update us concerning leaving bonsai outside in 15-30 degree weather.” Seems like a simple enough question, but you’d be surprised how much is involved. So much in fact, that this is a good time to call in Michael Hagedorn, a consummate bonsai pro and heavy lifter. In Michael’s own words… Seasonal Care for Cold Weather… … Continue reading Cold Weather Bonsai by a Consummate Bonsai Pro