Great Bonsai Shots – a Story of Time & Human Artistry

A story of time and human artistry. This shot (looks like a Japanese white pine) is from Kunio Kobayashi’s famous Shunkaen Bonsai Museum in Edogawa, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan. When I first saw it, I was sure that it’s from the tree below. After closer examination, I’m not so sure. All the photos in this post are from the Shunkaen Bonsai Museum fb timeline The Shunkaen Bonsai Museum was founded by the great bonsai master, Kunio Kobayashi. Here’s what Mr Kobayashi wrote about the museum… “The Museum was built with the ambition to spread Japanese culture, especially Bonsai in a new way … Continue reading Great Bonsai Shots – a Story of Time & Human Artistry

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

Bjorn’s Bonsai for the Memory Bank

Before and after Juniper procumbens by Bjorn Bjorholm. The most obvious improvement is the foliage mass, but if you take a close look you see can many more changes, particularly the highlighting of the live vein (especially at the top of tree) It’s time to revisit Bjorn Bjorholm one of our most talented young bonsai artists – many of whom, including Bjorn, apprenticed in Japan. The photos and quoted text in this post are from Bjorn’s blog Before we go any further, do yourself a favor and take a look at Bjorn’s Advanced Bonsai Course. The price is right and if you take … Continue reading Bjorn’s Bonsai for the Memory Bank

Bonsai, Before & After – Evolution & Elevation of a Native Scots Pine

Jan Culek’s caption for this yamadori pine reads… “Evolution of native Czech Sylvestris pine between the years 2013-2017.” In English Pinus sylvertris is commonly called Scots pine. Jan makes no mention of the slab pot or the deadwood stand that supports it Here’s one more post featuring the bonsai of Jan Culek. It’s an unusual before and after of a yamadori Scots pine. The tree itself is distinctive enough and shows off Jan’s skills, but I think it’s the deadwood underneath the tree that that elevates the bonsai and causes the whole presentation to stand out (if you suffer from fear of puns, please accept … Continue reading Bonsai, Before & After – Evolution & Elevation of a Native Scots Pine

Before and After on a Well Established Bonsai

A maintenance before and after. No variety is listed, but it looks like it might be a Shimpaku juniper. The artist is Jan Culek. You might notice the GREEN T Hydraulic Lift Turntable Sticking with Jan Culek, our newfound bonsai artist (see yesterday). This one is a fairly simple maintenance before and after. The shape and other main features have already been established, so it’s time to bring it back to its previous beauty (and beyond). Mostly it’s a matter of thinning the overgrown foliage, cleaning the deadwood and applying lime sulfur, and also cleaning and brushing the the live veins to bring out their natural beauty. … Continue reading Before and After on a Well Established Bonsai

If You Only Visit One Bonsai Event This Year…

THE ONE BONSAI SHOW NOT TO MISS! Time to register and make your plans for accommodations etc. Bill Valavanis has all the information you need right here Come visit us and our field grown Larches in the Vendors Section. We look forward to seeing you there! Bill Valavanis air layered these three Koto Hima Japanese maples from the same tree back in 1986 BONSAI WIRE SPECIAL KILO ROLLS 17.95 EACH ONLY 15.95 EACH FOR 3 OR MORE ROLLS ONLY 14.95 EACH FOR 10 OR MORE ROLLS 500 GRAM ROLLS 9.95 EACH ONLY 8.95 EACH FOR 3 OR MORE ROLLS ONLY 7.95 EACH FOR 10 OR MORE ROLLS … Continue reading If You Only Visit One Bonsai Event This Year…

Something for Bonsai Rock Planting Lovers & Fans

Great stone. Great planting. All but the lowest juniper appear to be growing in pockets of soil in the stone. This is referred to as a root-on-rock bonsai. It looks like the lowest one has its roots growing down into the pot (protected for now by moss). This would be root-over-rock style. The artist is Jan Culek Continuing our rock planting theme from yesterday… Most large complex stones for bonsai plantings are made by human hands, and the ones shown here are no exception. They’ll all by Jan Culek GREAT BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL ENDS SUNDAY NIGHT 40% OFF LIST PRICES ALL BONSAI AESTHETICS TOOLS INCLUDING … Continue reading Something for Bonsai Rock Planting Lovers & Fans

Hanging off a Cliff Somewhere in the Alps

This very distinctive bonsai belongs to Mauro Stemberger. The rock was made by Erik Križovenský, a master of unique pots and other creative vessels for planting bonsai. No mention is made of the type tree, but it looks like some type of Juniper. I cropped Mauro’s original photo (below) to get a closer look and to eliminate some background noise It’s past due time to revisit Mauro Stemberger, an old favorite here on Bark. If you’d like to see more of what Mauro is up to you can visit him on facebook and on his Italian Bonsai Dream website. You can also visit … Continue reading Hanging off a Cliff Somewhere in the Alps

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

25% – 75% off Bonsai Items Special Ends Tonight

SUMMER SPECIAL ENDS TONIGHT Hundreds of BONSAI & GARDEN Items 25% to 75% off List Prices – this amounts to about half of our total inventory Stonelantern.com SPECIAL ENDS at 11:59pm EDT Tonight, Monday, July 23rd Bonsai Tools Bonsai Wire Bonsai Books Fertilizers High Impact Plastic Bonsai Pots Bonsai Soil and much more 25% TO 75% OFF LIST PRICES STONELANTERN.COM SPECIAL ENDS at 11:59pm EDT Tonight, Monday, July 23rd FREE Shipping on Continental U.S. orders 75.00 or more but only if you choose free shipping when you check out StoneLantern.com