Mystery Bonsai

Our source for this lovely beast doesn’t say a word about the artist or the tree itself, and Image Search proved itself useless again (“Best guess for this image: flowerpot”), so your guess is as good as mine. Getting another late start today* so we’ll make this one short and sweet. Just one magnificent mystery tree. Continued below… NEW Bonsai Fertilizer Special 30% OFF LIST PRICES In addition to Green Dream & other Bonsai Fertilizers this special includes Superthrive, Pro-Tekt, Rooting Compound & Mycorrhizal Fungi Here’s a closer look at the large sabamiki and the rest of the trunk with all the wild texture and movement … Continue reading Mystery Bonsai

Best Conifer, Best Artist, Best in Show

Andres Alvarez Iglesias just won Best Conifer, Best Artist and Best in Show for this exquisitely powerful and distinctive Scots pine at the European Bonsai San Show in Saulieu France. Congratulations to Andres Alvarex Iglesias for a great tree and a great honor!… Here’s facebook’s translation (lightly edited) of what Andres wrote today about winning Best Conifer, Best Artist and Best in Show at the European Bonsai San Show… “It’s difficult to explain with words the feelings that I have in this moment. Thanks to every body who made it possible!!!” Andres’ original Spanish is below Continued below… 7.95 FOR 500 GRAM ROLLS OF BONSAI WIRE IS TOO GOOD TO … Continue reading Best Conifer, Best Artist, Best in Show

Bonsai Impressions – Texture, Movement & Color

It’s hard not to notice what just how powerful this tree is. Even with the apex slightly nipped and most of the pot missing. It’s a Japanese white pine from the 34th Taikan-ten Bonsai Exhibition. Our last few posts have featured bonsai from Kokufu-ten. Today it’s photos from Taikan-ten via Michael Bonsai on facebook. Taikan-ten takes place once a year in Kyoto and is considered by most people to be the second most important bonsai exhibition in Japan if not in the world (Kokufu is the king of bonsai exhibitions). You might notice that none of the photos shown here are conventional front shots that simply show the … Continue reading Bonsai Impressions – Texture, Movement & Color

Bonsai Yesterday, BONSAI TODAY, Bonsai Tomorrow

Though any Kokufu bonsai might work to lead with, there’s something about Quince flowers… Here’s Bill Valavanis’ caption: A small size Toyo Nishiki Japanese flowering quince, Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Toyo Nishiki’ with multiple colored flowers. Although red, pink and white blossoms are common for this great cultivar, I’ve often seen red branches grafted onto specimens to improve color distribution. Getting a late start today, so I’ve decided to take the easy way out and show you some photos that we originally featured in February 2015. They are all from the 2015 Kokufu Bonsai Exhibiton and were lifted directly from Bill Valanis’ … Continue reading Bonsai Yesterday, BONSAI TODAY, Bonsai Tomorrow

Bonsai Times 2,500 and Counting…

I found this impressive root-on-rock juniper in one of our favorite places. No mention of variety or artist, so we won’t mention our source either (see below). Btw, Image Search came up empty If my math is correct, this should be our 2,500th post, give or take. Putting that rather astounding fact aside, today marks the day that we (that’s me) will no longer attribute our source in cases where our source doesn’t bother to attribute theirs or make any effort to identify the variety or provide any other pertinent information. There’s no good reason to credit someone for simply finding a bonsai and posting … Continue reading Bonsai Times 2,500 and Counting…

When to Let a Tree Run Off Leash – by Michael Hagedorn

This luminous Japanese maple in full fall color is from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai Portfolio. I don’t know for sure when, or for how long Michael lets this one off the leash, but after reading the article below, I have some idea. Once again we’re paying homage to the wisdom of Michael Hagedorn, our favorite source for the nitty-gritty of growing bonsai. This time it’s about managing and especially not managing the growth of our trees. The text and Winter Hazel photo below are from Michael’s Crataegus Bonsai blog In Michael’s own words… “We talk endlessly about how to manage the growth … Continue reading When to Let a Tree Run Off Leash – by Michael Hagedorn

Juniper Bonsai – Before, During & After

This Itoigawa juniper (Juniperus sargentii Itoigawa) belongs to Yannick Kiggen of Yama Bonsai Studio. The shot is from Noelanders Trophy 2017. The 200 year old pot is by Nakawatari. The stand was built by Pascal Houdusse This before, during and after sequence, covers four years in the life of Yannick Kiggen’s massive old yamadori juniper (yamadori is bonsai collected from the wild). Yannick bought it in 2014 from Maarten van der Hoeven of Bonsaiplaza, who imported it from Taisho-en in Japan. Continued below… BONSAI BOOK SPECIAL ENDS SOON All of Our Vast Selection of Bonsai Books 20% to 75% off List Prices But only for 2 more days This special … Continue reading Juniper Bonsai – Before, During & After

Bonsai Stories

The smaller trunk was blown over in storm and saved when it landed on a tiny rock island. Fortunately, just enough of the roots are intact and a surviving branch has grown up to become the new crown. One of several stories told by this remarkable planting. The artist is Nacho Marin, a frequent presence here on Bark Traveling today so it’s archive time. This one is from one year ago yesterday The best bonsai tell stories. Usually it’s about hostile environments and hardships, though you could have a robust and stately tree that speaks of a more gentle climate … Continue reading Bonsai Stories

Marc’s Masterpiece

Whoa! Marc Noelanders posted this exquisite composition and my guess is he’s the artist behind it. Here’s his caption… “Another huge wooden wall.Hopefully we’ll see you all next year at Bonsai namaste Convention.” Not a bad idea. Here’s your link to 2018 If you follow Marc Noelanders on facebook you’ve already seen this masterpiece and its 10,000 rave reviews. If not, I’m happy you can see it here I cropped this one for a closer look, though I’m a little nervous about messing with something like this. Maybe you can just imagine that you are standing very close. While you’re here … Continue reading Marc’s Masterpiece

Bonsai in the Palm of Your Hand

The trunk on this sturdy little tree reminds me of any number of massive yamadori Junipers we’ve seen (and featured) from the mountains of western North America. Difference is, there’s no way they’d fit in the palm of your hand Yesterday, was Haruyosi. Today it’s Haruyosi and soon enough it will be Haruyosi again… Roshi Tool Special ALL ROSHI BONSAI TOOLS NOW 25% TO 40% OFF OUR LIST PRICES ROSHI SETS THE STANDARD FOR AFFORDABLE HIGH QUALITY BONSAI TOOLS Another sweet Shimpaku. A favorite of Haruyosi And another… This one is already in a bonsai pot. And just … Continue reading Bonsai in the Palm of Your Hand