The Tao of Bonsai

This famous three-tiered tree, is a good example of how a bonsai can express both movement and stillness. All three tiers, bottom, top and middle move to the right, yet the overall effect is one of balance and stillness. Our friend and associate Robert Steven is the artist. This post originally appeared in February, 2011. It’s one of dozens of Bark posts on the bonsai of Robert Steven, a long time leader in promoting and advancing the art of bonsai. The trees shown here are from Robert’s facebook photos. Bonsai Wire Special 500 gram rolls Only 9.50 each A simple … Continue reading The Tao of Bonsai

Little Bonsai Beans

The sweet little Japanese maple belongs to Hiroshi Kunii. Hiroshi calls the pot Maru (circle in Japanese). The tiniest bonsai are called Mame in Japanese (bean in English) and the little trees shown here certainly qualify. They (including the pots) are by Hiroshi Kunii, who is new to us. A noble addition to our list of Japanese bonsai artists and potters. NEW Bonsai Wire Special 500 gram rolls Only 9.50 each 20% to 30% off Selected Bonsai Tools see below Here’s part of Hiroshi’s caption (computer translated from Japanese)… Lesser Spindle (Euonymus Alatus), Shooting date: May 18, 2017, Height: … Continue reading Little Bonsai Beans

Flowering Bonsai & an American in Tokyo

Not a prize winner, but still a mind stopper. Here’s what Bill Valavanis has to say about this remarkable quince: “An unusual cultivar of Japanese flowering quince. This is NOT the Toyo Nishiki cultivar, but rather ‘Takane Nishiki’. Beautiful flowers, unusual container, but I personally do not like the design of the bonsai, so enjoyed the blossoms.” Vacation time is archive time (with some new posts thrown in). This one is from July, 2011. I was looking for something more on Doug Paul’s Kennett Collection (see yesterday). The tree below is his, and the tree above has beautiful flowers and … Continue reading Flowering Bonsai & an American in Tokyo

A Very Impressive North American Bonsai Collection

Fantastic tree! It belongs to Doug Paul (Mr. Kennett Collection). This photo is from the famous Kokufu Exhibition in Tokyo. It’s a great honor to have a tree accepted to Kokufu; only a handful of North Americans have had that honor. Today we’ve got a few photos from Doug Paul’s Kennett Collection, no doubt one of the foremost bonsai collections in North America. The collection – with the exception of any trees Doug keeps in Japan -resides in Kennett Square PA. Continued below… NEW Lower Prices on Bonsai Aesthetics Wire with many sizes individually discounted as well 100 gram – … Continue reading A Very Impressive North American Bonsai Collection

Master Bonsai Potter Gyozan Nakano

I don’t know who styled this wild looking azalea (I don’t read Japanese) but I do know that Master Potter Gyozan Nakano made the pot. Here’s an old one from our archives (July, 2009) that I like. I’ve done a little editing – mostly cringe reduction – but the photos and most of the text are the same. A few years ago I was given a remarkable book by the World Bonsai Friendship Federation, who had received it courtesy of Masahiro Tokuo (President of Kindai Publishing). Since then, it has spent most of its time sitting on my shelf, though … Continue reading Master Bonsai Potter Gyozan Nakano

Two Trees, Quick & Easy

The pot is cut off, but this lush Shimpaku with its strong shari and those expressive little jin, is okay without it… for the moment at least. This tree and the other shown here belong to Mariusz Folda. Mariusz’ bonsai are becoming regulars on Bonsai Bark I’m flying out West today, so we’ll make this one quick and easy. Just two trees with a close up of each. Both full sized photos are from Mariusz Folda’s facebook timeline. The cropping for the closeups was done by our crack Bonsai Bark staff (that’s me) Continued below… NEW LOWER PRICES ON BONSAI … Continue reading Two Trees, Quick & Easy

Dancing with Dragons

Peter Krebs calls this shot Azaleas-Virtual. I’m guessing this means he put the tree and the pot together on his computer and that in real time/space they exist separately. Beyond that… and how nicely they go together… that’s all we’ve got to go on. I’ve long admired Peter Krebs’ pots (here’s your proof) and it’s past due time to do some more admiring. These photos and Peter’s captions are from Peter’s facebook timeline. Peter also has a website where you can peruse and even buy his pots. NEW LOWER PRICES ON BONSAI TOOLS 10% to 30% Lower Roshi Bonsai Tools … Continue reading Dancing with Dragons

Fertilize Your Bonsai for Health & Beauty

Lush summer foliage and impressive deadwood on an old Shimpaku juniper.The lush foliage is the result of timely feeding. The photo is from our Masters Series Juniper book. I know the tree is from Japan, but don’t know who the artist is. Time for a reminder from one of our archival favorites (July, 2015). Nothing has changed since then, except our new lower fertilizer prices. Many, if not most people underfeed their bonsai. There are many reasons why ample fertilizing is critical to developing healthy and beautiful bonsai… 1. It’s up to you. Most bonsai soils don’t contain nutrients. This … Continue reading Fertilize Your Bonsai for Health & Beauty

Two Satsuki in Full Bloom & More Impressive Nebari

Satsuki azalea in full bloom. Nice natural looking nebari too. Artist unknown (for the moment at least). You can find this photo and other great shots like it on Bill Valavanis’ Bonsai Blog. Here’s what Bill has to say about the photos shown in this post … “The Bonsai Society of Upstate New York is holding their 44th Upstate New York Bonsai Exhibition on May 27-28, 2017 at the Monroe Community Hospital in Rochester, New York. Some of the finest bonsai in New York state will be on display for the public to enjoy and learn from too. “These photos … Continue reading Two Satsuki in Full Bloom & More Impressive Nebari

Still Searching for the Perfect Nebari

Stewartias often have strong nebari and this one is no exception. This photo is from a post we did back in July 2014. I didn’t know who the artist was then and I still don’t know. I tried Image Search, which recognized that it’s a Stewartia, but didn’t find this particular tree. This post is a continuation of yesterday’s Bottoms Up! More Nebari How-to. which was taken in part from In Search of the Perfect Nebari – part four, a 2009 Bark post. (In Search of the Perfect Nebari parts four and five are from Bonsai Today issue 64). The … Continue reading Still Searching for the Perfect Nebari