When Was the Last Time You Saw a Trunk with so much Power and Character?

This has to be one of the most compelling bonsai I’ve seen in a while. It has that wild, not overly refined look and ‘just so’ deadwood (it’s not dominated by deadwood like so many trees). But the real deal is the trunk. When was the last time you saw a trunk with so much power and character? Hopelessly behind schedule with Thanksgiving and other family and friend obligations looming, not to mention my other job (Stone Lantern) and its daily demands… So to save precious time, we’re going to rerun a post on one of my all time favorite … Continue reading When Was the Last Time You Saw a Trunk with so much Power and Character?

The Maximum with the Minimum

Even though the crown is leaning back a bit, I’m going to call this side the front, given that it provides the best view of the trunk and the deadwood. The four photos of this tree are by Haruyosi, as are the tree and the pot. Still enjoying a short vacay, so we’ll show you another Haruyosi rerun (see yesterday). And while we’re at it, why not start at the beginning (March, 2014)? Our first of many Haruyosi posts. We don’t usually show four shots of the same bonsai, but I like this little tree a lot and the shots … Continue reading The Maximum with the Minimum

Satsuki Bonsai – A Passion for Variety & Beauty

This wildly colorful Satsuki Azalea is from a Flowering Bonsai Gallery in Bonsai Today issue 65 (image courtesy of Bonsai Focus). If you take a close look at the flowers, you’ll see that there are a number of different shades and patterns. A mark of human passion for beauty and endless variation. There are few things as delightful as Satsuki azalea bonsai in full bloom. Especially in person. Lacking that, next best are high quality photos of Satsuki azalea in full bloom. Especially during the darkest and coldest days of winter. We borrowed this stunning (some might say gaudy) Satsuki … Continue reading Satsuki Bonsai – A Passion for Variety & Beauty

A Simple Bonsai Wiring Lesson

Flying home today from the SF part of my Portland trip (Artisans Cup) and time is compressed, so I’ll borrow a little something from Mary Miller’s Bonsai Banter: “I was searching for Collin Lewis’ website. While browsing, I discovered Colin on Craftsy.com giving a video lesson. The ‘Bonsai Wiring Essentials’ is listed as free. I watched the entire program.” “Colin is a talented author and speaker, as well as bonsai artist. His easy going, clear instructions will answer all of your questions about wiring your bonsai. Best wire and tools? Copper or aluminum and the difference? How long to leave … Continue reading A Simple Bonsai Wiring Lesson

The Winners & the Wonderful & Well-Organized Chaos & Delights of the Artisans Cup

The winner (captured by my cellphone camera amidst the push and pull of ten thousand museum visitors). It’s a Rocky mountain juniper that belongs to Randy Knight. Up early to catch a plane and still reeling from the wonderful and well organized chaos and delights of the Cup. The people, the venue, Portland, old friends. And of course the truly amazing bonsai. I’ll apologize up front for any mistakes in attribution and failures to link. I haven’t had time to begin to sort through the hundreds of photos of trees people and places, but we have start somewhere and that … Continue reading The Winners & the Wonderful & Well-Organized Chaos & Delights of the Artisans Cup

Before & After – What Would You Do?

Before you look at the after picture below, consider this: you are visiting Aichi-En Bonsai Nursery in Japan for two weeks and you’re tasked with wiring and styling this Japanese white pine. What would you do? The photos shown here are from Jeremiah Lee’s Yenling Bonsai Blog. In Jerimiah’s own words… “Over the past two weeks I did a visiting apprenticeship at Aichi-En Bonsai Nursery in Nagoya, Japan. Nothing but eat, sleep and Bonsai for two weeks.” Jerimiah goes on to say… “With this tree I’m going to show a useful technique I learned for creating a good anchor point … Continue reading Before & After – What Would You Do?

Powerful Pines & Bonsai Wire

This powerful pine with its aged, heavily plated bark (reminiscent of our North American Ponderosa pines, especially the reddish section at the base of the trunk) is one of many spectacular trees displayed at the recent 2012 BCI convention in China. This and all the photos in this post are courtesy of Robert Steven. Summer sun beckons, so we’ll take the easy way out once again. This post, with some text added today (in italics) originally appeared in April, 2013. Pines now, the rest later. Robert Steven just sent us a whole host of great photos from the recent 2012 … Continue reading Powerful Pines & Bonsai Wire

FREE Bonsai Fertilizer

A healthy mix of plant nutrients is big part of why this Brazilian Rain Tree’s lush canopy is shimmering with life. It belongs to Budi Sulistyo. FREE Bonsai Fertilizer with your Stone Lantern order of 50.00 or more but only if you put FREE in the comments when you check out FREE 8oz (1/2 lb) bag of Green Dream Bonsai Fertilizer all you have to do is place a 50.00 order at Stone Lantern and put FREE in comments when you check out While we’re at it…. Did you know that we are practically giving away Kilo Rolls of … Continue reading FREE Bonsai Fertilizer

Bonsai Tool & Wire Sales Ends Tonight

20% to 30% off all Roshi Bonsai Tools plus 10% off Stone Lantern orders 100.00 or more Roshi tools are famous for beauty, precision cutting, durability & great prices Tool & Wire Sales End Tonight, Sunday, Aug 2nd at 11:59pm EDT 25% off 500 gram (1.1 lb) rolls of Bonsai Aesthetics Wire plus 10% off Stone Lantern orders 100.00 or more Bonsai Aesthetic Tool Sale also ends Tonight Now Back in Stock! Bonsai Aesthetics All purpose Bonsai, Garden & Household Scissors These amazingly sharp, durable and very handy all-purpose scissors-shears are good for almost everything now only 5.63 with your … Continue reading Bonsai Tool & Wire Sales Ends Tonight

More Bonsai Color & a Snake About to Strike

This is one of those azaleas that would look good even without the flowers. Speaking of the flowers, I suspect the photo has been shopped a bit as the color is a little too bright. You can find this and the other four photos shown here (along with a couple dozen others) at the Akademia Bonsai web gallery. We’ve been featuring a lot of color lately, especially Satsuki azaleas in bloom and the response has been very positive, so here are a couple more azaleas for your enjoyment and some fall color as well (apologies for those of you who … Continue reading More Bonsai Color & a Snake About to Strike