Bonsai Today Back Issues 60% off

A tribute to John Naka, the Dean of American Bonsai is featured in Bonsai Today issue 93. Bonsai Today, the benchmark English language bonsai magazine Bonsai Today magazine has long been revered for its depth, range and quality of bonsai articles. For years it was the benchmark English language bonsai magazine, with each issue full of tips and instructions from the masters, dramatic cutting-edge bonsai, and bonsai news from around the world. Making space We’ve decided to sell out our remaining back issues to make space in our warehouse for a host of new products we are introducing. Some issues … Continue reading Bonsai Today Back Issues 60% off

Just Arrived: Bonsai Aesthetics Wire

From an article in Bonsai Today issue 96, titled Wiring 101. Bonsai Today back issues are currently 55% off at Stone Lantern. Bonsai Aesthetics Wire A couple years ago we introduced our now very popular Novice grade Chinese bonsai tools from Bonsai Aesthetics. Now, it’s time for Bonsai Aesthetics anodized aluminum bonsai wire. It comes in two weights (100 gram rolls and 1 kilo rolls). Prices are about half of what you pay for Japanese anodized aluminum wire. Bonsai Aesthetics and Robert Steven Bonsai Aesthetics is owned by Robert Steven, a world-class bonsai artist, author and teacher who often appears … Continue reading Just Arrived: Bonsai Aesthetics Wire

Wiring Tips: Take It All Off (but not too early)

White pine bunjin wired at Taisho en. From ‘The Art of Bonsai.’ Take it all off (but not too early) The following article by John Romano takes on a bit of conventional wisdom about wire scarring. The article originally appeared on the New England Bonsai blog, ‘The Art of Bonsai.’ In John’s own words… “Wiring is an essential technique to create beautiful bonsai. It is not the only means (as some practice the Lignan method of cut and grow) but it is the most efficient way to shape a tree; to open up foliage to let light in; to move … Continue reading Wiring Tips: Take It All Off (but not too early)

Prune or Wire? How About Both?

This wavy image is from Bonsai Today issue 21. The instructions are geared for beginning bonsai enthusiasts. Pruning You can grow decent bonsai without wiring. However, I know of no bonsai that doesn’t require some pruning. If just pruning without wiring works to achieve a desirable effect, then just prune. Trunks and branches that grow without wiring tend to look more natural (as you might expect). Wiring Not all trunks and branches that grow on their own look good. In the top drawing above, the branches are too straight and uninteresting, so wiring is appropriate. Most bonsai artist use wire. … Continue reading Prune or Wire? How About Both?

Current Sale: Only One Day Left

Monday is a new day We are going to change our sale on Monday, so don’t wait if you like this one. Next one Our next sale will be 25% off tools, magazines and kenzans (flower pins). We’ll continue the extra 10% off for orders over $100.

Wire Sale: Someone, Somewhere, is Wiring

A close up of wired branches on a Japanese black pine. From Bonsai Today magazine (I don’t remember which issue). Time to Wire? Not all types of trees are typically wired at the same time of year. And all climates aren’t the same anyway; spring in San Diego comes at least three months before spring here in Vermont (not to mention the bottom half of the planet where everything is backwards) and so forth. It probably goes without saying that all people aren’t the same either. Some ignore the advice of others and just wire when they want. Others strictly … Continue reading Wire Sale: Someone, Somewhere, is Wiring

Sale: Books, Bonsai Wire & Flower Pins (Kenzans)

Only three days left! Sale ends Feb 24th, 2010. Visit Stone Lantern and enjoy large discounts on books, bonsai wire and kenzans (aka flower pins or frogs). Enjoy a large selection of books on bonsai & suiseki, Japanese gardening, general gardening, Ikebana, and Japanese arts and culture. You can also enjoy a very large selection of high quality, affordable kenzans that are made in the USA. Copper colored aluminum bonsai wire for shaping beautiful bonsai. This sale ends Febuary 24th 2010.