Precision, Power & that Natural Feel

I don’t think there are many trees in our bonsai universe this powerful and that are styled with such precision (and without sacrificing the natural feel). It’s a Ficus by Min Hsuan Lo (Min doesn’t give the variety, but does say there are details in his book, Bonsai Journey). You don’t see many defoliated Ficus either. The absence of leaves allows you to better see the structure and fine branching, both of which are exquisite (in case you didn’t notice). I like the pot too. Its dark reddish-brown helps bring out the texture of the trunk and also highlights the … Continue reading Precision, Power & that Natural Feel

Paying a Visit to an Old Friend

There’s something about a beautiful bonsai in flower. If you let your eyes linger for a few moments, you’ll notice how the seemingly perfectly placed flowers enhance the power of the tree rather than overwhelm it. It’s a bougainvillea by Robert Steven. All this photos in this post are from Robert’s facebook gallery. Always a pleasure It has been a while since we’ve featured the bonsai of Robert Steven. In addition to being one of the foremost bonsai artists and teachers on this fierce and lovely planet, Robert is also a friend. Not in the ordinary sense of buddies you … Continue reading Paying a Visit to an Old Friend

National Bonsai Exhibition Video

3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition video by BonsaiInBuffalo.com Bill Valanvanis just posted an excellent new video by BonsaiInBuffalo.com. You can purchase the DVD at International Bonsai. You can also view it on YouTube. Bon appetit! I captured a few shots from the video to give you a small taste and perhaps whet your appetite for more. Jim Doyle’s Eastern White Cedar. That’s Bill on the left. Yasuo Mitsuya, one of the three judges, is the gentleman in the center toward the back. Marty Schmallenberg’s Elm. Vendor’s area. Stone Lantern is the red and blue … Continue reading National Bonsai Exhibition Video

Bougainvillea Bonsai: Brilliant Or A Little Too Brazen?

You have to use your imagination for the pot, but not much imagination when it comes to color. This photo and the others in this post are from an article on Chinese bougainvillea on Bonsai-Penjing. You be the judge One of the many things I like about southern climes are the colorful bougainvilleas that you often see gracing balconies and draped along buildings and walls. It’s as if bougainvilleas and walls were made for each other. But what about bougainvilleas and bonsai? In some cases the two go together very well. I’ll let you be the judge of the trees … Continue reading Bougainvillea Bonsai: Brilliant Or A Little Too Brazen?

A True Gentleman & A Very Large Tree

It’s not often we feature photos of people on this blog, but, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to show you this photo of Jim Smith, one of the true gentlemen in our bonsai community, and a master of large tropical trees (this one looks like a Portulacaria). The photo was posted on facebook by Mareta Martell today with this caption: ‘big bonsai 300 years old by Jim Smith’ (we know it’s not really 300). A remarkable place It’s been way too many years since I visited Jim Smith’s Durastone Nursery in Vero Beach. Florida. It’s a remarkable place; just … Continue reading A True Gentleman & A Very Large Tree

We Have A Winner

This is the tree that gave people the most trouble. You can blame facebook if you’d like (unattributed and mis-attributed bonsai abound in that crazy free-for-all world). We have Robert Steven to thanks for setting us straight on this one. It’s a Pemphis acidula and the artist is Adjie Christian. And the winner of our $100 Mystery Bonsai Contest is…. Master Bonsai Detective, Joe Rauscher. For his diligence, Joe will receive a $100 gift certificate to Stone Lantern (scroll down to the bottom for the correct answers). A close second Ferry Freriks was hot on Joe’s heels, so we’ve decided … Continue reading We Have A Winner

Power, Color & A Too Little Forest

Bougainvillea, Wigert’s Bonsai. I originally captured this impressive monster on facebook. I took the liberty of photoshopping to soften the background a bit. In the process, the flowers brightened some (a result of limited photoshop skills, no doubt). Still, even without my help, this tree exhibits a striking combination of power and color. You can visit Wigert’s Bonsai Gallery to see another shot in a different setting. Too Little Ficus Forest. This one was lifted straight from Wigert’s Gallery. It’s cropped a little tight to eliminate some background text, but even so, its balance and beauty are obvious. I like … Continue reading Power, Color & A Too Little Forest

Maximizing Flowers, Miniminzing Distractions

This cheerfully bright bougainvillea (borrowed from Bonsaimania; Bonsái del álbum de Virgie Bambilla) illustrates the principle that: when it comes to flowering bonsai, the tree should be designed and displayed in a way that, first and foremost, shows off the flowers. Success! Is there a problem? This post is in no way conceived to criticize anyone. I understand that most people who post on facebook (or wherever) aren’t necessarily interested presenting highly finished professional type photos. No problem. However, in bonsai display, there are times when the quality of the photo is critical. And for good reason; a well thought … Continue reading Maximizing Flowers, Miniminzing Distractions

Tropical Bonsai with Mary Miller & Friends

Would you say that this prize winning Ficus neriifolia by Ed Trout looks relaxed and sensuous (nothing like anthropomorphizing a bonsai)? Maybe, maybe not; but you’d have to say that it is powerfully stable with it’s wide flowing nebari and stout trunk. To my eyes it combines the traditional bonsai with a very natural uncontrived look. Almost reminiscent of an old live oak on California hillside. All the photos in this post are from Bonsai Mary. Mary’s website Mary Miller is one of genuine Florida bonsai mavens. Her years of experience as a bonsai teacher, author and grower come together … Continue reading Tropical Bonsai with Mary Miller & Friends

A Borrowed Bougainvillea Bonsai: Bracts and All

Bougainvillea. Borrowed from Andolfo Bonsai Studio. Two things stand out; the flowers (actually they are bracts, the little white things are the flowers) and the trunk. You might also notice the how small the pot is relative to the tree. If the purpose of this tree is to show off its colors, then you’d have to say it’s a screaming success. But what if you take away the flowers? Is it still a noteworthy bonsai? Or does that even matter? Are flowering bonsai different? In Japan flowering trees are often designed in ways that show off the flowers first and … Continue reading A Borrowed Bougainvillea Bonsai: Bracts and All