Is This Really One Tree in Two Pots?

Is this really one tree in two pots? Or is it a just a bit of tricky photography? This might be settled by more photographs taken from different angles, but this one is all we have and there’s no written explanation. Anyway, I’m inclined to believe that it is what it appears to be… but then we’ve been fooled before. It was posted by Trang Jira. His only caption is the word Diospyios* We don’t usually feature novelty bonsai (with the possible exception of halloween specials- see below). Still, and though one tree in two pots is a novelty, it is a decent … Continue reading Is This Really One Tree in Two Pots?

Sold! That Compact Muscular Look

I really like this sturdy little jewell. Not only is a Larch, a favorite in this part of the world – with that aged bark that adds a genuine bonafide to any bonsai – but it also has that compact muscular look that I’m often attracted to. But not to just any compact muscular bonsai, rather one like this, that shows a certain skill in the art of styling and refining bonsai. The species is European larch (Larix decidua). The skilled artist is Will Baddeley. BTW, Will recently sold this little gem Here’s what Will Baddeley wrote about this tree in answer to my inquiry… “Ok. … Continue reading Sold! That Compact Muscular Look

Choosing the Right Bonsai Pot – Oval or Rectangle?

Which pot would you choose for this Western juniper?* There’s a direct path from Michael Hagedorn (see our last two posts) to his teacher Boon Manakitivipart (aka Bonsai Boon). This post originally appeared here in June, 2015. Sooner or later every serious North American bonsai artist is influenced by Boon Manakitivipart. For some, this influence is face to face (if you’re lucky). Or indirectly through one of his students that now teach bonsai (Michael Hagedorn is one of many). And then there are his regular posts on facebook (including our our source for this post) that are full of generous pointers and bonsai inspiration. Three … Continue reading Choosing the Right Bonsai Pot – Oval or Rectangle?

More Before & After Bonsai Mania

Juniper before and after, by Michael Hagedorn, Crataegus Bonsai. Michael says it’s a Juniper procumbens, but it looks a lot like a J. procumbens ‘nana’ to me (that’s the dwarf cultivar), especially in the before below. Continuing with our Before and After mania. This one is from our archives (way back in July, 2010) with some value added today. I have long been a big fan of Michael Hagedorn’s bonsai and his approach to bonsai (here are some of our previous posts on Michael and his bonsai that you might like). Continued below… KILO WIRE ONLY 15.95 this exceptional special ends tomorrow Only 14.35 … Continue reading More Before & After Bonsai Mania

Bonsai from Scratch – Before & After

I think this qualifies as ‘from scratch.’No small amounts of skill and imagination were required to get from what you see on the left to what you see on the right. You’ve got the good makings of a trunk and a lot of potential leaders and branches to choose from, but beyond that it’s pretty rough. The artist is Paolo Salemi. Here’s his caption… “Thuja, before and after 5 years. I start working on this tree in the 2012, work in progress…” Time to pick up our recurrent before and after series. Several things struck me about this one… first, it’s a ‘true’ … Continue reading Bonsai from Scratch – Before & After

Culture & Local Bonsai Styles

This venerable, naturally dwarfed Ponderosa pine belongs to American/British bonsai artist and teacher, Colin Lewis. Colin lives on the coast of Maine. Ponderosa pines grow in the inland mountains of the western U.S.; two distinctively different environments This post originally appeared here in June, 2011. It was titled Local Bonsai Styles 2: Growing Conditions, Native Species & Culture. I’ve done a little editing and rewriting If you get a chance, take a look at the comments from the last post (from June, 2011). They provide insight into what started as a simple post with a single idea: the effects of human culture … Continue reading Culture & Local Bonsai Styles

Shopping for Bonsai in Japan

I’ve always had a soft spot for three fingered Shohin bonsai (bonsai that are easily held with three fingers). Particularly ones from Japan, where most of the good ones seem to show up… at least in photos. This one looks like a Shimpaku juniper. It’s from Bonsái Pavía, as are all the photos in this post. Today must be my lucky day. Not only did I discover a new bonsai company (new to us at least), I also discover a never before used theme for Bonsai Bark… shopping for bonsai in Japan. The new company is Bonsái Pavía in Madrid, Spain. They’re the ones doing … Continue reading Shopping for Bonsai in Japan

Winter Bonsai Silhouettes – Coming Sooner than You Think

In addition to the massive nebari and the lush soft green foliage contrasted with the soft creme pot, you might appreciate the near perfect photograph. It was taken by the omnipresent Joe Noga (all the photos in this post are his as are numerous other bonsai photos featured on this blog and elsewhere). As you can see, the tree is a Willow leaf ficus. No mention is made of the artist. The photo is from the 2016 Winter Silhouette Bonsai Expo gallery. I can’t say with certainty that this year’s Winter Silhouette Bonsai Expo will be the best yet, but there’s a good … Continue reading Winter Bonsai Silhouettes – Coming Sooner than You Think

A Small Man Contemplates a White Pine from Below

I borrowed this delicious little gem from Michael Bonsai. Michael doesn’t say who it belongs to or what it is, but given his fondness for Japanese black pines, and given that it looks like a Japanese black pine, well you get the drift. We could even go a little further and speculate that Michael took this photo in Japan; he’s been know to do such things and the tree does have a Japanese feel Continuing from yesterday with Michael Bonsai photos and another plug for this weekend’s Mid-America Bonsai Society Show & Sale… KILO ROLLS ONLY 15.95 Only 14.35 per roll … Continue reading A Small Man Contemplates a White Pine from Below

Calligraphy & the Origins of Bonsai

Calligraphy anyone? I don’t know if calligraphy was on Mario Komsta’s mind when he styled this remarkable tree. I do know that there was a time when bonsai that looked like calligraphy was popular and that many scholars agree that bonsai was, in part at least, inspired by the calligraphy of the old Chinese masters. This is especially true of literati style bonsai (bunjin in Japanese). Headed out of town this morning, so we’ll make this quick and easy. This post originally appeared here on Bark in 2013. I started out to continue our Hornbeam series, but got distracted by … Continue reading Calligraphy & the Origins of Bonsai