An Old Bonsai New Year

This brilliant penjing by Robert Steven appeared in one of our earliest posts (way back in 2009). It’s from Robert’s book Mission of Transformation (now out of print) In three days we’ll turn the digital page on another year of brilliant bonsai and occasionally intelligent comment. On behalf or my two hard working compatriots; Ric Walter (the heart and soul of our warehouse) & Barbara Patitucci (our all-accomplishing jack of all trades) and all the other good people who are part of the Stone Lantern family -Fedex drivers, postal workers, our vendors and countless others who keep our gears oiled – I would like to wish you a Cheerful, … Continue reading An Old Bonsai New Year

Wild Bonsai from Up Near the Tree Line

A great tree with a long story of a rugged life spent on the side of cold snow burdened mountain. Somewhere up near the tree line and far from the cushy life of domestically grown bonsai A little change of pace today; a rugged mix of yamadori (collected from the wild) pines. We originally found them at Amics Del Bonsai Corbera and featured them here last December. None are identified. Nor are their owners. IT’S NOT TOO LATE… orders received by noon EST today (Monday) will be shipped today HOME STRETCH SALE Almost Everything Discounted Some Items as much as 70% off List Prices Order Now for … Continue reading Wild Bonsai from Up Near the Tree Line

Celebrating Our National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

This brilliant Japanese Maple was donated to our National Bonsai and Penjing Museum by Ryutaro Azuma. It has been in training since 1906. The photo is from Capital Bonsai. It’s time to celebrate our National Bonsai and Penjing Museum once again. If you are anywhere near our nation’s capital, or plan on being anywhere near, don’t miss this phenomenal display. Even if you have no plans on being near Washington DC, you can always make new plans. You won’t be disappointed. SITE WIDE SALE UP TO 60% OFF SOME ITEMS EVERYTHING DISCOUNTED MOST ITEMS 30% TO 60% OFF* This and other specials apply only to … Continue reading Celebrating Our National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

American Bonsai Silhouettes

This snowy American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) forest by Gary Clark won the American Bonsai Society Award for Native Species at this year’s Winter Silhouette Bonsai Expo in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Our thanks to Bill Valavanis for this and the other photos shown here. It’s a busy time around here, so with the exception of a few words of my own, this post about the recent Winter Silhouette Bonsai Expo is borrowed from Bill Valavanis (though what you see here is only a small piece of what Bill presented). I strongly urge you to visit Bill’s blog to enjoy his captivating first hand stories and insights … Continue reading American Bonsai Silhouettes

Black Scissors Bonsai

This powerful full-bloom Bougainville with its lovely pot looks like it’s from China. We borrowed it from our friend Robert Steven (see below) Just grabbed a few photos this morning from Robert Steven’s Black Scissors Community. If you’d like explore Robert’s views on these trees and their relationship to full sized trees in nature, here’s your link to his commentary NEW SITE WIDE SPECIAL 20% to 60% off list prices on EverythinG* *there are 4 individual items we cannot discount – see below 20% to 60% off list prices bonsai tools, wire, calendars, books, bonsai magazines, soil, fertilizer, embroidered clothing, bonsai … Continue reading Black Scissors Bonsai

Bonsai Tools 30% to 50% off Ends Tuesday

30% to 50% off list prices BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL ends tomorrow Tuesday, November 28th at 11:59pm EDT – A great opportunity to upgrade you tool selection and enhance your bonsai experience 200 Different Tools, Tools Sets & Kits Roshi Bonsai Tools Koyo Bonsai Tools Bonsai Aesthetics Tools Yoshiaki Bonsai Tools Okatsune Bonsai Tools Others too BONSAI WIRE SPECIAL All Wire Deeply Discounted WIRE SPECIAL INCLUDES BONSAI AESTHETICS 100 GRAM ROLLS ONLY 2.95 500 GRAM (1.1 LB) ROLLS ONLY 8.95 1 KILO (2.2 LB) ROLLS ONLY 15.95 – – Our Amazing Green T Turntables also Discounted Bonsai Today back issue now … Continue reading Bonsai Tools 30% to 50% off Ends Tuesday

Brilliant Bonsai Forests – Quality Bonsai Tools, Wire & Much More

This illustrious forest with its impressively natural, in-scale ground cover is from Bonsai Today issue 23.* Among other things this planting shows how one very strong tree can add drama and power to a forest planting. Though the original doesn’t say, I’ll guess that the trees are Ezo spruce. 30% to 50% off BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL ENDS TOMORROW 30% TO 50% OFF LIST PRICES ALL BONSAI TOOLS & TOOL KITS plus an extra 5% off all orders 150.00 or more Roshi, Koyo, Bonsai Aesthetics, Yoshiaki, Okatsune & more order yours now – only 3 more days including today Ends Tuesday, Nov 28th at … Continue reading Brilliant Bonsai Forests – Quality Bonsai Tools, Wire & Much More

Larch Forest, Twenty Years from Zero

This simple lovely Larch forest belongs to Mariusz Folda. Here’s his caption… “Larix decidua – European Larch. About 20 years ago I made cuttings from a forest larix. I recently noticed that the bark starts to be flaky on the cuttings … am I getting older ;))) ?? There is something very very special to start something from 0 and stick with it. Every time I look at the so simple composition I remind mine self to enjoy what I have. Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude. We must never forget to love and enjoy our trees, even so simple as this forest. Isn’t … Continue reading Larch Forest, Twenty Years from Zero

Bonsai Perfection, 150 Years Old

Borrowed this and the other photos you see here from Michael Bonsai. His caption reads simply… “Goyomatsu – 150 years old” Goyomatsu translates as white pine (goyo is white five needle (thanks to Bill Valavanis) and matsu is pine) In this case, it’s Japanese white pine I don’t know much about this tree, other than it’s a nine trunk Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora) that Michael Bonsai posted, and that it’s among the finest examples of Japanese white pine multiple trunk bonsai I’ve seen. 30% to 50% off BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL 30% TO 50% OFF LIST PRICES ALL BONSAI TOOLS & TOOL KITS plus an extra 5% off … Continue reading Bonsai Perfection, 150 Years Old

Buy a Level for Your Bonsai Bench – Even Better, Use It!

This Red maple (Acer rubrum) is from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai Portfolio. To my mind it represents something basic about the best bonsai. The ones you might pass by while searching for something showy. I was lucky when I was there, Michael pointed this one out and told me a story about it. Now you can read that same story. Micheal, ever the poet philosopher, titled it The Blaze of Autumn Sweetly Burns. This post is a twofer. First there’s the tree above and an invitation to learn more about it and other trees that belong to Micheal Hagedorn. And second … Continue reading Buy a Level for Your Bonsai Bench – Even Better, Use It!