Capital Bonsai – Undressed Elegance

Chinese Elms, Ulmus parvifolia. In training since 1901. This remarkable bonsai was donated to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum by Yee-sun Wu. This and the other photos in this post are from Capital Bonsai, the NB&P Museum’s excellent new blog. Sheer elegance Somehow I missed the December 21st post at Capital Bonsai. It titled ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year.’ Though the song doesn’t do that much for me, the sheer elegance of the leafless trees in the post most certainly do. And though winter is over, or nearly over, for most of us, it was -8F … Continue reading Capital Bonsai – Undressed Elegance

Blazing Bonsai Gallery

The swirl of color and freakishly wild and wonderful form, belongs to Dan Robinson. It’s from Will Hiltz brilliant book (Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees) about Dan and his trees (this one is a Bald cypress, one of the handful a few deciduous conifers on this planet). It’s that time of year… This brilliant Boston ivy appears on the cover of Bonsai Today issue 68 and is part of a gorgeous autumn color gallery (Bonsai Today back issues are currently 70% off at Stone Lantern). A multi-hued Trident maple forest from the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum’s North American Collection. … Continue reading Blazing Bonsai Gallery

Exploring Bonsai Subtleties Courtesy of Robert Steven

Robert’s simulation of a submission by Nyoman Agus (the original is below). Getting down to the finer points So much of what you see and read in bonsai books and elsewhere, just repeats the same old basic principles. Even some of the most experienced teachers seem to fall into this trap. It’s easy to understand, given that bonsai is still fairly young in much of the world and so many of us are still trying to learn those basic principles. But still, it’s a breath of fresh air when someone digs into subtleties that most of us would never think … Continue reading Exploring Bonsai Subtleties Courtesy of Robert Steven

What About Deciduous Bonsai?

You can find this magnificent elm and other seriously stupendous deciduous bonsai at Andy Rutledge’s The Bonsai Journal in an article by Andy with photos by Boon Manakitivipart. In a bonsai world dominated by conifers and tropicals… …it’s a good idea to remember the wonder of deciduous bonsai. Okay, this may be an overstatement, but still, how many top notch elm bonsai do you see on the internet? Warehouse vacation Our warehouse is on vacation until July 12th (it needs a break, not to mention a new paint job). Orders placed before then will be shipped on, or soon after, … Continue reading What About Deciduous Bonsai?

Developing Ramification on Deciduous Bonsai: 3

The third and final set of illustrations in the series (first set, second set). This one deals primarily with shaping with wire after the pinching and pruning has been completed. I suspect that where it say RESTRAINING NEW SHOOTS (top left corner), it should say TRAINING NEW SHOOTS. From Bonsai Today issue 66. Training new shoots The final step in our series is on training the new shoots. Notice how it is suggested that you do it sooner rather than later after the shoots have started to harden. Shaping with wire is almost always the best way, though sometimes just … Continue reading Developing Ramification on Deciduous Bonsai: 3

Developing Ramification on Deciduous Bonsai: 2

Two plus zero (plus one later) makes three installments These illustrations represent tw0 pages from Bonsai Today issue 66 (out of stock, see previous post). It’s the second installment (here’s the first) of a five page series on ramification (branching) that we are running over three posts (I originally said two posts, but have decided to expand to three).

Winter Silhouettes at the National Arboretum

More specifically at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum (through Dec 20th) Here’s what our good friends and colleagues at the NB&PM have to say about their Winter Silhouettes Exhibit: Winter is the best time to enjoy the true mastery of the art of bonsai by observing the “bare bones” of the trees. With no leaves, the structure of a deciduous bonsai reveals how well the artist has created his miniaturized version of nature. The bonsai curator has selected trees from the museum’s permanent collection for a formal display of these living artworks. Other trees from the permanent collection will … Continue reading Winter Silhouettes at the National Arboretum