Laying An Old Misconception To Rest

Flowering cherry (Prunus apetala) by Kyuzo Murata. From his book Four Seasons of Bonsai (sadly, long out of print). Misconception “in Japan, flowering bonsai, need to be displayed with only few flowers. It is considered bad taste to present a bonsai in full flowering.” (from a comment on facebook). Rules vs guidelines There are a host of misconceptions about bonsai. They often arise when we think there are fixed rules (there aren’t any in bonsai, except maybe in judged contests, and these are often fluid). There are however, plenty of useful guidelines. Pinching flowers One guideline that can be helpful, … Continue reading Laying An Old Misconception To Rest

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

Flowering Bonsai #3

I’m not sure what this is and I apologize for the somewhat blurry image. Beyond that, it’s another example of a flowering bonsai that is designed to show off its flowers rather than its bonsai chops. In fact, without its flowers, it’s quite conventional with its commercial spiral S shape and funky nebari. I got it from the April page on our 2010 bonsai calendar. Aha! A little better. This satsuki azalea holds its own as a bonsai, with or without flowers (though the power of the ‘with’ is hard to deny). I borrowed the image from Classic Bonsai of … Continue reading Flowering Bonsai #3

More Flowering Bonsai

An informal upright English hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) from the cover of Bonsai Today issue 36 (only two copies available). When it comes to flowering trees, Japanese bonsai artists (and many others) often look at how the design of the tree shows off the flowers, rather than looking for how the tree conforms to classical bonsai styles. In other words, this tree, without it showy display of flowers is nothing special. With its flowers though, it lights up and becomes a thing of great beauty. This flowering azalea would stand as an excellent bonsai even without its flowers. With it showy … Continue reading More Flowering Bonsai

Flowering Bonsai

This wildly colorful Satsuki Azalea is from a Flowering Bonsai Gallery in Bonsai Today issue 65. If you take a close look at the flowers, you’ll see that there are a number of different shades and patterns. Mother nature needed a little help from her friends to accomplish this kind of striking variation. For the best information on Satsuki Azaleas in print, check out Robert Callaham’s Satsuki Azaleas for Bonsai and Azalea Enthusiasts. Speaking of Bonsai Today We have finally decided to put up parts of our out-of-stock and now rare Bonsai Today collection of older long gone issues (except … Continue reading Flowering Bonsai

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