Bonsai Before & After – Transforming a Badly Damaged Tree

Here’s what Harry Harrington has to say about this impressive tree, and in particular it’s recovery and transformation from what you see in the photo below… “This is probably the best example I have of the usefulness of anti-transpirant, an Itoigawa juniper bonsai that came to me in a very bad way a couple of years ago, and was sprayed with anti-transpirant once a month to reduce further moisture loss from the leaves while it recovered and grew new roots. (Second image is from just 6 months later after styling).” We’ve been featuring Harry Harrington a lot these days. Part … Continue reading Bonsai Before & After – Transforming a Badly Damaged Tree

Bonsai by Tickle

As you can see by the copyright, this muscular Myrtle belongs to Tony Tickle. So do the rest of the trees in this post (provided Tony hasn’t sold them) It’s been a while since we visited Tony Tickle, a man with a distinctive name and some very distinctive bonsai. All the photos shown here are from Tony’s Bonsai & Yamadori blog. If you want more, here’s your link to some earlier Bark posts that feature Tony’s bonsai The Growing Season Has Begun time to feed your bonsai 25% off All of our Bonsai Fertilizers sale ends Sunday at 11:59pm … Continue reading Bonsai by Tickle

Two Maple Bonsai Looking “Kind of Good Today”

There are numerous plants in this world with red or reddish leaves, but very few can rival the sheer brilliance of this Deshojo Japanese maple. And just in case your eyes are completely drawn in by the intensity of the leaves, it might be worth pointing out the brilliance of the pot as well. Both of these rather impressive Japanese maples were posted on facebook today by Bill Valavanis. Here’s what Bill wrote about them… “Two of my maple bonsai looked kind of good today so I thought I’d share their beauty with friends. Deshojo Japanese maple and Shishigashira Japanese … Continue reading Two Maple Bonsai Looking “Kind of Good Today”

Bonsai, It’s About the Soil – An Informed Approach

This Japanese maple belongs to Mariusz Folda. I don’t know if Mariusz also made the pot, but based on what I’ve seen of his ceramics, I wouldn’t be surprised. Yesterday’s post on Mariusz Folda’s Shimpaku serves as lead in for today’s comments by Mariusz on his soil mix, and more specifically on the uses and limitations of Akadama, the most famous and widely used imported Japanese soil. Here’s Mariusz’s quote on Akadama in its entirety… “I look after some bonsai that are very old, like a very old Fagus crenata (Japanese beech) or an old Carpinus koreana (Korean hornbeam). I … Continue reading Bonsai, It’s About the Soil – An Informed Approach

Two Powerful Bonsai for Your Enjoyment

Oaks are often full of character and this one is no exception. It’s a Holm oak that belongs to Raffaele Perilli. Though you can’t see it in this photo, it’s sitting on a Green T Hydraulic Lift Bonsai Turntable. I guess this post might qualify as an infomercial of sorts… but before you move on, you might take a moment to appreciate three things… First, two powerful bonsai for your enjoyment Second, our NEW Tool and Wire Sales Third, our amazing Green T Professional Hydraulic Turntable. Continued below… 2 Brand NEW Sales 2 Continuing Sales… …one with increase discounts NEW … Continue reading Two Powerful Bonsai for Your Enjoyment

Expertly Rendered & Beautiful

This drawing is by Michele Andolfo, as are the others in this post. We just gave you three straight brand new posts. Now I need to catch my breath and catch up with some new products (including several new Roshi bonsai tools) and as always, continue the heroic quest to subjugate the horrible email beast (100 plus emails a day can wear on you). Long story short, this post is from our archives. October, 2015. All the drawings shown here are from a program Michele Andolfo led in Quebec this year (last year). You can view more of these expertly … Continue reading Expertly Rendered & Beautiful

A Great Time to Upgrade Your Bonsai Tools

A small sampling of our large selection of Koyo Japanese Bonsai Tools all now 25% off as are all of our Bonsai Tools don’t lose this chance sale ends tonight at 11:59pm EDT 25% off our vast selection of Bonsai Tools ends tonight this a great chance to upgrade your tool collection but if you wait, this opportunity will slip away sale ends tonight, August 5th at 11:59pm EDT Plus FREE Shipping on U.S. orders 49.00 or more and reduced shipping on all other orders tool sale includes some items you might not expect turntables, watering cans, sharpening stones & … Continue reading A Great Time to Upgrade Your Bonsai Tools

Masters Series Pine Bonsai Book Is Back

One of dozens of world class trees featured in our Bonsai Today Masters Series Pine book. It’s back! To reward those of you who have been waiting so patiently, we’re going to offer it at a discount…. only 26.95 (list is 34.95). Order yours while the price is right. If you need some encouragement take a look below… Candle pinching. An essential needle reduction and energy balancing technique for almost any type of pine. Elegance. Bunjin Japanese white pine. If you’d like to grow some black pines from seed, here’s a few steps from the only source you’ll ever need. … Continue reading Masters Series Pine Bonsai Book Is Back

Twisting versus Bending Shari (Something You Don’t See Everyday)

Robert Steven’s simulation of a Juniper that was submitted by Joe Graviss (the original photo is below). Robert Steven’s critiques have been an anchor here on Bonsai Bark for almost six years. His first of approximately forty critiques (so far) appeared in 2010 (Bark dates to 2009). Each critique is a lesson in bonsai styling and taken together they constitute an extensive course in Robert’s bonsai tradition (if you asked me about Robert’s tradition I’d say his primary expertise lies in Penjing and tropical bonsai, but extends well into other areas of bonsai… though I’m not sure that’s how he … Continue reading Twisting versus Bending Shari (Something You Don’t See Everyday)

Gifts for Bonsai Lovers part 2

Masters Sword Shears. This incomparable tool with its long powerful blades and fluid cutting capabilities is one of the reasons that Japanese professionals get so much work done. You can use yours for routine spring and summer trimming, especially if you have lots of larger bonsai and not so much time. You can also use them in the garden for any number of tasks. I use mine more than any other tool on my field grown bonsai. Made in Japan by Koyo quality tools. List price 145.00. Our special price 119.00. You save 26.00 (actually you save 31.95 when you … Continue reading Gifts for Bonsai Lovers part 2