Better Now? Revisiting Mario’s Famous Hornbeam

The latest incarnation of Mario Komsta’s extraordinary and now somewhat famous Hornbeam. Balance Is the balance better now (comparing the photo above with the earlier photo immediately below)? Does the elongated first branch (left) help to counter balance the slight rightward lean of the apex? The base of the trunk The base of the trunk appears stronger in the earlier photo below. Is it just the photo, or does the extended branching and the new pot diminish the power of the base? Ramification No matter what our thoughts about balance and the base of the trunk, the impeccable patience and … Continue reading Better Now? Revisiting Mario’s Famous Hornbeam

Fertilizing & Back Budding

Speaking of Mario Komsta (previous post), this instructive and somewhat self explanatory photo about a lesser known benefit of fertilizing, is something he cooked up. I don’t remember where I found it (facebook?), but I do know where you can find Mario. Fertilize! Skip ahead to the fourth point unless you are a beginner (or, either ignorant or lazy – or both)* Many, if not most people under fertilize their bonsai. I imagine it’s laziness on some people’s part and ignorance on others (they’re related). There’s nothing we can do about the laziness part, but, maybe we can help with … Continue reading Fertilizing & Back Budding

Super Mario

Hornbeam (Soro in Japanese) by Mario Komsta. Mario Komsta is his name Once upon a time, when I was the publisher/editor of Bonsai Today, we featured an article by a rising young European bonsai star (issue 102 – we also featured him in issue 105). His name was Mario Jano. Or so we thought. Turns out, we were wrong (for the whole story see Bonsai Today issue 104 page 53). His name was, and remains Mario Komsta, and judging by the photos here (there’s more on his site) he’s a bonsai star that has fully risen. Japanese winterberrry (Umemodoki). Another … Continue reading Super Mario