A Bonsai Life

This prize winning Ficus neriifolia belongs to Ed Trout. I like its relaxed, almost sensuous look. Or if you’re not into anthropomorphizing bonsai, you might just notice its wide stable nebari and its stout well tapered trunk and leave it at that. All the photos in this post are from Bonsai Mary. In keeping with our tropical theme from yesterday and our mention of Mary Miller (Bonsai Mary) from the day before, I dug up this up from our archives (April, 2010, with some editing today) Mary Miller’s years of experience as a bonsai teacher, author and grower come together very nicely in her Bonsai … Continue reading A Bonsai Life

American Tropical Bonsai, Hurricane Andrew & One Penjing

Would you say that this prize winning Ficus neriifolia by Ed Trout looks relaxed and sensuous? Maybe, but it’s hard to deny its powerful trunk and nebari which lend stability to the tree’s natural uncontrived look. Monday morning and too much going on around here, so it’s time to dig into our archives once again. This one is from all the way back in April 2010. It was titled Tropical Bonsai with Mary Miller & Friends. I’ve enlarged and brightened the photos a bit, and done a little rewriting. All the photos were originally from Bonsai Mary. Mary Miller is … Continue reading American Tropical Bonsai, Hurricane Andrew & One Penjing

Tanuki Bonsai – Is It Cheating?

This colorful full bloom Bougainvillea bonsai has nothing to do with Tanuki (that’s below). It belongs to Rick Jeffery and the photo was taken at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. It came to us via Bonsai Mary’s newsletter. Just two seemingly unrelated bonsai photos today. The common thread is Bonsai Mary (Mary Miller). Mary lives in Florida and writes mostly (but not exclusively) about tropical bonsai on her excellent blog. Mary also offers an equally excellent newsletter which you can sign up for on her blog. This photo of Randy Clark’s Juniper is from an article on Bonsai … Continue reading Tanuki Bonsai – Is It Cheating?

A Simple Bonsai Wiring Lesson

Flying home today from the SF part of my Portland trip (Artisans Cup) and time is compressed, so I’ll borrow a little something from Mary Miller’s Bonsai Banter: “I was searching for Collin Lewis’ website. While browsing, I discovered Colin on Craftsy.com giving a video lesson. The ‘Bonsai Wiring Essentials’ is listed as free. I watched the entire program.” “Colin is a talented author and speaker, as well as bonsai artist. His easy going, clear instructions will answer all of your questions about wiring your bonsai. Best wire and tools? Copper or aluminum and the difference? How long to leave … Continue reading A Simple Bonsai Wiring Lesson

Bonsai Banter, Buttonwoods & Summer Dormancy

This dynamic Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus) is one of four trees from Florida that were selected for the upcoming Artisan’s Cup in Portland, Oregon (go! it’s going to be great). It belongs to Paul Pikel. Image courtesy of Mary Miller (Bonsai Mary of Bonsai Banter). Florida is more than a refuge for snowbirds and hormone bedeviled college kids; it’s also home to most of the best tropical and semi-tropical bonsai in North America, and of all the great bonsai varieties you’ll find in Florida, Buttonwood is king. Something else you’ll find in Florida (and some other north American hot spots) are … Continue reading Bonsai Banter, Buttonwoods & Summer Dormancy

With Buttonwood Bonsai, Nature Does the Real Work

This powerfully compact Buttonwood belongs to Nacho Marin, as do all four Buttonwood bonsai shown here. With Buttonwood bonsai it’s nature that does the real work. Humans find them, dig them, pot them and eliminate branches and other parts that distract from the natural beauty of the tree (ideally, at least). But nature does the twisting, turning and scouring by sand and wind that results in such unusual shapes and magnificent deadwood. I’m told* that much of this shaping and scouring happens during hurricanes and tropical storms. I’ve even heard that Buttonwoods are sometimes violently uprooted and blown to new … Continue reading With Buttonwood Bonsai, Nature Does the Real Work

American Tropical Jewel

Buttonwood by Ed Trout. The photo is from The Art of Bonsai Project. * I’m headed out for a brief Independence Day respite, so we’ll take the easy way out and plunder our archives once again. This one is from August 2011 (assuming we haven’t reposted it since then – there’s this issue with memory). I can think of two good reasons to choose it: 1. It’s tropical and it feels like the tropics lately here in northern Vermont where extended hot weather is rare indeed, and 2. Buttonwoods are an American tree and the most American of holidays is … Continue reading American Tropical Jewel

An Embarrassing Possibility, Wiring All the Way Out to the Tips, Bill’s Japan Bonsai Tours & The Moss Myth

Akamatsu (aka Japanese red pine). I’m usually loath to lead off with an unattributed tree, but just couldn’t resist this one. It turned up here. No word on who the artist is (this often seems to be the nature of the facebook beast), though I think I’ve seen it before (I wonder if we’ve already featured it on this blog; always a somewhat embarrassing possibility). Want to improve the quality of your bonsai? Try wiring all the way out to the tips of the smallest branches. You’ll be astounded by the results. Now in stock. Our largest shipment ever … Continue reading An Embarrassing Possibility, Wiring All the Way Out to the Tips, Bill’s Japan Bonsai Tours & The Moss Myth