The National Bonsai Museum, The Kaikou School of Bonsai & Other East Coast Bonsai Wonders

Foemina juniper planting that has that not-so-easy-to-accomplish ability to transport you to a natural mountain scene somewhere. The photo was taken at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum by Mike Wigginton. I recently had the good fortune to stumble upon Mike’s Bonsai Page, a blog by Mike Wigginton that’s well worth a visit, especially if you are interested in bonsai happenings in eastern North America. There’s more too, but Mike’s enthusiasm for traveling the East Coast (especially to New England Bonsai where he is student at The Kaikou School of Bonsai) and his personal touch in communicating his discoveries makes … Continue reading The National Bonsai Museum, The Kaikou School of Bonsai & Other East Coast Bonsai Wonders

It’s Free!

Maybe someone can help identify the owner of this most excellent swirling cascade juniper. It’s from the Noelander’s Trophy, 2013. You can see more photos from the show on Crataegus bonsai (and various other places). Speaking of the Noelanders’ Trophy, Marc Noelanders will be one of the featured artists at Brussel’s Rendezvous (see below). Why isn’t your event featured here? In March Bonsai Bark was visited 56,000 times (19,000 of those were unique). This being the case, Bark is probably a pretty good place to advertise your upcoming bonsai event. Especially considering it’s free. The best way to do this … Continue reading It’s Free!

Bunjin! For Love of Bonsai, A Little Counter Point, Yankee Bonsai Artists & What Is It About the Eel River?

Remember this? A little counter point to the searing heat many of us have been experiencing. Photo is from Rosemarie Voelker’s facebook photos. The caption reads: Vincente Rodriguez Lopez, Spain February 2012 snow. FREE Green Dream bonsai fertilizer while our warehouse is closed for vacation. Our warehouse will be closed for six more days. Orders received this week will be shipped on a first-come, first-served basis starting next Monday the 20th. As a reward for your patience, all orders received by noon Sunday (U.S. Eastern Daylight Time) the 19th will receive one FREE 8oz bag of Green Dream bonsai … Continue reading Bunjin! For Love of Bonsai, A Little Counter Point, Yankee Bonsai Artists & What Is It About the Eel River?

Weekly Wire: Bonsai Surperstar, FREE Fertilizer, Making Uro, Spring!

Goyo-matsu (Japanese white pine) from the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. FREE FERTILIZER! We are giving away our favorite fertilizer over on Stone Lantern. Just for the fun of it (and to encourage you to place an order and to feed your bonsai!) Happy white Easter from Walter Pall. This morning Walter posted a whole bunch of photos a lot like this. There’s even some scary photos that shows fully and partially leafed out maples covered with snow. Here’s the good news from Walter: “While I am posting these photographs it has stopped snowing and even the sun is … Continue reading Weekly Wire: Bonsai Surperstar, FREE Fertilizer, Making Uro, Spring!

Weekly Wire: Iron Men of Naka, Bonsai with Rebar & Sleepless Nights

Sinuous and dynamic. Though this little gem doesn’t exactly look like most trees you find in nature, still its sinuous twists and turns make for a very dynamic little bonsai. It’s from a facebook album by Jordi Ugena. Our favorite bonsai apprentice Peter Tea is at it again. This time with rebar. Don’t miss it! The new U.S. Bonsai Stamps will be offered at the 3rd U.S. Bonsai Exhibition along with perhaps the best bonsai collection ever seen in North America. Don’t miss it. The dates are June 9-10. It’s in Rochester NY. We’ll be there offering rare … Continue reading Weekly Wire: Iron Men of Naka, Bonsai with Rebar & Sleepless Nights

Stolen Bonsai

This Shimpaku juniper was stolen recently from New England Bonsai. Bonsai theft There’s a long list of businesses and individuals who have had prize bonsai stolen. The other day it was New England Bonsai Gardens in Bellingham Mass. Fortunately, they have photos of all four of their missing trees and a local TV station featured them on a news program. Unfortunately, the chances of survival of stolen bonsai is low. Unless they are recovered soon, odds are whoever ends up with them won’t be able to keep them healthy. Years ago a friend (and customer of New England Bonsai) had … Continue reading Stolen Bonsai

Happy People, Healthy Bonsai

Happy people make for healthy bonsai (not to mention a healthy business). BTW: there are some household bonsai names above. Can you spot them? Breaking with our tradition Bonsai Bark is all about bonsai. We usually (almost always) leave the people photos to others. But just this once, we’re breaking our own rules by mixing in photos of people enjoying bonsai and just enjoying themselves. New England Bonsai Gardens All the photos in this post are from New England Bonsai. If you’re ever in their neighborhood (on the Mass/RI border, an hour from Boston), definitely stop by. They’ll be happy … Continue reading Happy People, Healthy Bonsai

Wiring Tips: Take It All Off (but not too early)

White pine bunjin wired at Taisho en. From ‘The Art of Bonsai.’ Take it all off (but not too early) The following article by John Romano takes on a bit of conventional wisdom about wire scarring. The article originally appeared on the New England Bonsai blog, ‘The Art of Bonsai.’ In John’s own words… “Wiring is an essential technique to create beautiful bonsai. It is not the only means (as some practice the Lignan method of cut and grow) but it is the most efficient way to shape a tree; to open up foliage to let light in; to move … Continue reading Wiring Tips: Take It All Off (but not too early)

Be a Fearless Bonsai Warrior

This American larch (Larix laricina) was sent to us by John Romano. It was selected as 1 of 100 in JAL World Bonsai Photo contest 2004. It was purchased as raw collected stock from American larch hero Nick Lenz. John Romano has been devoted to teaching bonsai for the past ten years and has developed Kaikou School of Bonsai (a two year program at at New England Bonsai). Kaikou is a somewhat archaic Japanese term that means ‘unexpected encounter’ or ‘crossing paths’. Your turn Our Fearless Bonsai Warrior program is about you and your bonsai. In other words, I want … Continue reading Be a Fearless Bonsai Warrior