A Steady Stream…

Premna serratifolia by Robert Steven. Aside from the immediate impact of the old wood with all the trunks popping up everywhere, there’s the counter-balance provided by the sturdy little trunk on the far left and the way the two tiny trunks at the base provide subtle accents. And then there’s that teetering trunk on that tiny tip that sticks out on the far right at the very end of the planting (six years of government-funded college down the drain on two mangled sentences). The beat goes on. If you take the time to go back through our 700-plus previous posts, … Continue reading A Steady Stream…

Restyling a Mugo, Offing a Shari, Bonsai Tourists, More Bonsai Rafting & Some Excellent Events

This old beauty is one of hundreds of quality bonsai that was featured at the 2nd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It’s a Nikko Satsuki Azalea that belongs to The Kennett Collection. It originally belonged to Kunio Kobayashi who started it by planting smaller trees next to each other. The 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition takes place June 9th and 10th in Rochester NY. It’s not too late to sign up. Now half price. Order this collector’s set from the first two U.S. National Bonsai Exhibitions and save 50% It’s not a bonsai, but it is a sweet photo. … Continue reading Restyling a Mugo, Offing a Shari, Bonsai Tourists, More Bonsai Rafting & Some Excellent Events

Exploring Bonsai Subtleties Courtesy of Robert Steven

Robert’s simulation of a submission by Nyoman Agus (the original is below). Getting down to the finer points So much of what you see and read in bonsai books and elsewhere, just repeats the same old basic principles. Even some of the most experienced teachers seem to fall into this trap. It’s easy to understand, given that bonsai is still fairly young in much of the world and so many of us are still trying to learn those basic principles. But still, it’s a breath of fresh air when someone digs into subtleties that most of us would never think … Continue reading Exploring Bonsai Subtleties Courtesy of Robert Steven

What About Deciduous Bonsai?

You can find this magnificent elm and other seriously stupendous deciduous bonsai at Andy Rutledge’s The Bonsai Journal in an article by Andy with photos by Boon Manakitivipart. In a bonsai world dominated by conifers and tropicals… …it’s a good idea to remember the wonder of deciduous bonsai. Okay, this may be an overstatement, but still, how many top notch elm bonsai do you see on the internet? Warehouse vacation Our warehouse is on vacation until July 12th (it needs a break, not to mention a new paint job). Orders placed before then will be shipped on, or soon after, … Continue reading What About Deciduous Bonsai?

Bonsai Rafting

Crataegus raft by John Pit. Wow. What a unique and compelling bonsai. A true sinuous raft style planting. You don’t see too many of these and I’ve never seen one quite like this. Great pot too. John Pitt is a well known English potter, so I imagine he made the pot as well as the planting. This drawing is from an article on raft style bonsai on Bonsai Culture Group Malta. I just discovered this site, and haven’t had time to explore it, but on the surface, it looks quite good with a wealth of bonsai information. Stone Lantern’s new … Continue reading Bonsai Rafting

Rafting in a Bonsai Pot (or a Box)

This very well rendered drawing by Peter Adams is from his book ‘Bonsai with Japanese Maples.’ It appears in a section called ‘Creating Raft Trees’ and on the back cover of the book. Whether or not this drawing comes from a tree in Peter’s collection or is just from his imagination, we can’t say. But one thing we do know; a pot that big (I imagine it to be at least 40 inches) will most likely set you back several hundred dollars. Rafting in Peter’s own words The raft method… is formed by laying a tree on its side and … Continue reading Rafting in a Bonsai Pot (or a Box)