A Perfect Example of Great Bonsai Ramification

This magnificent Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) received the coveted Kokufu prize at the 88th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition (the oldest and most prestigious bonsai exhibition in the world). Aside from its unique power and beauty, this tree provides a perfect example of what great ramification looks like (made even more obvious by the bright rusty-red leaf buds). The photo is from the World Bonsai Friendship Federation. Identification and other details were provided by Bill Valavanis. Yesterday we discussed ramification so we’ll keep going with this post that we last featured in January, 2015. 30% to 50% off Book Special Ends Soon see below – This … Continue reading A Perfect Example of Great Bonsai Ramification

Deciduous Bonsai & Fine Ramification

Please excuse the fuzz. I lifted this image from youtube and the fuzz came along on its own (there are some still shots below without much fuzz). It’s a Field Elm (Ulmus minor) that belongs to Davide Cardin. The youtube video was shot at the 2016 Bonsai San Show in France. You can learn a lot about deciduous bonsai in the winter. Particularly ramification (see below). Deeply Discounted Bonsai Wire KILO ROLLS 17.95 ONLY 15.95 EACH FOR 3 OR MORE 500 GRAM ROLLS 9.95 ONLY 8.95 EACH FOR 3 OR MORE 100 GRAM ROLLS ONLY 3.95 – Same tree, different pot in this shot from Bonsai … Continue reading Deciduous Bonsai & Fine Ramification

How Not to Water Your Bonsai – This Just Might Be the Most Important Watering Advice You’ll Ever Read

This illustration by Kyosuke Gun is from our Masters’ Series Juniper book. It is a perfect fit for this post that is borrowed from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai. Speaking of Bonsai Books, this morning we started a 30% to 50% off Sale on all of our books (see below) We originally featured this post in June, 2009. It’s one of our earliest and perhaps one of our most important. I don’t think we’ve featured it since 2009, clearly an oversight on our part. Especially considering the importance of the topic and our source. Michael Hagedorn knows more about the inner workings of bonsai and … Continue reading How Not to Water Your Bonsai – This Just Might Be the Most Important Watering Advice You’ll Ever Read

Majestic Bonsai Vista

You don’t see that many bonsai photos with such majestic vistas in the background. I don’t know where the shot was taken, nor do I know the variety of the tree but I do know that the photo and the tree are from Yoshio Nihei. Continuing from yesterday with bonsai we found on Magdalena Chiavazza’s timeline (we had trouble with the link yesterday, so I hope this one takes). Magdalena doesn’t offer the varieties (except for the Satsuki azalea below) but she is meticulous about the all-important attribution SITE WIDE SALE SEE BELOW Seduction. Again we don’t know the variety but we do know … Continue reading Majestic Bonsai Vista

Bonsai Pirates – If you are reading this on any website or blog that is not ours, and is not attributed to us, then it has been pirated

This wild Mugo pine has nothing to do with our bonsai pirates theme, though it may raise some eyebrows given its break with traditional bonsai styles, particularly traditional Japanese bonsai styles. It was posted by Sandro Segneri of the Bonsai Creativo School and Academy. To reiterate, it has nothing to do with our bonsai pirates theme. Yesterday it was digital bonsai theft, today it’s piracy. Two ways of talking about the same thing, or has the severity of the crime graduated from misdemeanor to felony (figuratively and maybe literally)? The following was originally written in February, 2010 and reposted in 2015 (with some changes then and now)… At least one blog … Continue reading Bonsai Pirates – If you are reading this on any website or blog that is not ours, and is not attributed to us, then it has been pirated

Digital Bonsai Theft & Other Crimes & Misdemeanors

Did that huge apple really grown on this small tree? Occasionally you see fruit that is glued on, but in this case I think it’s the real deal. There’s something a little shady about putting your logo on photos that don’t belong to you, though in a world with more than enough serious corruption, this practice barely registers. Continued below… NEW 20% to 70% off Site Wide Sale see below – I’ve seen this tree before, but can’t remember where, or what it is. It’s even possible that it has appeared here on Bark. Continued from above… I can’t read the text … Continue reading Digital Bonsai Theft & Other Crimes & Misdemeanors

20% to 70% off Everything Bonsai*

Look familiar? It’s from the cover of our Masters Series Pine book – Early Spring Site Wide Sale 20% to 70% off list priceS on ALMOST everything* *Green T Turntables & 3 books are excluded due to contractual obligations plus FREE Shipping on Continental U.S. orders 75.00 or more Roshi Bonsai Tools quality materials and craftsmanship make for precision, durability and beauty at exceptionally reasonable prices now even more reasonable In addition to our Roshi Tools we offer a large selection of other famous brand tools This one is from the cover of our Masters Series Juniper book – – Bonsai Aesthetics Wire is known for ease … Continue reading 20% to 70% off Everything Bonsai*

Beauty Doesn’t Always Conform to Our Expectations

Before and after. This impressive and very unusual European olive (Olea europaea L. var. sylvestris) was styled by Javi Campos Juan. Continuing with Javi Campos Juan (see two posts from earlier this week)… You don’t often see Olives styled like this one; more like a conifer than an Olive. Regarding this, there is a good argument for styling in the way the type tree naturally grows. Trees that don’t follow this standard often look unnatural. Still, there’s a lot to like about this one and beauty doesn’t always conform to our expectations. New Site Wide Sale 20% to 70% OFF LIST ON ALMOST EVERYTHING* see … Continue reading Beauty Doesn’t Always Conform to Our Expectations

Time to Make Your Plans for a Celebration of American Bonsai

This Colorado blue spruce won the All American Award (Finest American Species in an American Container, Displayed on an American Table) at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It belongs to Jason Eider. Just a friendly reminder… It’s time to make your plans. The 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition is the premier North American celebration of bonsai. The one event you don’t want to miss and it’s less than six months away. We’ll see you there! If you would like to submit any bonsai, the deadline for entries is June 1, 2018 (or until the exhibition is filled). If you’re like most people and just … Continue reading Time to Make Your Plans for a Celebration of American Bonsai

What Was Missing?

Javi Campos Juan’s caption reads Tenía falta? The translation is “Was it missing?” That didn’t seem quite right so I checked with Free Translation, which came up with “What was missing?” Anyway, sweet tree (no variety given) and well chosen pot. I’ve been follow Javi Campos Juan for a long time, but have only featured his bonsai twice and the last time was over a year ago, so we’re overdue. The images and captions are from Javi’s facebook timeline. NEW SPECIAL Koyo Japanese Bonsai Tools 30% off list prices – Before. Time to rootprune and repot. BTW, those are exceptionally vigorous looking … Continue reading What Was Missing?