Tiny Pots, Tiny Trees…

This tiny Shimpaku juniper belongs to Yoshiyuki Kawada. Staying with our little trees theme, but moving from Haruyosi to another Japanese artist who also makes their own small pots and plants them with small trees (even smaller than Haruyosi’s). His name is Yoshiyuki Kawada, and though I’m just becoming familiar with his trees and pots, so far I’m impressed (this post originally appeared here in November, 2016 – with some changes today). NEW BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL 40% off list prices on all our Bonsai Aesthetics Tools see below Another little Shimpaku. This one has a powerful feel for such a small tree Tiny … Continue reading Tiny Pots, Tiny Trees…

Haruyosi’s Flowers

This little Japanese quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) looks old and yet is so small. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but there’s something about the brilliance and purity of quince flowers. Time to visit Haruyosi, one of our all time favorites, especially when it comes to very small bonsai. Some of these photos were just taken in the last few days and others are from years gone by NEW BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL 40% off list prices on all our Bonsai Aesthetics Tools see below – This photo was take two days ago (March 3rd). Here’s Haruyosi’s caption… “This cherry tree ‘Okame’ bloomed … Continue reading Haruyosi’s Flowers

Fat Trunks, Small Pots

Japanese maple, borrowed from Bill Valavanis’ blog. Bill took this photo at this year’s Kokufu (the World’s oldest and most prestigious bonsai exhibition) along with several dozen shots of other remarkable trees. But there’s something about this one that keep me coming back. Part is the way the massive trunk almost fills the pot, something you don’t see every day and almost never with Japanese maples. And there’s more, including the tree’s unusual movement and direction that might make you wonder what it would look like shot from other angles. With the exception of the tree above, all the bonsai shown here belong to Tomohiro Masumi. All, … Continue reading Fat Trunks, Small Pots

Just One Today, but It’s a Good One

Bonsai perfection. Luis Vallejo provides the following information with this tree… “Fortunella hindsii Kumquat, By Nobuichi Urushibata, Taishoen. Luis Vallejo Bonsai Garden, Photo Miguel Krause.” Taishoen is Nobuichi’s bonsai nursery in Japan. Luis Vallejo is an accomplished bonsai artist and the owner of Museo de Bonsai Acalanes in Spain. Fortunella hindsii Kumquat, is of course the type tree, with the Fortunalla hindsii being the smallest of the Kumquats. Just one tree today, but it’s a good one. I found it on Luis Vallejo’s timeline. If you’ve been following Bark for a while, or if you’re someone who appreciates European (particularly Spanish) bonsai, you’re no … Continue reading Just One Today, but It’s a Good One

Got Pieces of Broken Bonsai Pots Laying Around?

Got pieces of broken pots laying around? No problem. Robert Steven’s caption for this photo… “Dedication of the broken pots” Time to visit our old friend Robert Steven again. Robert has been on the cutting edge of Indonesian and world bonsai for a long time and judging by his recent endeavors, you might conclude that he intends to stay there. All the text in italics are direct quotes from Robert SPECIAL BONSAI AESTHETICS WIRE KILO ROLLS ONLY 15.95 500 GRAM ROLLS ONLY 8.95 100 GRAM ROLLS ONLY 3.45 – Roberts writes… “Front’ is simply a viewing angle where we want … Continue reading Got Pieces of Broken Bonsai Pots Laying Around?

Bonsai Pest Control & Special of the Day

I borrowed this photo from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus website. Here’s part of what Michael has to say about it and some other trees he worked on while in Japan… “The work here was done as an apprentice in Japan, from 2003-2006…. in the second half of my apprenticeship, I was allowed a more natural and relaxed feeling in the branching and foliage presentation, represented in this image which won Mr. Suzuki a Prime Minister’s award.” The tree is a Japanese white pine. Michael apprenticed with Mr Suzuki for three years. Here’s your link for the part I left out. Continuing with the bonsai wisdom … Continue reading Bonsai Pest Control & Special of the Day

Don’t Pinch You Juniper Bonsai!

Was this foliage pinched in order to achieve that dense, perfectly refined shape and texture? The answer, according to Michael Hagedorn is an emphatic NO! Except when it isn’t. The image is borrowed from our Masters’ Series Juniper Bonsai book. Thought you might enjoy another round of Micheal Hagedorn‘s bonsai wisdom. Most of this post was borrowed and updated from a 2012 Bark Bark Post titled, Pinch! Don’t Pinch!. We added some content and posted it again in 2015. Because it offers an important lesson for anyone who grows junipers, especially those of us who are in the habit in pinching to control growth, it’s worth another look. Continued … Continue reading Don’t Pinch You Juniper Bonsai!

Cold Weather Bonsai by a Consummate Bonsai Pro

This is the second time we’ve shown this photo. I can’t find where I first found it (and the one just below). It’s sad coming from someone who preaches attribution and identification. Yesterday’s snowy post prompted the following question from Henry L. Miller… “Given today’s post, please update us concerning leaving bonsai outside in 15-30 degree weather.” Seems like a simple enough question, but you’d be surprised how much is involved. So much in fact, that this is a good time to call in Michael Hagedorn, a consummate bonsai pro and heavy lifter. In Michael’s own words… Seasonal Care for Cold Weather… … Continue reading Cold Weather Bonsai by a Consummate Bonsai Pro

Snow Flowers

Snow flowers at the Luis Vallejo’s Museo De Bonsais Alcobendas. The tree looks like it could be a Stewartia. Yesterday we enjoyed a touch of false spring in Northern Vermont. But winter never gives up this early, so we’ll have to wait a couple more months for the real thing. Meanwhile, we can look forward to some more snow and ice. Which bring us to today’s post. The luminous snow covered images are all from Luis Vallejo’s Museo De Bonsais Alcobendas (Alcobendas is a suburb of Madrid). ROSHI HIGH QUALITY BONSAI TOOLS 30% OFF OUR LIST PRICES see below – SPECIAL BONSAI AESTHETICS … Continue reading Snow Flowers

Feed Your Bonsai for Health & Beauty

Lush summer foliage and impressive deadwood on an old Shimpaku juniper.The lush foliage is the result of timely feeding.* The photo is from our Masters Series Juniper book. I know the tree is from Japan, but don’t know who the artist or owner is. For some of you lucky ones, it’s already spring. For most of the rest of us, it’s time* to start enriching the soil with slow release fertilizers. This post is one of our archival favorites (July, 2015). Nothing has changed since then, except our lower fertilizer prices. Many, if not most people underfeed their bonsai. There are … Continue reading Feed Your Bonsai for Health & Beauty