Necessary and Good

Not too many I try not to clutter Bonsai Bark with too many Stone Lantern promos, still, selling books, tools and the other stuff is how we make our living, and that’s necessary and good. For us, and for you (check out the discounts). Three more rare out-of-print old issues of Bonsai Today just went up on Stone Lantern. Including 17, the famous transplanting issue (we only have 3, so don’t wait).

Judge & Win!

This strangely dressed but somehow still noble gentleman will put his penetrating stare to work when he judges our $100 Bonsai Art Photography Contest (Sir Lyman Poore Duff, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada; from Wikipedia). Win a $40.00 gift certificate with a good eye and a little luck All you have to do is submit your entry and you’re in the contest. Here’s how it works: if you pick the three winners in exact order you’ll win a $40.00 gift certificate to Stone Lantern. In other words, if your first place choice wins first place, your … Continue reading Judge & Win!

Developing Ramification on Deciduous Bonsai

These illustrations represent a page from Bonsai Today issue 66 (in stock at Stone Lantern). It’s the first of a five page series on ramification (branching) that we are running over two posts. Ramification equals branch development Ramification literally means branch development, or how branches growing. However, when it comes to the art of bonsai (and especially deciduous bonsai) it has come to mean branch development that displays a couple key features: taper and fine branching. These features are critical when it comes to developing quality deciduous bonsai. Deciduous trees develop rapidly…. … but they also lose their shape rapidly. … Continue reading Developing Ramification on Deciduous Bonsai

Stone Lantern’s Spring Sale Is Rolling Along

The Magican is one of the over 275 discounted items in our Spring Sale. Its discounted price is $12.00 (retail is $29.95). With volume discounts it’s price can be as low as $9.60. Over 275 items are individually discounted With purchases of $50 or more, all 275 plus  items are doubly discounted. This makes for some very good prices.

A Wonderfully Eccentric Bunjin by Budi

We’ve featured bonsai by Budi Sulistyo before, and for good reason; his bonsai are innovative and daring. Budi isn’t afraid to try new ideas and break with convention. I’d say on balance, that this has served him very well. Budi’s tropical gallery book In addition to being an innovative bonsai artist, Budi is a photographer and the author of an excellent gallery book on tropical bonsai (now on special at Stone Lantern).

Photo Art Contest: Entry #5

Susan Richards submitted this entry to our $100 Bonsai Art Photo Contest. The photo was taken at 7-mile Lake in Colorado. It’s not too late for you to enter We’ll keep the contest going until we have at least ten entries, maybe many more if interest remains high. So don’t be lazy, send us your photo. It’s a good thing to share your inspiration. The prizes First prize is a $60 gift certificate to Stone Lantern. Second prize $30 gift certificate. Third prize $10 gift certificate. The rest of the details

Photo Art Contest: Entry #4

James Miles submitted this entry to our $100 Bonsai Art Photo Contest. It’s a juniper somewhere in the high Sierras. That’s granite that is appears to be growing on. How do they do that? The contest Here are the details. Don’t be shy, send us a photo. You might win a gift certificate to Stone Lantern. Speaking of Stone Lantern, our current deep sale ends tomorrow morning Even though we always seem to have sales, this one is particularly good, with a range of items double discounted. Check it out.

Photo Art Contest: Entry #3

There was no description with Christian Hansen’s entry. The photo does speak for itself; still, it would be good to know what and where (though it’s true that I didn’t say anything about sending descriptions). The contest Here are the details. Don’t be shy. Stone Lantern

Whoops! Beech Not Birch

My Mistake. In the original post for the photo contest I labeled this partial tree Southern birch. Should be Southern beech (or Mountain beech?). Here’s what Richard Warner (it’s his photo) said about it: “Don’t know if this is really art but the framing came out nice. A photo of a Mountain Beech on the Routburn Track near Millford Sound ‘Lord of the Rings’ Country in New Zealand. Branch looks a little like a Dragon. (Southern Beech not Birch as the photo title incorrectly says).” I imagine those are beeches covering the hillside also. Reminder This photo is the inspiration … Continue reading Whoops! Beech Not Birch

Coming Soon: Field Grown Bonsai Stock

One little man made hill that serves as landscaping and as a growing bed for future bonsai. Coming soon I’ve started digging some of my field grown stuff and putting them in plastic containers. Soon we’ll start photographing and putting some up for sale. Larches and some others More than half of what I’ve been growing are larches that have been collected here in northern Vermont. All have been pruned some. Some has been wired and a few have even been carved. Most are not bonsai pot ready, but all have good potential. Stone Lantern When they are ready, I’ll … Continue reading Coming Soon: Field Grown Bonsai Stock