Maintenance Before & After Bonsai

This muscular little tree is a good example of a maintenance before and after. The artist (or artists) that wired and trimmed it perform their magic at Bonsái Pavía. You might remember them from just the other day. The tree looks a lot like a Taxus Yesterday we posted a from scratch before and after. Today it’s a maintenance before and after that we found at Bonsái Pavía. This is when a bonsai that has become overgrown is brought back to presentable (this is a little oversimplified, but you get the drift). Every quality bonsai that has been around for a while, has experienced this type maintenance. In many cases dozens of times. Continued … Continue reading Maintenance Before & After Bonsai

Bonsai from Scratch – Before & After

I think this qualifies as ‘from scratch.’No small amounts of skill and imagination were required to get from what you see on the left to what you see on the right. You’ve got the good makings of a trunk and a lot of potential leaders and branches to choose from, but beyond that it’s pretty rough. The artist is Paolo Salemi. Here’s his caption… “Thuja, before and after 5 years. I start working on this tree in the 2012, work in progress…” Time to pick up our recurrent before and after series. Several things struck me about this one… first, it’s a ‘true’ … Continue reading Bonsai from Scratch – Before & After

Shopping for Bonsai in Japan

I’ve always had a soft spot for three fingered Shohin bonsai (bonsai that are easily held with three fingers). Particularly ones from Japan, where most of the good ones seem to show up… at least in photos. This one looks like a Shimpaku juniper. It’s from Bonsái Pavía, as are all the photos in this post. Today must be my lucky day. Not only did I discover a new bonsai company (new to us at least), I also discover a never before used theme for Bonsai Bark… shopping for bonsai in Japan. The new company is Bonsái Pavía in Madrid, Spain. They’re the ones doing … Continue reading Shopping for Bonsai in Japan

More North American Bonsai Excellence

Winner of the Creative Award at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. The tree is a Dwarf Japanese garden juniper (Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’) and the artist is Creighton Bostrom. The photo is by Joe Noga, as are all the photos in the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Album To continue where we left off yesterday… we just got our new 2017 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Album and it’s the best yet. We’ll show two more photos here and leave the rest up to you Time to Stock Up on Bonsai Wire 1 Kilo (2.2 lb) Bonsai Wire now … Continue reading More North American Bonsai Excellence

A Juniper, Two Pines & an Unusual Flowering Tree

This stately (and sturdy) Shimpaku belongs to Suthin Sukosolvisit. Looks like the lime sulfur is fairly fresh and the bark was recently brushed, so I’m going to guess Suthin was preparing for a show when this picture was taken. He still has to dress up the soil surface and oil the pot, though I’d bet these were next on his list. It’s our old friend Suthin today. I’d feel remiss if we didn’t feature his trees every few weeks. There’s no particular theme to this collection (a juniper, two pines and an uncommon flowering tree). Except maybe that they are … Continue reading A Juniper, Two Pines & an Unusual Flowering Tree

More Prolific Bonsai Brilliance

Always nice to lead with a little color. This cheerful full fall color Trident maple belonged to Suthin Sukosolvisit when we first showed it way back in 2009. I don’t know who the lucky owner is now. Continuing with yesterday’s fully fledged admiration of Suthin and his bonsai, here are a few choice trees dug out from our archives. Continued below… A great sale ends tonight Bonsai Aesthetics Wire Sale 25% to 30% off 500 gram Bonsai Aesthetics Wire 25% off 2-5 rolls (10.12 each) 30% off 6 or more (9.45 each) this sale ends tonight, Sunday at 11:59pm EST … Continue reading More Prolific Bonsai Brilliance

Suthin’s Small, Strong & Sweet Japanese Pines

This sweet luminous little Japanese white pine belongs to Suthin. A total winner, right down to the perfectly pitched pot and the vivid yellow-green moss. Even given the fresh scar where a branch was just removed, it’s still simply superb (must be alliteration day today). Another reminder of Suthin’s bonsai vision and skills. I don’t usually pour it on quite so thick, but there’s something about Suthin* and his prolific bonsai brilliance, that brings out my adolescent star struck nature. And I’m not the only one. Go to any show where Suthin is vending and watch the bonsai devotees gather … Continue reading Suthin’s Small, Strong & Sweet Japanese Pines

Reviving a Powerful Old Shimpaku Bonsai

After. A dynamic & powerful Shimpaku juniper that belongs to our friend Suthin Sukosolvisit, one of a handful of the most highly talented and accomplished North American bonsai artists. This is our third straight before and after. All three started with superior but neglected junipers and ended with masterful bonsai. And all three were revived and upgraded by highly accomplished and well known bonsai artists; Naoki Maeoka for the previous two and Suthin Sukosolvisit today. Continued below… NEW Sales 20% of Yoshiaki Tools, Turntables, Sieves & Wire plus an extra 10% off orders 100.00+ Before. Great skill is required to … Continue reading Reviving a Powerful Old Shimpaku Bonsai

A Dynamic Masterpiece by a Great Bonsai Artist

Finest Japanese Bonsai display. Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) by Suthin Sukolosovisit. I’m not sure what makes this rugged rock root-on-rock planting a Japanese Bonsai display. I am sure however, that it is a magnificent bonsai by one of our greatest bonsai artists. But then, those of us who have been paying attention, have come to expect masterpieces like this from Suthin.* I borrowed this photo from Oscar at Bonsai Empire.** Today I’d like to show you the winner of the prize for the Finest Japanese Bonsai display at the just completed 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It belongs to … Continue reading A Dynamic Masterpiece by a Great Bonsai Artist

Four Big Sales End Tonight – Tomorrow It’s off to the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition

This tropical Dwarf black olive (Bucida spinosa) with its melted wax feel and gaping trunk is a truly unique tree that only Mother Nature (and Mary Madison’s skilled hands) could create. It’s from the 2008, 1st U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition album (out of print, but we still have 3 & 4). The 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, a colossal event in our world is this weekend. Later today I’ll pack my bags and tomorrow I’ll point my car west to Rochester. I hope to see you there. Continued below… Big Bonsai Wire & Tool Sales end tonight at 11:59pm EDT … Continue reading Four Big Sales End Tonight – Tomorrow It’s off to the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition