Back Savers – Suthin’s Shohin

Bonsai in hand. This little masterpice by Suthin Sukosolvisit looks like a Chinzan Azalea. But that’s just a guess. Suthin doesn’t say. Still recovering from vacation and a serious computer meltdown (fixed now by there’s chaos in its wake), so it’s back to our archives. This one originally appeared in August, 2009 (Bonsai Bark’s Pleistocene). Note: non of the links are still active, so this will be a linkless post. A first for us I’ve long been a fan of Suthin Sukosolvisit’s. Not just because of his shohin, but because he shows mastery across a range of bonsai sizes and styles. Still, shohin … Continue reading Back Savers – Suthin’s Shohin

Bonsai Perfection – Time to Dream

Just in case you think your monster bonsai is too big for a Green T Hydraulic Lift Turntable… The following is the caption for this photo (from G T’s site)… “Matsuda san is the new entry in the Masahiko Kimura Bonsai family and her page Kimura’s home Bonsai has already gained world recognition.” And of course Green T is an important part of Kimura’s workshop (see below). BTW, the tree looks like a Japanese five needle pine (Pinus parviflora) Flying cross country today, so we’ve got a rerun for you. It’s a bit of an infomercial, but we think it’s a … Continue reading Bonsai Perfection – Time to Dream

Bonsai Art & the Art of Bonsai

The day has barely started and I’m already running out of superlatives. I guess spectacular will do in this case. It’s a Korean hornbeam (Carpinus turczaninowii) that belongs to Ian Stewartson. The photo is from Bonsai Art’s website. Delving into our archives, while sticking with our German theme (see yesterday). This one originally appeared March 2013. Bonsai Art magazine is very well named. As bonsai magazines go, it’s as beautiful and professional as they come. The problem, for most of us at least, is that it’s in German. But really, the photos and overall presentation are so good that maybe the … Continue reading Bonsai Art & the Art of Bonsai

A Bonsai First

I took the liberty of cropping this photo to better appreciate its strikingly powerful and expressive trunk. The tree is a Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) that belongs to Heinrich Hacker. The original photo is below. Today’s photos are all from Bonsai-Club Deutschland. If memory serves (a 50-50 proposition at best) it’s a first for us. Anyway, I’m very impressed and imagine that you too will be impressed NEW SPECIAL 25% off list prices on Koyo Bonsai Tools see below – The whole tree in all its splendor. In addition to its aforementioned trunk you might notice how dense the canopy is. BTW, its size is … Continue reading A Bonsai First

Satsuki Flowers, Maple Leaves, a Tiny Lizard & Other Bonsai Wonders

It’s that time of year. Here’s David Benavente’s caption… Rhododendron indicum “Shin Nikko” hoy, en plena floración (today in full bloom). 45x55cm (18″ x 21.5″) It’s been a while since we’ve featured David Benavente and his Estudio de Bonsái. It’s in Galapagar, Spain. Just outside of Madrid. The photos are from David’s timeline BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL ENDS TONIGHT see below – It’s not only about the flowers. Close up of the lower trunk and nebari European olive (Olea europaea). No caption with this one, but it speaks for itself Closeup Lizard on a European olive. Is this the same tree? … Continue reading Satsuki Flowers, Maple Leaves, a Tiny Lizard & Other Bonsai Wonders

Unique Tropical Bonsai – Tool Special Ends Soon

This tropical Dwarf black olive (Bucida spinosa, not a true Olive or Olea) with its melted wax feel and gaping trunk is a 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 4 & 5). TOOL SPECIAL ENDS TOMORROW NIGHT see below – If the pot was better suited to the tree (or a least cleaned up) and the background was better, the rugged power and reach of this tree would easier to appreciate. Still, if you’re looking for unique bonsai, this … Continue reading Unique Tropical Bonsai – Tool Special Ends Soon

Black Hills Bonsai – What You Do to the Land, You Do to Yourself

Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) collected by Andrew (aka Andy) Smith and first styled by Walter Pall. It would hard to find a better pair for the job. Andy (Golden Arrow Bonsai) is a professional forester, master collector of wild bonsai and a bonsai artist in his own right, and Walter Pall is a world famous bonsai artist, teacher, entertainer and owner of a very impressive bonsai collection. The photograph is by Walter. My apologies for the fuzz. It’s the result of dramatically increasing the image size (on balance I think this size presents a better look at the tree … Continue reading Black Hills Bonsai – What You Do to the Land, You Do to Yourself

Bonsai Serpent & Two Buttonwoods

The serpent is hiding in plain sight. This magnificent tree belongs to Enrique Castaño, who has this to say about it: “This (Terminalia ucarillo) got the name Kukulcan from the Mayan mythology, Kukulcan was one of the serpents with feathers, kind of like a dragon.” The more I look at this tree, the more I notice – in addition to its sheer power – how well it flows from the well chosen pot and the nicely tapered trunk to the relaxed (there’s that word again – see yesterday) well balanced foliage with all the elements tying together so nicely. Might … Continue reading Bonsai Serpent & Two Buttonwoods

South of the Bonsai Border

Can something be both dynamic and relaxed? Or does it even make sense to talk about a bonsai as relaxed? In any case, this unique beauty makes its home at the Museo Tatsugoro – Estudio De Bonsai Miguel Ros, Fortin, Veracruz, Mexico. In case you’re wondering, what happened to the top of the photo, the answer is just below. For many more great photos where this came from, here’s you link I’ve long been fascinated with Mexico and have been visiting somewhat regularly since college years. But I’ve never been to Veracruz. Guess it’s time to put it on the agenda. Siempre … Continue reading South of the Bonsai Border

Magnificent Monster

In addition to its brilliant color, this powerful Trident maple has almost everything you’d want in a bonsai, including a massive trunk, fluid natural looking nebari, good lines, a well-matched pot and healthy green moss. The artist is German Gomez. Continuing with our Maple theme… Leaving for vacation in two days and still have a million things to do, so to save some time we’ll go back in time. The photos shown here first appeared on Bark way back in 2010. OKATSUNE TOOL SPECIAL ENDS TOMORROW NIGHT 25% OFF LIST PRICES ON ALL OF OUR OKATSUNE JAPANESE BONSAI & GARDEN TOOLS Special … Continue reading Magnificent Monster