Defoliating Grandfather Bonsai

Here’s Juan Adrade’s English caption for this magnificent old Trident maple. “Partial defolation on one of the grandfather trees. Close to 100 yrs old.” Here’s his Spanish: “Defoliación de las ramas exteriores en uno de los tridentes del abuelo de mi maestro. Este arbol posiblemente se acerca a los 100 años.” You might notice the part about exterior branches in the Spanish. This would indicate that Juan is redirecting energy away from the outer tips and down closer to the center of the tree. This photo is from Juan’s facebook feed. Defoliation is an important technique for redirecting energy, maintaining … Continue reading Defoliating Grandfather Bonsai

Happy Root-Over-Rock Bonsai Holidays

Suthin’s “Happy Holidays to all” tree. It’s a Trident maple root-over-rock (root devouring rock). Staying close to home today, it’s our old friend Suthin Sukosolvisit offering some bonsai wizardry just in time for the New Year Bonsai Pot & Soil Specials End Tonight Friday, Dec 28th at 11:59pm EST Plus Two New Specials at Stone Lantern see below – Cropped for a closer look at how the trunk is slowly devouring the rock Suthin’s caption says simply… “New home” You might recognize this as the tree that won Best Bonsai at the 6th U.S. National. It’s a Japanese black pine Cropped for … Continue reading Happy Root-Over-Rock Bonsai Holidays

Happy Bonsai Solstice

I don’t know if this qualifies as a Christmas tree, but it does give you a pretty good idea of what northern Vermont looks like this time of year (this photo was taken several years ago… it rained last night and melted most of the snow* and the sky is grey… oh well). I hope you and your loved ones are enjoying a relaxing Holiday Season (easier said than done!) and that you have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah (a little late), Sweet Solstice (today) and whatever you might celebrate. And that you enjoy a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year – – If you’ve been … Continue reading Happy Bonsai Solstice

Eccentric or Just Twisted?

Doing the Twist. This tree belongs to Mauro Stemberger (Italian Bonsai Dream). Mauro has one of the most dramatic bonsai collections in the West, and though this one certainly qualifies, is there a line between dramatic and eccentric? Continuing with ‘Eccentric Bonsai’ from two days ago, here’s another one from our archives (November, 2016). Two of the trees in this post are naturally twisted and the other two were twisted by the hands of man. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble telling which is which. SITE WIDE SALE ENDS TOMORROW Everything Is At Least 20% off DOUBLE DISCOUNTS – SALE … Continue reading Eccentric or Just Twisted?

Eccentric Bonsai: Too Strange, or Just Strange Enough?

Strange as this old tree is, it all works together with a blend of eccentricity and balance (and remarkable ramification*). This photo and the others in this post are from Peter Tea Bonsai Way back in 2009 and early 2010 we ran a series of posts that we called Eccentric Bonsai. Maybe it’s time to resurrect the series. If so, this one-of-a-kind Trident maple seems like a good place to start. We originally posted this tree in December, 2011. It was borrowed from Peter Tea’s blog. Peter was an apprentice at Mr. Junichiro Tanaka’s Aichi-en bonsai nursery at the time. Peter takes good photos and writes of his experience … Continue reading Eccentric Bonsai: Too Strange, or Just Strange Enough?

A Green T Under Your Tree

It’s not too late to wake up to a Green T under your tree GREEN T turntables ARE NOW 20% OFF WITH OUR SITE WIDE SALE Everything Else Is Also 20% off Including items that are already discounted Orders placed by 2:00pm EST will be shipped the same business day discounts are computed at checkout Brilliant Trident maple and Green T Plus A Basic Green T with the handsome new green rim – HERE’S A RESOUNDING GREEN T ENDORSEMENT BY FOUR KIMURA APPRENTICES Four Kimura apprentices with bonsai and Green Ts Holm oak with sabamiki, Green T and tools STONE LANTERN’S 20% OFF SITE WIDE … Continue reading A Green T Under Your Tree

Bonsai Adventure & a Pot with a Story to Tell

A muscular old Camellia full of flowers and buds. This photo and the others in this post, were taken by Bill Valavanis during a recent visit to Shunka-en Bonsai Museum in Tokyo Shunka-en Bonsai Museum is the home, studio, gallery and growing area of Kunio Kobayashi. All the photos in this post were taken at Shunka-en a few weeks ago by the omnipresent Bill Valavanis (everywhere is the answer to the ‘Where’s in the Bonsai World is Bill‘ question) STONE LANTERN’S 20% OFF SITE WIDE SALE IS BACK! and we are shipping the same business day on orders received by 2:00pm EST see below More color. … Continue reading Bonsai Adventure & a Pot with a Story to Tell

Bonsai Essentials Site Wide Sale Is Back & Better Than Ever – Same Day Shipping*

STONE LANTERN’S 20% OFF SITE WIDE SALE multIple DISCOUNTS on hundreds of items SALE INCLUDES ITEMS THAT ARE ALREADY ON SPECIAL Discounts are computed at check out – *We Ship the Same Business Day on orders received by 2:00 pm EST If you want to make sure your order arrives on time you might want to choose accelerated shipping when you check out If you don’t care about arrival time, and your order is at least 75.00 you can choose Free Shipping for the Continental U.S. — All ROSHI BONSAI TOOLS ARE 20% OFF IN ADDITION TO OUR 20% OFF SITE WIDE SALE Discounts are … Continue reading Bonsai Essentials Site Wide Sale Is Back & Better Than Ever – Same Day Shipping*

Our National Bonsai Treasure

This Sargent juniper (Aka Shimpaku) resides at the U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. It was donated by Doug Paul, owner of the Kennett Collection. This photo and the others shown here, were taken and generously offered by Robert Vitale. The plant varieties and names of the donors are courtesy of Janice Vitale and Michael James We just featured a post about a great job opening at the U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, so let’s stay on theme The U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum is one of our true national treasures and a great place to visit next time you’re in or around DC. … Continue reading Our National Bonsai Treasure

One Year of Some Serious Bonsai Training

Here’s a once in a lifetime job opportunity if you’re looking for serious bonsai training while working with some of the best bonsai in the world and a crew of dedicated people. Sounds like a great way to spend a year… To apply: Please send a cover letter indicating availability, resume, references, and transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) via email to USNA.Internships@ars.usda.gov Questions? Contact the internship office at (202) 245-4563 or USNA.Internships@ars.usda.gov STONE LANTERN’S 20% off SITE WIDE SALE ends tonight All Items Are Discounted 20% … … including Our Famous Green T Hydraulic Turntables SPECIAL ENDS TONIGHT, WED, DEC 12th at 11:59pm … Continue reading One Year of Some Serious Bonsai Training