One of the Most Unique Pines in Our Ten Years of Blogging

This Kuromatsu, aka Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii) was featured at the 27th Japan Bonsai Writer Association exhibition (Nippon Bonsai Sakka Kyokai exhibition), where this photo was taken. I cropped the original photo (see just below) for a closer look at just the tree I found this magnificent tree on The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum‘s timeline. This famous museum is home to some of the best bonsai in the world and this Japanese black pine is certainly no exception. To my eye it is one of the most unique pines we’ve featured in our ten years of blogging (well, nine years and 10 months). It’s so … Continue reading One of the Most Unique Pines in Our Ten Years of Blogging

The Emperor’s Bonsai

At least two things set this Root-over-rock Trident maple (Kaede Ishitsuki – maple planted on a rock) apart from thousands of other root-over Trident maples on this planet. First there it’s exceptional quality, and second, it’s part of Japan’s Imperial Bonsai Collection. The tree’s age is about 90 years. Its height is 57 cm (22.5″). Here’s a quote from the Imperial website… “Among ‘zoki’ deciduous trees, ‘momiji’ (Japanese maple) and “kaede” (maple) (I’m not sure why this isn’t translated as Trident maple) are particular favorites of bonsai lovers because of the way they show off the four seasons. Aficionados appreciate the young buds in … Continue reading The Emperor’s Bonsai

New Site Wide Sale for Your Bonsai Essentials

STONE LANTERN SITE WIDE SALE 10% OFF ORDERS 10.00 – 49.99 15% OFF ORDERS 50.00 – 99.99 20% OFF ORDERS 100.00 OR MORE includes items that are already discounted discounts are computed at checkout – – The Perfect Time to Stock Up on Bonsai Wire! Kilo Rolls are now as low as 14.36 on orders 100.00+ – – GREEN T STATE OF THE ART HYDRAULIC TURNTABLES How About Saving 77.00 on a Green T Basic? or 99.00 on a Green T Plus? (plus Free Shipping in the Continental U.S.) – FREE Shipping Still Applies Even With Our Site Wide Sale* *on … Continue reading New Site Wide Sale for Your Bonsai Essentials

Tiny Flowering Bonsai – NEW Site Wide Sale

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. Let’s make it three straight for Haruyosi, a favorite here and anywhere people love small trees. This isn’t the first time for this post (nor is it the second time). Must be one of our favorites. NEW STONE LANTERN SITE WIDE SALE 10% off Orders 10.00 – 49.99 15% off Orders 50.00 – 99.99 20% off Orders 100.00 or more see below – Here’s Haruyosi’s caption… “This cherry tree ‘Okame’ bloomed half … Continue reading Tiny Flowering Bonsai – NEW Site Wide Sale

New Site Wide Sale for Your Bonsai Essentials

NEW 20% OFF SITE WIDE SALE MEANS DOUBLE DISCOUNTS* *ON OUR ITEMS THAT ARE ALREADY ON SALE (MOST OF OUR ITEMS ARE ALREADY ON SALE) AND A MINIMUM OF 20% OFF ON EVERYTHING ELSE This is a One Time Opportunity that may not last very long – 20% discount will be deducted when you check out – FREE Shipping Still Applies on Continental U.S. orders 75.00 or more but only if you select Free Shipping when you check out – –

Rough & Rugged Old Bonsai – Two Day Book Special

This rugged old tree starkly contrasts with the way it’s presented; the professional studio photo, the quality stand and pot cleaned and oiled to perfection. As you can see, it’s a pine. I won’t bother to guess the variety, but here’s where I found it and here’s the caption… Nippon Bonsai Sakka Kyookai Europe España a SAKKA TEN 2012 – PEÑISCOLA. Fotos de estudio realizadas por Alex Espuny (Studio Photos by Alex Espuny). I’m mesmerized by this tree’s rugged, natural look. So even though we’ve shown it before (with two more photos today), I’m going to ask you to indulge me in a second time NEW 2 DAY … Continue reading Rough & Rugged Old Bonsai – Two Day Book Special

Snow Shoes & Bonsai

One American larch, four pots (plus the original pot below). All this images in this post were borrowed from Boon Manakitivipart (the image above is a composite that we put together). Boon is at it again. This time it’s our prized local larch (Larix laricina). Around here we call it Tamarack (the Algonquian name that means “wood used for snowshoes”). No matter what you call it, it is in my opinion, by far the best local wild species for bonsai. Bar none. This is one of several Which pot do you prefer? posts that were pieced together from Boon’s facebook posts. … Continue reading Snow Shoes & Bonsai

Shape Shifting by Robert Steven

Before and after by Robert Steven. The tree is a Casuarina that originally belonged to Ismail Saleh and now belongs to Robert. Here’s part of what Robert wrote about this transformation… “I changed the viewing angle, squeezed the dead part close to the living part then reset the foliage pads. Sooner or later the dead part will rot, then I should redesign the composition again” Here’s a little history from Robert about this famous tree… “The Legend ! This is one of the oldest Casuarina bonsai in Indonesia which has been going through a long path of transformation and survival, yet still keeps changing … Continue reading Shape Shifting by Robert Steven

Harvey’s Brilliant Backyard Bonsai Garden

Here’s what Bill Valavanis has to say about Harvey Carapella’s backyard bonsai garden… “Enjoy the colorful bonsai garden of Harvey Carapella. His outstanding private bonsai collection is a joy to appreciate, especially at this time of year. I’m quite proud of my friend’s bonsai talent and accomplishments. WOW!” From Bill’s timeline It’s a small world…. It turns out that our Bonsai Star for the Day, Harvey Carapella is an old friend of a good friend of mine here in Vermont. It’s not a bonsai connection, just one of those serendipity type things. When we discover these kinds of connections, my question … Continue reading Harvey’s Brilliant Backyard Bonsai Garden

Wild Plum Bonsai, Before & After

Walter Pall’s Wild plum (Prunus cerasifera) before and six years later Continuing with our latest before and after series… Walter Pall has long been a favorite of ours. Aside from his massive bonsai collection and his considerable skills in developing and maintaining that collection, Walter takes the time to walk us though step by step transformations with a series of sharpe uncluttered photos. And not just three or four photos. In this case there are upwards of fifty (that’s on the high side even for Walter, but he’s always generous in this regard). We’ll show you five photos here and encourage you … Continue reading Wild Plum Bonsai, Before & After