from the blog

How To Drill Holes In Bonsai Pots For Better Drainage

How To Drill Holes In Bonsai Pots For Better Drainage

September 18, 2026

Due to warping in firing, or poor planning, some bonsai pot drainage holes don’t do their jobs. A pot that doesn’t drain well may make bottom roots sit in water, which isn’t ideal for species like pines. A willow or wisteria wouldn’t mind. You might also wish to address antique pots, which often have tiny […]

Design Options For A Bunjin

Design Options For A Bunjin

September 11, 2026

This bunjin featured in a recent post. Like many bonsai, it has several design options. Shore Pine after a couple years of free growth. Though it has been styled once, each reset is an opportunity to disagree with the earlier one. What other design might work? With some branch bends, we could go in any […]

Another Way To Think About “Helmet Heads”

Another Way To Think About “Helmet Heads”

September 4, 2026

For many, the large domes of foliage on bonsai that are popular around the world are ridiculous. The “helmet head” label is accurate enough—they look not unlike the impressive headgear of Lord Dark Helmet in the movie Spaceballs. Rather intimidating. And, top heavy. To give the critique credit, such large domes are often out of […]

Join the club!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

🤞Sign up for the blog!

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy