Chojubai: 10-Year Development
After growing Chojubai for 10 years from 2” cuttings, I now have some idea what’s possible in that time frame. A few weeks ago we had Daisaku Nomoto in the garden, and on going into the Chojubai house where our efforts of the last decade were, he said, “Only ten years! In Japan they’d be […]
Major Branch Removal: Shore Pine
Here’s a pine with an odd branch. It arises from the lower part of the tree, across from another branch. It’s a bar branch. Those who have read Bonsai Heresy know I’m willing to leave a bar branch now and then if it’s needed for balance or fullness. In this instance the odd branch isn’t filling […]
Engelmann Spruce: A 15-Year History
A short history of this Spruce: bought in 2008 at Bonsai Northwest, part of a collection being sold styled in 2009 lived merrily for 5 years nearly died of a fungal attack in 2015 many dead branches later, it was reworked in 2023 2008, an Engelmann Spruce camouflaged as a mop. 2011, filling in a […]
What’s a Root Aphid and What’s Mycorrhiza?
It’s not easy to tell the difference between them. Aphids are detrimental and Mycorrhiza are beneficial, so we have to get this right. Which is tricky, as they are doppelgängers. I’ve seen lost branches from root aphids, and general weakening. They are usually found in greatest numbers right next to the pot wall. Mycorrhiza helps uptake of […]
Indiegogo Campaign: Buy Binoculars for Young Birding Guides in Ecuador
This week, a sideways skip from bonsai…still about connecting with nature, protecting and nurturing it as we do in bonsai, but in a different way. This is about an Indiegogo campaign I just launched. Last month I went on a 2-week birding trip to Ecuador. I saw 327 species on this trip—spectacular birds!—but it was […]
Twin-Trunk Hemlock on Slab: Rework
This Mountain Hemlock was the first tree I put on a nylon slab, back in 2012. We reworked it this week. Before work, January 2023. This composition was put together 11 years ago. After the initial round of work. The right side of this composition has felt foliage-heavy the last few years. The skinny trunks […]
Interview with Enrique Castano
This was a hoot. Enrique and I talk internationality in bonsai, creative directions, and bonsai education in this 40 minute interview. Please be patient! The first few sentences are in Spanish, the rest is in English. The interview was for the Latin America groups, FELAB 2021, which I repost here with gratitude. If the video doesn’t […]
Windswept Mountain Hemlock: Revisit
A couple years ago we did an initial design of this lovely hemlock collected by Anton Nijhuis. Today we revisit it after a rewiring. The tree is still in a box, and is high on the list of those in need of fun presentations this spring. We may revisit it—yet again—soon. First, here’s a trip […]
2022 Blooper Reel
Haven’t done this for a while…ending the year with our most embarrassing images. Really, they’re often better than what we were trying to do. So with that encouragement, please watch our montage, below. Because life is short. January 2023 Bulletin Board Seasonal workshop dates for 2023 are up! There’s a waitlist for several sessions, please […]
Coin Toss Forest Design Exercise
If you’re seeking something bonsai-ish to do while socked in by a snow storm, this might be it. I’d heard of this exercise years ago but had never tried it. While it wasn’t snowing out (it was raining), I did think this was the best thing I could do with my afternoon: take a handful […]