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The Quiet Fall – Bonsai and the Japanese Embrace of Autumn’s Melancholy
As the days shorten and the air turns crisp, a quiet transformation begins. At the moment, colours are slowly shifting here in the Kisetsu-en bonsai garden. In Japan, autumn is not merely a season—it is a deeply poetic moment in time. It is a season…
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The Autumn Light and the Dance of Deciduous Bonsai
As summer fades and autumn arrives, the light begins to soften. The sun sits lower in the sky, casting longer shadows and bathing the bonsai garden in a golden hue. This shift in light is not just a visual delight—it plays a crucial role in…
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Embracing the Natural Flow – Bonsai in a Loose and Organic Style
🌿 In the world of bonsai, precision and control often dominate the conversation. We admire the crisp lines, the disciplined shapes, and the miniature grandeur of trees sculpted to perfection. But there’s another path—one that leans into nature’s rhythm, where imperfection becomes beauty and looseness becomes…
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It All Starts at the Roots
This week’s tutorial dives into one of the most foundational—and often overlooked—aspects of bonsai artistry: the nebari, or surface roots. Just as the trunk and branch structure define the character of a bonsai, the nebari anchors the tree visually and physically. A well-developed nebari gives the…
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Some changes this week and the next
Some temporary changes for members of Kisetsu-en the next two weeks. Because I am down a bit with some cold and a tough virus I have to change the time schedule for Thursday and also the next weeks planned Live Q&A is changed. Tomorrows (Thursday)…
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Why Fertilising Right Matters
Shohin bonsai—tiny trees with towering presence—are a marvel of miniature horticulture. Typically no taller than 20 cm (about 8 inches), these small-scale bonsai demand not only artistic vision but also precise care. Among the most critical aspects of their health and beauty is one often…
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The Outdoor Tokonoma at Kisetsu-en Bonsai Garden
On request I have written a post about the outdoor Tokonoma created a few years ago A Blend of Tradition and Innovation In the serene Kisetsu-en Bonsai Garden, I crafted an outdoor Tokonoma that merges traditional Japanese aesthetics with innovative design. I hope it adds…
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Wire Weekend Wales
Thank you, Dragon Bonsai in Wales, for another great weekend. Boy, did we do a lot of trees over the weekend. Excellent company, food and people. I always feel very welcome – even when I suggest a branch to be removed Only time for a…
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Bonsai in Wales coming up – Q&A Live Thursday coming up
Spring is running fast forward, and it looks like the bonsai will receive some warmth and sunny weather the next week. This speed up the growth and the need of paying attention on watering. If a tree lacks water or is overwatered it can damage…
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Juniper Form and Balance: Step Two with the Itoigawa Juniper
In our latest video tutorial, we continue our journey with the Itoigawa Juniper, focusing on the crucial second step: refining the tree’s form and balance. After the intricate deadwood work in the previous episode, it’s time to shrink the size to Shohin bonsai measures and…
