-
The mystery of Japanese maples shifting leaf colours in summer
In the Kisetsu-en bonsai collection, there are several pieces of the beloved Japanese maple, Acer palmatum. They all have slightly different habits of leaf development in spring and some colours up differently in autumn. Two of the small Shohin stand out in their different behaviour…
-
Mame bonsai is fun
The smallest bonsai is categorized as Shohin bonsai and a subcategory is Mame (bean) bonsai, only measuring up to 10 cm / 4 Inches. Shohin bonsai measures a maximum of 20cm/10 inches from the rim of the pot to the top of the tree (give…
-
Pushing bonsai ideas
Pushing bonsai ideas is the most important part of my bonsai teaching. Techniques and caretaking are equally important parts of any workshop, but I try not to pressure certain styles or ways of designing a bonsai onto the participants. Instead, I try to set up…
-
The private bonsai collection of Samuel Thompson
At the recent Australian bonsai event, I was headlining with Marija Hajdic there was time for an evening visit after the workshops were done during the day. Despite having a narrow time slot and being busy all day we managed to force through a visit…
-
The bonsai collection and events in Canberra these days
The days in Canberra at the Bonsai Reshaped 2024 are busy. Next week a members video from the Arboretum will be posted, but until then a few more posts from the event. Yesterday the big evening with the demo on stage was done, and the…
-
Bonsai Australia coming up
Tomorrow I leave for Australia to join up with Marija Hajdic when we arrive down under. This year the Bonsai Reshaped event is held over 4 days April 11-14. Demonstrations workshops and lots of social connections are part of this big Australian event. Because I…
-
Pot choices for two Shohin bonsai
Hmmmm…. what pot should I choose? This may be one of the spring questions often asked among bonsai enthusiasts. In this week’s video, I look into exploring the pot choice. Repotting bonsai is also a chance to select maybe a new pot for a tree.…
-
Wild rose varieties and simple flowering roses are the best for bonsai. The Japanese Eijitsu rose multiflora has many qualities for bonsai and it is an exquisite dwarf variety of Rose. Qualities are a thick woody trunk, and it develops tight internodes (distance between leaves.…
-
Spring bonsai and Live Q&A Thursday
It happens! Spring is just around the corner. Before that, we have the LIVE Q&A as always the last Thursday of the month. This time at the exceptional date February 29. Temperatures are steady and after a storm the other day all trees are back…
-
Watch video: How to arrange bonsai forest trunks
Arranging the trunks in a bonsai forest after it is planted and established can be tricky without simultaneously repotting the group. However, with anchoring wire and some creative support, it is possible to make some adjustments. In this tutorial, I show different methods of adjusting…
