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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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Barberry – Mission Impossible
This week’s bonsai tutorial takes us into the wild territory of the unexpected. An old, neglected Barberry—forgotten and not well-grown—becomes the centre of attention. At first glance, it might seem like a mission impossible. However, in bonsai, the most challenging material can sometimes hold the…
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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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Caring for Your Bonsai in Early Autumn: A Gentle Transition
As the first hints of autumn settle, the bonsai garden begins its quiet transformation. The light softens, the air soon cools – although right now we have warm, pleasant summer temperatures, and the trees respond with subtle shifts in colour and energy. This is a…
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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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Growing Flowering Shohin Bonsai
There’s something quietly magical about a flowering shohin bonsai. In just a handful of centimeters, it holds the grace of a full-sized tree and the delicate beauty of seasonal blooms. Among the many species suited for this miniature art form, Spiraea stands out—not just for its charming…
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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…
