Developing bonsai at Deer Meadow

How, one might ask, does Jim Gremel produce so many great trees, all while maintaining a busy teaching schedule? The answer:

Valentín Cruz, aka “Bali”

Bali, as he is commonly known, loves bonsai. He first came to Deer Meadow Bonsai in 2007 and has been a fixture at the establishment for the past two and a half years. He’s a testament to Gremel’s abilities as a teacher, and a demonstrated practitioner in his own right. Be sure to say hi when you visit.

Jim Gremel and Bali

Also be sure to explore the garden. As you wander past the workshop, you’ll find rows and rows of future bonsai.
Many trees are container grown. Gremel is deservedly well-known for developing shohin and small shimpaku from cutting.

Young shimpaku

Walk past the benches and you’ll see the growing fields.

In a sea of pines

What do these trees look like below?

Japanese black pine trunk

Turn around and you’ll see a row of atlas cedars.

Cedars

Once trees have developed trunks in the ground, Gremel refines them in containers.

Japanese black pine

Cork and live oak

Keep walking past the benches and the neatly planted rows and you’ll hit a wall of future bonsai.

Trident maples

So what are you waiting for – head out and visit! Deer Meadow Bonsai is open by appointment only so be sure to call first. And if you enjoy baked goods, make a side trip to Wild Flour Bread Bakery in nearby Freestone when you’re in the neighborhood.