Short interviews at the 7th US National Bonsai Exhibition

During a stroll through the 7th National Bonsai Exhibition last month in Rochester, New York, Andrew Robson and I took the opportunity to talk record conversations with a number of friends for a new episode of the Bonsai Wire Podcast.

Some interviewees provided updates about their experiences at the exhibit, while others provided a framework for evaluating novel approaches to bonsai (thanks, David!). Our guests include:

William N. Valavanis, host of the US National Exhibition and publisher of International Bonsai (see Shishigashira Japanese maple below)

Suthin Sukosolvisit, National Prize-winning bonsai professional and owner of Suthin Bonsai Studio

Kather Shaner, curator of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California

David De Groot, author of Principles of Bonsai Design and former curator of the Weyerhaeuser Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection (now the Pacific Bonsai Museum)

Bjorn Bjorholm, bonsai professional and owner of Eisei-en Bonsai (see Scots pine and red chojubai below)

Young Choe, kusamono artist and curator of the US National Exhibition’s kusamono display

Todd Schlafer, bonsai professional and owner of First Branch Bonsai (see Douglas fir below)

Sara Rayner, owner of Sara Rayner Pottery (see glazed pot below)

Brussel Martin, founder of Brussel’s Bonsai

Matt Reel, bonsai professional and owner of Reel Bonsai

Tyler Sherrod, bonsai professional and owner of Dogwood Studios

If you’re interested in catching up with these artists, check out the recent episode of the Bonsai Wire Podcast.

In the meantime, here are a few of the trees displayed at the exhibition.

Scots pine

Red chojubai

Brandon, Jeremiah, Nao, and Andrew enjoying the exhibition (and discussing bonsai NFTs)

Sierra juniper

Black pine

Buttonwood

Shihigashira Japanese maple

Glazed pot by Sara Rayner

Ponderosa pine

Colorado blue spruce discussed by David De Groot

Kusamono display

Listen to the interviews at the Bonsai Wire Podcast.

For high quality photos of all trees on display, pre-order the exhibition catalog.

News & Updates

• The GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous is this weekend! Come to Santa Nella this Saturday or Sunday for demonstrations, silent auctions, and a great mix of vendors from around the state. I’ll be at the event with a selection of tools and trees. Learn more at the GSBF Rendezvous Website.

• Sale on a pallet of small pumice: If you use a lot of pumice in your mixes, I have a limited number of pallets of small pumice available at a discount. The normal bulk rate for one pallet (48 30lb. bags) is 15/bag. The sale rate is 11/bag. Particle size for the small pumice is 3/32″ – 3/16″ with most particles between 3/32″ – 1/8″. For more information or to place an order, see the Bonsai Soil – Wholesale Order Page.

• One space available for the Fall Intensive: This year’s Fall Intensive dates are November 5-7. Attendance is limited to four participants and class will be held under cover outdoors. For more information or to sign up, see the Development Intensives Page.