We usually see photos of cryptomeria bonsai during winter when the trees are dormant. Cryptomeria are usually trained in the formal upright style, and it’s through the development of the branch pads that the trees take on their character. Cryptomeria branch pads Cryptomeria as displayed at Bay Island Bonsai’s 2011 exhibit Summer is a good time […]
Search Results for: juniper
Conifers at REBS 32nd annual show
It’s when I see good material that I most think about what lies ahead for a tree. This year’s REBS exhibit featured some pretty fine conifer bonsai. In time these trees will only get better. Recently collected material will develop refined branching while deciduous trees will continue to ramify and develop more fine branches. For example, […]
Trident maples at REBS 32nd annual show
This past weekend marked the Redwood Empire Bonsai Society’s 32nd annual show. The show is well-known as one of the best – and biggest – exhibits in the area. The show always features a number of collected trees, particularly different varieties of junipers, and it boasts a surprising number of well-established trident maples. Having seen […]
The study of bonsai design
This month’s Bay Island Bonsai meeting focused on bonsai design. Members brought trees for critique and designed trees on paper. Both exercises focus on the criteria we use to design attractive bonsai and help to refine the stylistic sensibilities that inform the decisions we make when we work on our trees. The critique also provided […]
Review: The Bonsai Beginner’s Course
Earlier this week, Bonsai Empire and Bjorn Bjorholm released the Bonsai Beginner’s Course – an online course that covers bonsai basics. The Bonsai Beginner’s Course The course is available via the Bonsai Empire website for $19.99 through June 8th – the cost may rise if you sign up after the 8th. I was provided access to the course […]