There’s not much worse than cutting a piece of wire, applying it perfectly and then realizing, on the final turn, that the wire is too short. I picked up my favorite approach to measuring wire from Daisaku Nomoto. I noticed he didn’t seem to look when he cut wire but the size was often perfect. […]
Bonsai Development
Bonsai Development posts form the heart of Bonsai Tonight. Learn about varieties like Black Pine, Shimpaku and Japanese Maple, techniques like Decandling and Grafting and Air Layering, and bonsai features like Deadwood.
Bonsai Development Series #1: How to treat wire scars mid-way along the trunk
When trees are growing quickly, it’s not uncommon to find wire marks along the trunk. Wire marks above the first branch For young trees early in the development phase, it’s not much of a problem when the wire cuts in at the base of the trunk. Cut marks cause swelling and swelling near the base […]
Starting crabapple for bonsai
One bonsai variety that I’d like to see a lot more of is crabapple. They make great shohin, great mid-size trees in medium displays, and, occasionally, outstanding full-size specimens. Kokufu Prize-winning crabapple on display in 2016 I particularly appreciate the color they can add to fall shows. One common variety of crabapple is Malus sieboldii. […]
Rapid recovery – developing a cork oak bonsai
I have yet to find a bonsai variety that develops as quickly in my backyard as cork oak. The cork oak below was dug from a nearby nursery at the beginning of 2016. Unlike the other oaks that were dug the same day, this one promptly lost all of its leaves and showed few signs of […]
Cutback and partial defoliation on trident maple
Healthy trident maples are among the most vigorous deciduous bonsai species. When they are growing well, they can be defoliated three – and sometimes four – times each year. Climate and tree health determine exactly how many times makes sense for any given tree. I partially defoliated a root-over-rock trident back in June. Two weeks later, […]