Coast redwoods are a fantastic species for training as bonsai, and one that I plan to write about more going forward. One fun thing about redwoods is that there are a number of different approaches to training them. Some people set the structure of the tree by pruning and wiring, while others build branches by […]
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Recent Posts
Pacific Bonsai Expo website launches
Eric Schrader and I are happy to announce that we’ve launched a website for next year’s Pacific Bonsai Expo! We’ve outlined event basics like how and when to submit trees, how the judging process works, and who our jurors will be. On that note, we’re thrilled that Bjorn Bjorholm, Ryan Neil, and William N. Valavanis […]
Tips for late summer
When everything goes well, there isn’t a lot of bonsai work this time of year. Deciduous trees are recovering from their last pruning of the season, decandled pines are filling in, and tropical bonsai are getting their final cutback of the season. That said, the next month is pivotal for improving and maintaining tree health. […]
Developing a grafted juniper
I’ve been waiting three years to start shaping one of the junipers in my garden. Since I decided to graft it in winter, 2018, I’ve been allowing it to grow freely until there was enough new foliage to support the tree on its own (see “Grafting follow-up” for the previous post about this tree). I […]
Committing to an approach graft – separating the roots
I recently acquired a California juniper with two approach grafts. The grafts were struck to change the foliage from California juniper to shimpaku juniper. At first glance, it looked like the grafts had both taken. The key indicator is when the branch swells past the graft union. California juniper with two approach grafts Swelling past […]