As a number of you noticed in the last post, using a straight cylinder for creating exposed root pine bonsai can lead to a fairly uninteresting trunk line. This can be fixed easily – here’s how. Below is a photo of a 12 year-old pine trained in the exposed root style. There is a nice […]
Search Results for: oak
How to tell when something is wrong with your bonsai
Even when you water and fertilize properly and keep your bonsai in a location appropriate for their health, problems can arise. Insects, disease, poor drainage or short periods of neglect can stress bonsai and cause trees to weaken. Working on stressed trees, whether wiring or cutting back, can cause further stress. This may sound funny, […]
How to evaluate bonsai water needs
Once you’ve determined that a given species can thrive in your area and you’ve found a spot in the garden well-suited to its development, the next order of business is determining the tree’s water needs. At a basic level, determining water needs is simple. Dig down into the soil to where roots are growing and […]
General exhibit at GSBF’s 39th convention
As the larger of the convention’s two shows, the general exhibit at GSBF’s 39th convention in Sacramento featured a broader range of sizes and varieties of trees. This included a number of California’s native junipers. California juniper planted on a rock California juniper California juniper Shimpaku grafted on Sierra juniper My favorite of the native […]
Judged Bonsai Show at GSBF Convention 39
The Golden State Bonsai Federation hosted its 39th convention this past weekend in Sacramento, California. The event drew attendees from across the state and across the country who came to see demos, take workshops, and catch up with friends. The volunteers who ran the convention did a fantastic job. Thanks to everyone who helped make […]




