One of several side trips on my recent visit to Germany took us to Heidelberg to see Minoru Bonsai, the garden of Michael Tran. Michael Tran Michael, who studied with Udo Fischer, among others, founded the garden in 2009 and hosted several high-profile events featuring international bonsai professionals known as Generation Bonsai. Michael’s garden features […]
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Walter Pall bonsai master class
About a year and a half ago, I mentioned that I’d like to visit Walter Pall’s garden. The message got through to Walter (thanks, Jennifer!), and last week I was able to make the trip a reality. Each summer Walter conducts a master class for students and friends at the Bonsaigarten Munich, a public bonsai […]
Spring work for deciduous bonsai
Not long after my deciduous bonsai leaf out, I start thinking about when the perfect time would be to prune and partially defoliate them. In general, the more dense the branches, the earlier in the season I do the work. Once deciduous trees reach a certain density, spring growth on the outside branches shades out […]
A visit to the Bonsai Pavilion at Safari Park
Last weekend the San Diego Bonsai Club held their 60th anniversary celebration. The event was held at the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park, home to the Bonsai Pavilion, a beautiful garden and bonsai collection built and maintained by volunteers in the club. If you have a chance to visit, I highly recommend it! The team […]
A look inside The Essential Bonsai Book
I’m writing on a Tuesday this week as the release date for The Essential Bonsai Book has arrived! It’s hard to sum up all that went into the book over the last three years – four major drafts, eleven photo shoots, feedback from more than 20 editors plus great work from the sales, marketing, production, […]




