First develop the trunk, then work on the branches. That’s how I think about bonsai development. If the trunk has yet to reach its final size, I use large pots and encourage vigorous growth. When I’m happy with the trunk, I move trees to smaller pots and focus on refinement. A number of my black pines turn […]
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Too much of a good thing
As I worked my way through the repotting of many pines this winter, I found a young specimen that’s beginning to take shape. Nice, I thought, it even has a good root base. Then I looked closer. Black pine – 11 years from seed Up close, I found that the roots were actually a bit much […]
Fall work at Shinpukuji Bonsai Museum
Last fall, Boon Manakitivipart brought a student from Thailand to work with him at Shinpukuji Bonsai Museum. Removing leaves from a Chinese quince Some of the work involved removing leaves from deciduous varieties including quince and trident maple. Trident maple After removing the leaves Another trident maple with leaves removed Fall is also a great […]
Shinpukuji Temple Bonsai Museum
Just outside the city of Okazaki, itself outside the larger city of Nagoya, lies Shinpukuji Temple, a complex first built in the 6th century and home to an impressive bonsai museum. The museum was started by Mr. Oomura, a prominent bonsai collector and enthusiast. Here are some highlights from the trees on display last fall […]
A visit to Daiju-en bonsai garden
I’ve always enjoyed photos from other people’s visits to great bonsai gardens. Sometimes I recognize the trees and can see how they’ve changed over the years. Other times I’m seeing them for the first time. Seeing trees in gardens is different than seeing them in exhibits. The trees are in growing pots, we can see […]