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 […]
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Right-sizing a bonsai collection
One consequence of writing a book about bonsai is that I’ve really started to take some of the lessons to heart. For years I’ve known I have more trees than I can adequately care for. When I take on more projects than I can make time for it can become a challenge to keep the […]
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, […]
A visit to Kenji Miyata’s garden
When I found out I was going to Atlanta, I immediately made plans to visit Kenji Miyata’s garden. Kenji is a Japanese-trained bonsai professional who spent the majority of his career in the US, first in California, and now in Georgia. Kenji studied with Yasuo Mitsuya (Boon’s first teacher in Japan) where he learned black […]
Highlights from the 2025 Atlanta Bonsai Society Annual Show
Earlier this month I made a trip to Georgia to participate in the Atlanta Bonsai Society’s annual show. Held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the two-day event featured vendors, critiques, a workshop, (fantastic food), and an exhibit in which every member is encouraged to participate. I’m a big supporter of the idea that everyone can […]