About 15 years ago, Boon brought a Korean hornbeam to a Bay Island Bonsai meeting. It was November, and the tree was in fall color. I’d never seen such vivid reds, oranges and yellows on a bonsai in person. I decided right then I wanted one. Several years later, I found my chance. It was […]
Korean hornbeam
Cutback on Korean hornbeam
The 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition is just a few months away. The event will be held on September 10th and 11th in Rochester, New York – home to William N. Valavanis, the force responsible for bringing the event to life. As always, there will be demonstrators from around the world, a large vendor area, […]
Partially defoliating a Korean hornbeam
Spring is a great time for defoliation – the removal of leaves from deciduous bonsai. As defoliation is very stressful for trees, it’s only for healthy specimens that respond well to the procedure. I’ve learned from past experience that fully defoliating my Korean hornbeam can lead to dieback of weak, interior shoots. Now I partially […]
Korean hornbeam display
This year’s Taikan-ten featured a special display area devoted to an impressive collection of Korean hornbeams. Hornbeams are a favorite variety of mine as they can show great character in the trunk and develop very twiggy branches. Cascade Korean hornbeam – unglazed hexagonal pot It’s rare to see so many old specimens together so it was […]
Displaying a Korean hornbeam
I’m working, this week, on my submission for the Artisans Cup coming to Portland, Oregon, in September. Haven’t submitted a tree yet? No problem, there are still 3 days left. The requirements are simple – a few photos of your tree, a photo of the intended display, and a few words describing your intention behind […]