Spotted in the Wild
Historical Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and RSS posts previously curated by the club (2017–present). Not authored by the club — preserved here since the original source feeds no longer carry this history.
Watch video: How to arrange bonsai forest trunks
Arranging the trunks in a bonsai forest after it is planted and established can be tricky without simultaneously repotting the group. However, with anchoring wire and some creative support, it is possible to make some…
2024 PBE: Submissions are open
If you’re thinking about submitting to the 2024 Pacific Bonsai Expo, now’s the time! We’re accepting submissions through April 30 so the deadline’s a ways off, but now is a good time to take pictures of any deciduous…
2024 98th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition- Part 2
The 2024 98 th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition is being held in two parts this year (Part 1 February 9-12, 2024 and Part 2 February 14-17, 2024.) Again, (like most years) the exhibition was held in the Tokyo Metropolitan Art…
Root Grafting Stewartia
Quick note: Apologies subscribers, we are having a temporary issue with getting the blog to your inbox. We’re working on it! This week, a photo essay of a Stewartia root graft in a recent winter Seasonal class . These…
The 61st Exhibition Of Suiseki Masterpieces
The 61 st Exhibition Of Suiseki Masterpieces was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno Park, Tokyo, on February 14-17, 2024. This is the same venue as the Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition, but in a different gallery…
A Visit To Tree House Bonsai– Adams Jones
Adams Jones, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was teaching English in several Southeastern Asia countries. In 2011 his teaching led him to Japan and his boss suggested that he visit the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum…
2024 98th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition– Part 1
The 2024 98 th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition is being held in two parts this year (Part 1 February 9-12, 2024 and Part 2 February 14-17, 2024.) Again, (like most years) held the exhibition in the Tokyo Metropolitan Art…
Rescuing a small neglected Japanese Quince
A neglected small Japanese Quince is rescued and brought to life in this episode. Normally we repot Chaenomeles in autumn, but when roots are suffering and the health is declining it’s timely to take action in spring.…
A Shohin Bonsai book is coming up
The next Shohin Bonsai book is coming up. It has been a roller coaster getting this book on the table because the original publisher suddenly announced that they stopped publishing books just before they should have it…
Takeaways from the second Shohin School Winter Seminar
Last month, Andrew Robson and I hosted a Shohin Seminar in Milwaukie, Oregon, featuring Japanese professional Daisaku Nomoto. Around fifty participants from seven states enjoyed two days of shohin education focused on…
The Garden of David Benevente
Quick note: Apologies for the lapse in a blog posting last week. WordPress issues. If you wrote me an email in the first week of February, I may not have gotten it… One name that comes to mind on any list of great…
Cascade style Shohin bonsai from simple material
This weeks episode shows the transformation of a pre-grown simple Picea. This was originally found as a small seedling in the garden, and after 5-7 years of growth (cant remember the years exactly as I am getting older,…
Baikoen Bonsai Kenkyukai 60th Annual Winter Silhouettes Show Highlights
On January 13th and 14th, the Baikoen Bonsai Kenkyukai hosted their 60th Annual Winter Silhouettes Show in Arcadia, California. Winter silhouette shows are a treat as there aren’t many around and it’s great to see…
UBE 2024 Show Highlights
The annual Trophy in Belgium is widely regarded as the central EU bonsai show, and deservedly so. I was lucky enough to see it in 2015 and felt I’d only once before seen that level outside of Japan, in Taiwan. Less…
Live Q&A Thursday
Thursday, January 25 at 8 PM (UTC +1) the monthly Live Q&A is scheduled. Bring in your questions and also send questions in before where you can attach pictures if needed. Questions can be about everything…
Hemlock On A Cliff—9 Years Later
We made this composition in 2016. It was a funny little tree, so we made an unusual presentation on a rock and it’s been sitting out there maturing. The inspiration for it was medium-age trees that grow upright, halfway…
Mume and bonsai slap DIY
Today 2 videos are released. One about Prunus Mume and a bit complicated and narrow time frames for wiring and pruning. Prunus mume, Japanese apricot This special and beautiful species flowers in January and February…
Black Pine: Subtle Corrections
Here’s a GIF of a small Japanese Black Pine after a couple adjustments. These are subtle, so it may take several viewings to see the final adjustments. The GIF has 3 parts. Here’s a breakdown of the adjustments: Part 2:…
Bonsai work in winter
Winter doesn’t mean we can’t work on some bonsai. It’s a good time to grab a Firethorn and set your fingers at a test. Ohhh those prickly thorns hurt. But still, I was able to survive and make this week’s episode about…
2024 Pacific Bonsai Expo updates
We have a lot of news to share about this year’s event! I’ll provide the highlights below and will follow up with more detailed info over the coming months. First up, we’ll be hosting the event at a… New Venue! For the…
Seedling Time 2024!
! Happy New Year to all. Many thanks for your past purchases and I hope your new trees are healthy and you are starting to shape them. Although its cold (25F) and snowy (only 2” but still coming down) Its beginning to…
Michael Roberts:
A year ago we featured Michael Roberts on a couple blog posts, and here’s another one. Michael not only works with great care and patience over many years but also had the foresight to take photos of his subjects. Which…
A New Year with Shohin Bonsai
Happy New Year from me, Daisy and my family. We start again after a few days of laziness and jumping into a new year. A New Year is often said to be a new beginning. Here it is a new year with the same beginning. I am…
Red Maple 32-Year Animated History
Happy Holidays everyone! Take care of each other.