Spotted in the Wild

Formal Upright Bald Cypress – Development 101

Bonsai Development Series #24: Twisting young junipers

The best strategy for creating junipers with interesting deadwood is to add twists to the trunk while the tree is still young. Some people begin by twisting young whips before they add movement. The alternative is to…

Bonsai Odds & Ends – Rip, Swamp Maple, Ginkgo, Surprise

Bonsai Development Series #23: Wiring young juniper trunks

For years I’ve wanted to write about wiring rooted juniper cuttings, but I stopped short as before and after photos aren’t always helpful. Rooted juniper cuttings before and after wiring To make the trunk-line easier to…

Developing branches on Chinese wisteria

For the last year and a half, I’ve been working to increase the branch density on a Chinese wisteria. Last fall, I was able to see the results. Here’s what the tree looked like in fall. Fall color – November, 2020 After…

Late Potting Or Repotting Your Bonsai

Repotting a Sierra juniper with a compacted root ball

When a bonsai hasn’t been repotted in a while, the broken down soil and roots can fill most of the gaps between soil particles and make for a compacted root ball. It’s hard to keep bonsai healthy when water doesn’t move…

Update on the Pacific Bonsai Expo

Just over a year ago, I mentioned an idea for a regional bonsai show. It’s time for an update! For starters, Eric Shrader and I have decided to move the event to next year. We’re aiming for the first or second weekend…

Big Water-Elm Progression

Repotting nursery stock – sekka hinoki

One species that I’m excited to work with over the next few years is sekka hinoki, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘sekka’. Sekka are a dwarf hinoki cultivar with incredibly small foliage making them a popular choice for…

Corin Tomlinson’s YouTube Channel

CORIN TOMLIINSON Over 30 years ago Corin Tomlinson became my first (and only) formal bonsai apprentice. His father, Harry, established Greenwood Gardens Bonsai Studio in Nottingham, England 40 years ago, and became an…

What kind of soil should I use for my bonsai?

I hear the question a lot, and it’s a good one. In my garden, I use mixes based on the species I’m growing and my development goals for the tree. I make adjustments for the health of the tree, my budget, and the…

It’s Happening – Sunshine, Warmth and Foliage

Aligning containers with development goals

I use a variety of containers in my garden, but over the years I’ve narrowed the types of containers I use at different stages of development. Here are some common options for our trees and some of the reasons why we…

Big Bald Cypress Gets A Home

Post-Snow Elm Work

Pot selection exercise – Japanese maple

I always look forward to repotting trees that haven’t been repotted in a while. It’s a great opportunity to make improvements to the surface roots and I can change the look of the tree by selecting a new container.…

Winter Snow…..

Snow, I hate snow, and cold weather I Like snow on postcards and on Xmas eve. So far this season Rochester, New York has only experienced 57 inches of snow, while normal season to date is over 70 inches. Yesterday we…

Branch refinement – controlling vigor with decandling

It’s been fun watching the branches develop on some of the older pines I’ve grown from seed. When these trees are healthy, it only takes a few years to reduce the internode length and fill out the basic silhouette. The…

Huckleberries Leafing Out, And Freeze Protection

Repotting a young exposed root pine

Last week I received a reminder that it’s time to repot the pines in my garden. Strong winds had knocked over a young exposed root pine revealing lots of new roots. Broken pot My favorite time to repot pines is after…

An American Beech With Potential

Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #5 For 2021

Repotting satsuki azalea

Azaleas are well-known for having two repotting seasons – one at the end of winter before the spring growth emerges, and one after the flowers bloom in late spring. I think of repotting in spring as a good option if…