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.
Review: Bonsai Heresy by Michael Hagedorn
I first heard about the idea for Michael Hagedorn’s recent book, Bonsai Heresy , over ten years ago. Hagedorn explained that he had started collecting, and debunking, unproductive myths in the bonsai world. I couldn’t…
A simple test to evaluate the integration of foliage and deadwood
When I see trees with prominent deadwood, I take note of where the foliage sits in relation to it. Over the years I’ve found that I prefer designs that make it impossible to separate the foliage from the deadwood with a…
Crape Myrtle Fall Fun
Securing a tree without repotting
I started to de-wire a grafted California juniper yesterday when I realized the tree was loose in the pot. The culprit was a loose tie-down wire. Grafted California juniper – 25″ Loose tie-down wire There are a number…
New guide: Winter care for bonsai
Thanks entirely to reader contributions, I’ve published a guide to caring for bonsai in winter. Early snowfall (photo courtesy Jeff in Minnesota) Topics include: Tropical bonsai winter care Plant hardiness Preparing…
Silverberry Bonsai
Bunjin black pines from seed
A few years ago I came across some tall and slender black pines that made a good starting point for creating literati style bonsai (see examples at “ Decandling young bunjin pines “). The trees were the result of…
Fall flowers on satsuki azaleas
I’ve found that a number of satsuki azaleas in my garden have bloomed this fall. It’s normal for satsuki to produce a few flowers this time of year, and occasionally trees are covered with them. When this happens, I…
What to do if your trees think it’s spring
One of my trees seems to have skipped fall – and winter – and is now acting like it’s spring. New leaves emerging on a Japanese plum ( Prunus salicina ) Over summer, this tree suffered from a fungus that attacked the…
How Big Is That Crape, Really? And The Iris Spreads
Timing for fall pruning when the weather is still warm
As I walked through the garden yesterday, I didn’t see many signs of fall. Here, for example, is a chojubai I repotted in August producing new shoots above and new roots below. New growth on dwarf Japanese flowering…
Big Cedar Elm Update
Advice wanted: how to overwinter bonsai in cold climates
My recent visit to see the junipers near Carson Pass, California, reminded me of the last time I saw these trees in October (see “ Sierra junipers in the snow ” for details). The trees had just been covered in snow and…
Visiting ancient Sierra junipers
Last weekend I visited some of my favorite Sierra junipers near Carson Pass, California. On these trips, I visit old favorites and look out for new highlights that’d I’d missed on previous trips. Juniper deadwood…
Rocky Mountain juniper – first wiring
Last summer I did some major cutback on a Rocky Mountain juniper (see “ Initial styling ” for details). I repotted the tree over winter and let the tree grow freely all year. Here’s what it looked like in early fall…
Seasonal maintenance – removing flowers from dwarf flowering quince
Five weeks ago I pruned and defoliated the chojubai below (see “ Cutback on a white chojubai ” for details). The tree produced buds right away, and within a few weeks, it was covered with flower buds. White chojubai…
Sunday Fun – Cedar Elms And The Monster Crape
2020 Autumn Open House- Sales, Displays & Free Programs
Our Autumn Open House is normally not an expanded event during years hosting the US National Bonsai Exhibition. This is not a “normal” year with nearly all bonsai events throughout the world being cancelled. So this…
A Visit To Bergen Water Gardens & Nursery
Every summer our Bonsai Society of Upstate New York has a garden tour. In the past we have visited excellent and interesting collections of Hosta, Dwarf Conifers and even a top Dwarf Conifer & Rare Plant Nursery. Last…
Defoliating Two Japanese Maples
Although defoliation is “generally” recommended as a bonsai training technique it actually requires considerable thought and it’s necessary to contemplate each specific tree and the purpose of removing foliage. Today…
2020 Open House: Sale, Bonsai Displays & Demonstrations
Everyone is invited to visit this year’s Spring Open House & Sale on Saturday-Sunday, June 6-7, 2020, at the International Bonsai Arboretum in Rochester, New York. Please be safe and wear a mask. Since I was unable to…
2020 Spring Beauty at the International Bonsai Arboretum
Full Moon Japanese maple Well, “Spring” has finally arrived in Rochester, NY, although the official safe frost free date is May 30! All the bonsai are now outside and the indoor tropical species are also being moved…
Magnolia Bonsai
While most bonsai fanciers in our great country are finished with transplanting and now defoliating and trimming deciduous bonsai, we in the frigid Upstate New York area are still dancing with moving trees inside and…
Chrysanthemums In Spring?
It is spring and my garden is beginning to display brilliant colors, so what am I doing sharing information on chrysanthemums now? There is an active thread on the Bonsai Nut Bonsai Forum discussing chrysanthemums for…