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.
Bonsai interview
Nick Hopes is a very talented British bonsai potter and bonsai enthusiast. This interview was done a few months ago and was first released for members of Kisetsu-en. now shared with everybody. @ Maidenhair Ceramics by…
A Pine Makeover
Apprentice Patch Clark is back with a Japanese Black Pine. This is our sequel to A Juniper Makeover . A tall Black Pine with nice bark and plenty of issues. For one thing, after the first foot there is no taper. The…
Update– 2023 8th US National Bonsai Exhibition Commemorative Album
Thank you for your interest for the 2023 8 th US National Bonsai Exhibition Commemorative Album. I appreciate your order and support! The album was STILL in production, I got delayed because all the exhibitors did NOT…
Appreciating shohin displays at Gafu-ten
After reviewing the basics of how to assemble a shohin display last week (see “ Award-winning display ” for details), we can begin to spot differences in otherwise similar-looking displays and better understand what…
3D Bonsai—Interactive Images From Aaron Kupferman
During the setup for the 2024 Pacific Bonsai Expo I saw a walled-off photography setup in the corner. At least, that’s what I thought it was, until I saw a second setup that I knew, for sure, was a photography setup.…
Live Q&A Thursday
Thursday we have our monthly Live Q&A and some good topics ticking in for that. Be sure to join and bring in your questions too. Winter isn’t really a thing this season (until now), where only rain and clouds are…
Award-winning shohin display at the 50th Gafu-ten
At this year’s Gafu-ten, the top shohin exhibit in Japan, there were many examples of what we might call “conventional contemporary shohin displays.” The effect, when scanning the hall, was that a lot of the displays…
Should I Worry About That Burl?
They have an attraction, these lumpy knobs on trees. Several times I’ve stared up at a tree in a forest with a magnificent lumpy knob, and, after admiring it, wondered if it was the next to be stolen. The theft of maple…
Special displays at the 50th Gafu-ten
I’ve noticed, in recent years, more and more special displays at Japanese bonsai exhibits. I think of a special display as any approach to bonsai display other than the standard arrangement of trees and accents within…
The Baobabs And Acacias Of Africa
I am on the way home from Africa. The first half of the trip was a birding trip in Gambia , and the second half was spent with friends in Senegal, one of whom works at the U.S. Embassy. We took a long road trip north…
2025 94TH Meifu Bonsai Exhibition
The 94 th Meifu Bonsai Exhibition was held on January 10-12, 2025 in Nagoya, Japan. This is one of the largest and most important bonsai exhibitions. Also, it is the second longest in duration than the 99 th KokuFu…
2025 50TH Gafu Ten Shohin Exhibition Part- 2
The Gafu Shohin Bonsai Exhibition was held in the same venue and exhibition hall as the Taikan Ten Bonsai Exhibition only six week ago. Even though both exhibitions were similar and had most of the same vendors. Both…
A Juniper Makeover
This juniper was one of the first restyling adventures of my new apprentice, Patch Clark. This is how the juniper came into the yard. I gave the design lead on the tree to Patch. This was Patch’s instinct with the tree.…
Bonsai Trees and the Importance of Bark
Back in the studio recording a new video coming out Thursday for the members. The subject here in this blog post is just something that came in mind when looking at the old Japanese White Pine bark. One of the key…
Fall work basics – black and red pine
If you haven’t finished your fall pine work, there’s still time! Fall and winter, right up until buds start elongating in spring, is a good time to prune and wire dormant conifers including Japanese black and red pines.…
Happy New Year 2025
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2025 New Years Photo Reel
In the past I’ve called this annual “blooper” reel. Fewer of these 2024 shots seem like authentic bloopers, but there are still plenty of bats, toothy fungus grins, and odd sugary drinks to keep you wondering. I do.…
Refining a field-grown cork bark elm
A couple of years ago, I came across a great batch of cork bark elms at Lone Pine Gardens. It had been a while since I’d owned one, so I picked out my favorite and brought it home. Field-grown cork bark elm – December,…
Developing A Scots Pine Bonsai– part 1
I came across a few of these photos from a “memory” which popped up on my Facebook page, and thought I’d update the development of this Scots pine from a Xmas tree farm in Pennsylvania. Of course, I’ll add a lot more…
Understanding Your Bonsai
As the year runs out, here is a possible bonsai promise to yourself for 2025. Learn to observe and understand your bonsai. In the fast-paced world we live in, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, even…
The Physics Of Bonsai Transport
I am the last person to write about physics. In high school I recall a particularly excruciating segment on optics, which left me cross-eyed. I have, however, seen a lot of crunched trees in cars and have a suggestion…
The bonsai year soon ends and then a new beginning
Bonsai have filled a lot this year as it has done for several years. A lot of friends around the world make the world small and comforting in these challenging times in my part of the world. Denmark is still as safe a…
Developing red maple bonsai
I’ve had a lot of fun working with red maples, also known as swamp maples, over the past few years. The basic training routine is the same as it is for other deciduous species – prune and reduce foliage in the middle of…
Extreme Pruning-
In bonsai, “pruning” is a catch-all word that covers several related plant actions. On a bonsai, a scissors could be considered a pruning tool. Then there’s the periodic hard cutback into old wood, using concave…