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.
August 2025 Bonsai Sale
After studying, growing, training and teaching bonsai for 63 years I have accumulated too many bonsai. Many of the trees have grown large and are too heavy for me to move. Watering and coming in contact with each tree…
Making a Ficus Bonsai
In this multi-year progression, we follow a Ficus as it is turned into a Bonsai tree. The tree had to be pruned, wired and repotted several times over 3 years time. Even though you only see Oscar on this film, these…
Embracing the Natural Flow – Bonsai in a Loose and Organic Style
In the world of bonsai, precision and control often dominate the conversation. We admire the crisp lines, the disciplined shapes, and the miniature grandeur of trees sculpted to perfection. But there’s another path—one…
When Do We Create Accents?
Pitcher Plant and Pearly Everlasting at the Portland Japanese Garden Perennials make up most accent plants. They die back to the roots in the fall, with most of them stubble at repotting time. No leaves in sight. It may…
Juniper Bonsai #juniper #bonsaitree #diy
Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses
Trees in Cinema: Forrest Gump
Certain trees in film aren’t chosen by accident. Their form, the movement of the trunk, the gesture of a branch—offers more than visual interest. Trees can set the tone, root us in place, and subtly underscore the…
A visit to David Nguy’s garden
Getting to know David Nguy over the years has been a pleasure. The first time we had a chance to talk at length was on a trip to Japan about eight years ago. He invited me to his garden that day, and I’d been looking…
Australian National Bonsai and Penjing Collection
In May of 2025 I was in Australia to present at their National Bonsai Convention. It was held in Canberra on the grounds of the National Arboretum. Jennifer Price and myself—the headliners for the weekend—were given a…
7 Rookie mistakes in Bonsai
Don't make these common mistakes when starting with bonsai! The mistakes listed in this video are not random topics - it's what we hear on our Bonsai forum on a daily base, and read in the comments of our YouTube…
Stunning Bonsai #workofart #art #bonsaitreesforbeginners #plants #plants #tree #garden
Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses
Mid-Summer Trident Rework
Mid-summer can be a great time to work on deciduous bonsai. If you have 2 or 3 months left in the growing season it’s not too late. Strong plants like Trident Maple may be reimagined with a hard pruning at this time.…
Two year Pinus Mugo bonsai transformation (Yamadori)
Oscar styles this Mugo pine (Pinus uncinata), which was collected in the South of Germany (Yamadori). The video shows a multi-year progression, explaining which steps to take and when to perform these. And we show what…
Stunning Bonsai tree #japan #miniature #art #japaneseculture
Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses
The Snow Load Assumption
On mountaintops the snow can be deep and last into the summer. If branches on trees are brought down they may stay there for months, buried in snow, next to the trunks like bird wings. Some may even be pinned to the…
Kimura Techniques - Hinoki Cypress Bonsai styling
Masahiko Kimura acquired an absolutely stunning Hinoki cypress Bonsai and kept the tree for a few years, preparing it specifically for the lectures with Bonsai Empire. In this video we learn how mr. Kimura approaches a…
Famous Bonsai #trees #bonsai #japanese #japan #kyoto
Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses
Tom Vuong’s Giant Trees
I drew a lot of inspiration from my visit to Tom Vuong’s bonsai garden. It wasn’t just the trees, but the way he handled them. California juniper Semi-cascade California juniper Tom came up with many the techniques he…
Photo Whiteout Exercise
This photo is in a retirement home in Wisconsin that I frequent. My mother lives there. The complex is so huge that I often forget which hallway it is on, but when I do find it I stand in front of it as if viewing a…
The 3 year progression of a Hinoki cypress Bonsai
Watch a 3 year Bonsai progression in this 33 minute video - and learn how applying Bonsai techniques correctly will enable you to create a beautiful Bonsai from low cost nursery stock material! Chapters 0:00 -…
It All Starts at the Roots
This week’s tutorial dives into one of the most foundational—and often overlooked—aspects of bonsai artistry: the nebari , or surface roots. Just as the trunk and branch structure define the character of a bonsai, the…
Cheapest Bonsai tree #diy #bonsai
Serious about growing your own Bonsai trees? Then consider enrolling in one of our online Bonsai Courses, taught by expert teachers. For the curriculums and free lectures, go to: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses
Satsuki Azalea Early Summer Work: Fishtail
The major season of work on Satsuki azalea is after blooming. Remaining flowers are removed. The ovaries are cut off. And the shoots are selected, shortened, and the leaves reduced to 2, a technique known as fishtail .…
A visit to Peter Macasieb’s shohin garden
Seeing photos ahead of time didn’t adequately prepare me for the literal wall of bonsai that greets visitors at Peter Macasieb’s garden. Peter Macasieb’s garden Peter has been a fixture in the Southern California bonsai…
Studio Sessions: The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk — a monumental Ponderosa Pine — began its journey in 2006 when it was collected from the wild. In 2009, during a pivotal moment in his apprenticeship, Ryan Neil was entrusted with this massive…