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: Kimura Techniques Masterclass 2
The latest online course from Bonsai Empire continues its series with Mr. Masahiko Kimura. The 4.5 hour series of video lectures covers the styling of a huge Japanese Black Pine and the detailing of a Hinoki Cypress for…
How to get a thick Bonsai trunk
In this video, Oscar explains the fastest way to get a thicker Bonsai trunk. For trunk size to increase, you'll need strong growth. Sacrificial apexes and branches are the best way to let a tree grow strongly, without…
Bonsai trees #nature #miniature #japan
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
Bonsai Repotting Tips #bonsaitree #bonsai
Example Of A Good Pigeon Breast
Remember that guideline to avoid pigeon breasts? A strong movement of part of the trunk toward the viewer? Well. Here is a tree that just begged for that guideline to be ignored. (Somewhere in Bonsai Heresy I wrote…
Ginkgo bonsai
We style a Ginkgo Bonsai in this video. Oscar shows how to create a small sized Bonsai out of young nursery stock material, as he styles the tree over the course of about two years time. We like to thank Clingendael…
A visit to the Chinese Garden at the Huntington
After visiting the Bonsai Collection at the Huntington, I carved out time to visit the adjacent Chinese Garden. It was an eye-opening experience! Taking its inspiration from 16th and 17th century gardens in Suzho (near…
Bristlecone Pine Deep Dive #trees #nature #naturelovers
For those who revere ancient trees, this episode is essential. Brian Smithers, research professor at Montana State University, unpacks the world of Bristlecone Pines—the oldest living singular organisms on Earth. As…
Back to the future Foliage clipping and wiring
Bjorn Bjorholm reworks the tree he styled in Japan A bonsai is never finished, over the years it will mature, perhaps even grow out of its original style. This is what happened with a juniper that Bjorn Bjorholm styled…
Miniature forest #bonsai #miniature #forest #woods #japanese #japan
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
Unusual Repotting Projects ‘25
A photo essay of notable repots this year, with comments. A Styrax air-layer ready to separate. The roots were getting tight in the small pot. And a new bonsai is born. Will pots up the baby in a training pot. This is…
Mastering Raffia for Bonsai: Essential Techniques for Big Bends
Learn how to properly apply raffia to protect and support branches during major bends. This stream covers essential techniques for working with different junipers, each requiring a unique approach to bending.…
Suiseki display by Shinji Suzuki
In this video Shinji Suzuki, a world renowned Bonsai master, talks about the display of Suiseki (viewing stones). This is a free lecture from the Suzuki Masterclass, so for free previews and the full curriculum, see:…
Bonsai Care App - explainer
If you are using the Bonsai Care App, or think about downloading it, make sure to watch this short video where we explain all its features! https://www.bonsaicare.app Chapters: 0:00 - Download the App and adding trees…
Bonsai beauty #trees #miniature #deciduous #fall #bonsaistyling #bonsaitreesforbeginners
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
How to make a Bonsai Bench
In this video Oscar shows how he made a bonsai bench, which is a bonus lecture from the Suzuki Masterclass - an online course all about Japanese Aesthetics and Garden Design:…
Visiting the GSBF Collection at The Huntington
Last weekend I had a fantastic visit to the GSBF Collection at The Huntington. I was in town for the Bonsai-A-Thon, the garden’s annual fundraiser, as a visiting artist sponsored by Joshua Roth (thanks, John and…
100% Pumice As Soil
For years I’ve been impressed with the bold root growth in boxes with collected yamadori, in 100% pumice. Trees as distinct as Pine and Maple have predictably strong root growth. Once I recall trying to stick a…
Bonsai from Christmas tree? #diy #christmastree #bonsai #christmas #bonsaitree
Watch how Oscar turns this Christmas tree into a 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…
Red Maple Bonsai #maples #bonsai #maple #acer #japanese
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
Reworking A Forest
This is a forest of Vine Maples, Acer circinatum , that came to the studio recently. Last week we took it apart and redesigned it. This forest has older plants with a few young ones. The age range has promise, but there…
Highlights from BABA and California Shohin Seminar
Two recent Northern California bonsai events – the Bay Area Bonsai Associates annual show and the California Shohin Seminar – featured some great trees. Here are some of the highlights along with comments about the…
From Christmas tree to Bonsai
Watch the progression of a 3ft (1m) Christmas tree into a Bonsai tree! This video covers about two years development, going from medium sized Christmas tree to a Bonsai in development. The Fir tree was repotted twice…
On the edge Creative genius, Ryan Neil, turns bonsai upside down part 2
You can give Ryan Neil almost any kind of material to work on and he will create something special from it. Here Ryan is confronted by an extremely chunky yew that appears to have only faults. Ryan's creative eye soon…