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.
Flat-top Bald Cypress Bonsai – Starting A New Specimen
Evaluating vigor of trident maples in spring
Before I prune on my deciduous bonsai in spring, I check to see if they’re up for the work. Here’s a trident maple at the end of March. Trident maple – March 30th Although the leaves are healthy, they are pale green and…
Portrait Time – Hawthorn, Oak, Elm
Removing large leaves on a red maple forest
My red maple forest has filled in nicely this spring – so much so that some of the interior leaves are already turning yellow. Acer rubrum, Red maple Weak interior leaf To let more light into the tree’s interior, I…
The Four Seasons Of Rochester, New York
SONY DSC Contrary to popular belief, Rochester, New York, has more than the two seasons of snow and construction. We do actually have four distinct seasons, and very often can “enjoy” two seasons a couple of days apart.…
Coming Attractions – American Elm And Live Oak
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…
@EddyRhead @AndyRileyish I haven’t heard that
@EddyRhead @AndyRileyish I haven’t heard that word for years!!
@kevcecil @AndyRileyish @EddyRhead That’s
@kevcecil @AndyRileyish @EddyRhead That’s wonderful to hear Kevin. It felt like the right thing for us to do for his family.
@AndyRileyish @EddyRhead Oh god yeah! My last card
@AndyRileyish @EddyRhead Oh god yeah! My last card has been next to my workbench in the garden all winter. *bit curly now
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…
@jojubs Which did you have? I’m booked in for
@jojubs Which did you have? I’m booked in for heavy-smokers Saturday
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…