Mid-Michigan Bonsai Message Corner

January 2005 Meeting

6:30pm - 9:00pm, Foster Community Center, room 213 (NOTE:  Room change)

Photographing Bonsai - presented by Tim Priest

The Story Of David DeGroot’s Black Pine Raft

In typical David DeGroot humility, he says of his Japanese Black Pine raft, “Like many of my trees, it has gone through occasional work or restyling followed by long periods of neglect, so it is much younger in its development than its physical age would suggest.”

Bonus Images!

Omiya Bonsai Village

Omiya Bonsai Art Museum
Kyuka-en Bonsai Garden– Yukio Murata

Wire Weekend Wales

Thank you, Dragon Bonsai in Wales, for another great weekend. Boy, did we do a lot of trees over the weekend. Excellent company, food and people. I always feel very welcome – even when I suggest a branch to be removed Only time for a few snapshots from this event.

A Quick Visit To Fuyo-en Bonsai Garden–Takeyama

Since I got on the wrong plane and I ended up in Tokyo, I thought real hard (yea) how to take advantage of a surprise short visit to Japan. This visit was not as short as my February trip, but I was able to walk.

What Does Spruce Pinching Do?

Spruce bonsai are beautiful at any time of year, but in the spring they brighten with masses of light green buds. Here is an Engelmann Spruce that illustrates why we pinch these buds in spring.

BCI Regional Penjing & Stone Convention in China

The 2025 BCI (Fengyan, China) Stone Appreciation Exhibition and 3rd Anhui Province Fine Penjing Invitational Exhibition is being held on April 24-25, 2025 in Fengyan, China. Having been credited with the concept of training dwarfed potted trees, China introduced the art to the world. The Japanese quickly adapted this art form and developed the art of bonsai using Japanese aesthetics and taste.

Bonsai in Wales coming up – Q&A Live Thursday coming up

Spring is running fast forward, and it looks like the bonsai will receive some warmth and sunny weather the next week. This speed up the growth and the need of paying attention on watering. If a tree lacks water or is overwatered it can damage the roots and set the tree back in development. Therefore water is extremely important to master, so the trees get the optimal conditions. Water is as important for the tree as the right amount of light. Neglecting watering the trees individually, taking into account the soil, the weather or the exact species will risk slowing down the growth and in worse cases risk the life of the tree.

Early Spring at The International Bonsai Arboretum

APRIL 16, 2025!!