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The smallest bonsai is categorized as Shohin bonsai and a subcategory is Mame (bean) bonsai, only measuring up to 10 cm / 4 Inches.

Wisteria creates an outstanding splash of color in the spring garden with their sweet fragrance, especially when trained for bonsai. The autumn season brings a clear yellow foliage display. There are two main species commonly trained for bonsai, the Chinese and Japanese. In North America, the Chinese wisteria is the most popular. The primary differences between the Chinese and Japanese wisteria are the flowers, foliage and growth habit. There are over 100 different Wisteria cultivars selected for flower size, shape, color and fragrances. Some have been chosen for variegated leaves and different growth habits.

The summer is here in a moment. Although the calendar mentions spring as the official season now the weather says summer, which influences the growth of the bonsai.

Years ago in the bonsai garden I put up what I thought was the best guess for shade cloth: 30%, meaning, 70% of the light passed through. After several years it was apparent that was not enough, and we switched it with 40%. Since then, in another area, we have put up 50%. 

One of my friends who is not a bonsai man is in Japan to visit family who stay there for a period to study. He always sends me pictures when he stumbles upon bonsai wherever he is. This time Preben and his wife Kirsten ran into a small exhibition and an old man selling bonsai.

Passing on here a study of wound closure from the 1970’s by one of the great arboriculturists, Alex Shigo. I wish to thank local arborist Rick Till for bringing it to my attention. 

Two years ago, I picked up a field-grown Korean hornbeam salvaged from the fire that struck Telperion Farms in 2020. The tree had a fun trunk but there was room to improve the roots so I started an air-layer.

The spring weather has finally arrived (and hopefully will persist) and the maples and other flowering specimens are in their glorious spring brilliance. 

Techniques and caretaking are equally important parts of any workshop, but I try not to pressure certain styles or ways of designing a bonsai onto the participants. Instead, I try to set up possible options and aesthetic considerations and let the student make the final decision.

Guest post by Carmen Leskoviansky 
My second visit to Crataegus bonsai was in the spring of 2018 for the spring Seasonal. It was a glorious day in late May, and after some tea and rousing conversation around the dining table, I headed outside with my compatriots to get to work.