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We left off with this Hemlock mid-stride, asking the question, what would you do?

Two years ago, I saw a large Yaupon holly available in the vendor’s area at the US National Bonsai Exhibition. I’m a big fan of the species but for some reason I didn’t think about taking it home at the time.

Due to an unexpected fallout of tonight’s livestream letting me teach for a full hour out in open space, without anybody watching, I will make a two-hour or more masterclass next Thursday. I am sorry to have wasted your time, and teaching for nobody because the outer end of the system seems to have failed. This is the risk of live streaming.

The Bonsai Society of Upstate New York celebrated their 50th anniversary by presenting a unique program to the members on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. The meeting was held in Buckland Lodge in Rochester, New York, where most of our members live, although we do have a good number of active members who regularly attend most meetings and support the organization from Buffalo, Syracuse and Ithaca, New York as well as Erie, Pennsylvania.

The annual colorful beauty of my deciduous bonsai came on schedule during the fourth week of October. The brilliant color peaked on October 25th and lasted for a couple of days. However, the show is not over yet. I still have 12 masterpiece Japanese & Trident maples which have changed color… yet.

There are many talented bonsai ceramists in Europe, and one of them is doing her magic up north in Sweden. I received a box of new pots I carefully chose from the website this week. It is always exciting to see them in real life. If your expectations are met. Both colours and the feeling of the size, how well the walls are built, and the glaze are all factors of importance.

Carmen Leskoviansky, my apprentice, took on the styling of this Hemlock.

Roughly a year from now, we’ll be opening the doors for a second Pacific Bonsai Expo. For those who plan to submitting trees to the event, there are a few things to start thinking about now.

Old bonsai get shaggy. The crowns round and loose clarity, the silhouette gets bloated and too big. They resemble a haircut 6 months overdue.

Autumn colours are waiting for us. Due to the unusually warm autumnal conditions, only a few trees are expected to show colourful leaves this season. A topic up at the Live Q&A and winter storage tips.