Mid-Michigan Bonsai Message Corner

Our first meeting of 2026 on January 15th, 2026 at 7pm - 9pm (gathering at 6:30pm for socializing) at the Foster Community Center, Room 211

Mark Takagishi, will be providing a presentation to the club on his recent travels to Japan. Mark will be presenting on many bonsai and bonsai-related topics from Japanese landscape gardens to Niwaki. Mark and his family also made their way to the remote island of Yakushima where 1000+ year old Cryptomeria (Japanese cedars) are found.  Yakushima is a UNESCO World Heritage location.  

 

2025 New Years Photo Reel

In the past I’ve called this annual “blooper” reel. Fewer of these 2024 shots seem like authentic bloopers, but there are still plenty of bats, toothy fungus grins, and odd sugary drinks to keep you wondering. I do.

Refining a field-grown cork bark elm

A couple of years ago, I came across a great batch of cork bark elms at Lone Pine Gardens. It had been a while since I’d owned one, so I picked out my favorite and brought it home.

Developing A Scots Pine Bonsai– part 1

I came across a few of these photos from a “memory” which popped up on my Facebook page, and thought I’d update the development of this Scots pine from a Xmas tree farm in Pennsylvania. Of course, I’ll add a lot more information in Part 2, but I’m busy finishing the anticipated 2023 US National Bonsai Exhibition Album.

Understanding Your Bonsai

As the year runs out, here is a possible bonsai promise to yourself for 2025. Learn to observe and understand your bonsai.

The Physics Of Bonsai Transport

I am the last person to write about physics. In high school I recall a particularly excruciating segment on optics, which left me cross-eyed. I have, however, seen a lot of crunched trees in cars and have a suggestion or two on how to get them from point A to point B without damage.

The bonsai year soon ends and then a new beginning

Bonsai have filled a lot this year as it has done for several years. A lot of friends around the world make the world small and comforting in these challenging times in my part of the world. Denmark is still as safe a country as it can be, but we feel the same as we did when I was a kid when the Cold War was around. Luckily bonsai knows nothing about all of this and that is a comfort.

Developing red maple bonsai

I’ve had a lot of fun working with red maples, also known as swamp maples, over the past few years.

Extreme Pruning-

In bonsai, “pruning” is a catch-all word that covers several related plant actions.

Welcome back to our series on Juniper design and styling! In the first episode, I focused on the intricate and essential task of working on the deadwood. Now, in part two, we will build upon that foundation by arranging the branches and foliage to enhance the overall aesthetic and health of our Juniper bonsai.

Juniper bonsai, design and deadwood

Dear Bonsai Enthusiasts.
Now the latest video from our Members series, focusing on the intricate art of creating deadwood in Juniper bonsai is ready to watch. This two-part series delves into both the aesthetic and technical aspects of this fascinating technique.