Mid-Michigan Bonsai Message Corner

The next MMBC Meeting is March 19th at the Foster Community Center, Room 109, at 6:30pm (gathering time) - 9:00pm. 

Defoliating a shohin Japanese maple

I started working on a shohin Japanese maple about a year and a half ago. Here’s what it looked like at the end of 2016.

An alternative approach to repotting trees in development

For young trees growing in colanders, a repot isn’t always necessary when the roots run out of space. Here’s an overview of an alternative approach in two photos.

2018 Gateway to Bonsai – exhibit highlights

The American Bonsai Society and the Bonsai Society of Greater St. Louis hosted Gateway to Bonsai this past weekend in Collinsville, Illinois. The event drew visitors from all over the country – and a few from outside the U.S. – who enjoyed a good selection of workshops, seminars, and demonstrations.

Thinning a red pine forest

In general, I treat red and black pines the same. This doesn’t, however, mean that the trees respond the same to the same work.

Protecting bonsai from hail damage

Here’s a topic I never planned to address – protecting bonsai from hail damage.

Catching up on black pine work in spring

Spring is typically a season for letting bonsai grow freely. For black pines, some of the main tasks include fertilizing and removing young pine cones.

You know it’s a good day when a bonsai display makes you do a double take.

Spring watering tips

Spring is my favorite time of year in the garden. It’s also a rather challenging season when it comes to watering.

Bonsai Development Series #6: Sacrifice branch basics

Few trees in my garden better demonstrate the use of sacrifice branches than the pine below.

Alternative approach to creating shohin pine bonsai

I’ve been following the same approach to creating pine bonsai for the past few years now. It’s time for a change!