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Right flow Japanese Maple. In display the accent piece would be to the right. Luis Vallejo Bonsai Museum, Spain.

Earlier this month I made a trip to Georgia to participate in the Atlanta Bonsai Society’s annual show. Held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the two-day event featured vendors, critiques, a workshop, (fantastic food), and an exhibit in which every member is encouraged to participate.

Advanced Open Workshops are now beginning at the International Bonsai Arboretum, Rochester, New York, conducted by William N. Valavanis. The Introductory Bonsai Course will soon begin on the four Monday evenings in April.

The latest online course from Bonsai Empire continues its series with Mr. Masahiko Kimura. The 4.5 hour series of video lectures covers the styling of a huge Japanese Black Pine and the detailing of a Hinoki Cypress for the Kokufu Show.

Remember that guideline to avoid pigeon breasts? A strong movement of part of the trunk toward the viewer?

After visiting the Bonsai Collection at the Huntington, I carved out time to visit the adjacent Chinese Garden. It was an eye-opening experience!

A photo essay of notable repots this year, with comments.

Last weekend I had a fantastic visit to the GSBF Collection at The Huntington. I was in town for the Bonsai-A-Thon, the garden’s annual fundraiser, as a visiting artist sponsored by Joshua Roth (thanks, John and Michelle!).

For years I’ve been impressed with the bold root growth in boxes with collected yamadori, in 100% pumice. Trees as distinct as Pine and Maple have predictably strong root growth.

This is a forest of Vine Maples, Acer circinatum, that came to the studio recently. Last week we took it apart and redesigned it.