Bonsai tree: Hawthorn raft

After 5 years work on the branches it finally begins have some ramification. Read more!

Bonsai tree: Tropical bonsai at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum

Source: Bonsai Tonight
Tropical bonsai at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum

The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington D.C. contains a number of bonsai that need far more warmth and humidity than D.C. winters can provide. They are housed in a greenhouse at the museum where they are currently thriving despite the impending cold weather. I’ve included photos of several below along with a few trees from the North American and Chinese Collections.

As before, the photos are presented in order of number of years in training, beginning with the longest in training. The banyan below has been in training since 1906.

Ficus microcarpa – Chinese Banyan. In training since 1906. Donated by Shu-ying Lui. Chinese Collection.

Crataegus laevigata – English Hawthorn. In training since 1953. Donated by Bertram F. Bruenner. North American Collection.

Bougainvillea glabra – Bougainvillea. In training since 1969. Donated by James J. Smith. North American Collection.

Ficus microcarpa ‘Retusa’ – Chinese Banyan. In training since 1971. Donated by Mike Uyeno. North American Collection.

Schinus terebinthifolius – Christmas Berry. In training since 1973. Donated by Edward Nakanishi. North American Collection.

Conocarpus erectus – Buttonwood. In training since 1975. Donated by Mary Madison. North American Collection.

Acer buergerianum – Trident Maple. Donated by Stanley Chinn. Chinese Collection.

Acer buergerianum – Trident Maple. Donated by Michael Levin.

There were a number of signs that fall was upon us around the garden. Banana foliage in the Chinese Pavilion had recently been hit by frost. Elsewhere, fall colors filled the museum.

Garden at the Chinese Pavilion.

Japanese Laceleaf Maple – beautiful fall color.

Japanese Laceleaf Maple.

I’d like to thank Jack, Aarin, and the many volunteers that maintain these trees for our benefit. It’s an outstanding collection and I appreciate all of the effort that goes into its maintenance. Thanks!

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Bonsai tree: Sacramento Bonsai Club – 64th Annual Show

The Sacramento Bonsai Club held their 64th annual show this past weekend at the Sacramento Buddhist Church. The event left quite an impression. The exhibit showed how fun a spring show can be. The suiseki displays were a super addition to the show. And the 40 or so happi-coated club members were one of the nicest bonsai groups I’ve run into. Sacramento Bonsai Club is doing great after 64 years.
Boon Manakitivipart provided demonstrations both days and the event was well-attended. As the Sunday demonstration cleared most of the exhibit, I had a chance to to take some pictures.
The juniper below is one of two Members’ Choice Award winners at the show.

Members’ Choice Award – Juniper

The trident maple bonsai display below is a good example of some of the well-thought out displays. I like the addition of the pale-blue – almost Kokufu-felt blue – screen behind the display. It’s a nice way to highlight the relationships among display elements and it does a good job of obscuring the backdro support.

Trident maple

A number of trees were in full-bloom for the show. The satsuki azalea below was the brightest.

Satsuki azalea

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Bonsai tree: More Flowering Bonsai

 
An informal upright English hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha). When it comes to flowering trees, Japanese bonsai artists often look at how the design of the tree shows off the flowers, rather than looking for how the tree conforms to classical bonsai styles. In other words, this tree, without it showy display of flowers is nothing special. With its flowers though, it lights up and becomes a thing of great beauty.

This flowering azalea would stand as an excellent bonsai even without its flowers. With it showy display of white blossoms it becomes and even more excellent.

Source: Bonsai Bark Read more!