Bonsai tree: America’s Oldest Bonsai Collection

Two trees from one at The Larz Anderson Collection. I borrowed this image from Colin Lewis’ Bonsai Art website in the Larz Anderson section. Here’s what Colin has to say about this photo: Known as “Mother and daughter,” these two trees were originally one, until a lower branch, with its own set of roots, became separated from the main trunk in 1969.
Read more!

Bonsai tree: Prune or Wire? How About Both?

The instructions are geared for beginning bonsai enthusiasts.
You can grow decent bonsai without wiring. However, I know of no bonsai that doesn’t require some pruning. If just pruning without wiring works to achieve a desirable effect, then just prune. Trunks and branches that grow without wiring tend to look more natural.
Not all trunks and branches that grow on their own look good. In the top drawing above, the branches are too straight and uninteresting, so wiring is appropriate. Most bonsai artist use wire. Some use it a lot, some more sparingly.

Source: Bonsai Bark Read more!

Bonsai tree: Case study: balance

Balance is one of my favorite topics for bonsai discussions. The term can be used broadly – I recently mentioned a few of the possibilities in relation to trees exhibited this year by the Bay Area Bonsai Associates.
One of the more primary considerations is whether a tree points left or right. Getting direction right has a big effect on a tree’s overall balance and is key to setting up formal displays. Just this week I’ve had several discussions about the direction of the tree below. It’s a Japanese black pine.

Black pine silhouette

It’s a great case study. Looking at it brings up a number of questions for me.

• Does the tree point left or right?
• What makes you think so?
• Does the tree have good balance?
• Would the tree look better if it pointed the other direction?
• Are there areas for improvement?

I’m curious to hear what you think about it: feel free to share your ideas – even if it’s your tree! Read more!

Bonsai tree: Bonsai tattoo

A little over the top? Cool body art? Gross? Interesting? Not? Whatever you or I might think, tattoos are everywhere these days. BTW: I enjoy good body art but I’m not sure about this one which turned up on my facebook home page.
Exactly one year ago today, we featured our first bon-tat post. Auspiciously this one just popped up on facebook. Are you ready for yours? When you are and you do it, please send us a photo and we’ll make you famous.


Here’s another one I found by following the facebook link. I’m not sure about this one either. Any thoughts?

Source: Bonsai Bark Read more!

Bonsai tree: CBS Bonsai Segment

Last Sunday CBS ran a segment on bonsai. It was shot in two places: The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington DC and at Felix Laughlin’s farm in Virginia.
“If you do it right it will always look better the next year.” This happy truth was uttered by Felix Laughlin - President of the National Bonsai Foundation. You can find this here and a range of other statements and some excellent footage of some great trees and more at the National Bonsai Foundation’s website.
Read more!

Bonsai tree: Another Budi, Another Pemphis

Pemphis acidula by Budiman Darmansjah. Here’s Budiman’s reply when I asked him if I could use it: “You can use it as you want. It is Pemphis acidula, grow on limestone rock at seaside. I collected this tree in 2000. Length of trunk is 105 cm.” (105 cm = 41 inches)
Just yesterday we posted a Pemphis acidula by Budi Sulistyo, a well known Indonesian bonsai artist and author of Tropical Bonsai Gallery. Now we have another Pemphis by another Budi. Though it may not be quite as eye-popping as yesterday’s, still, it’s a good tree with lots of character, that, at a glance, might be mistake for a shore juniper (Juniperus procumbens).

Another powerful bonsai by Budiman. Anyone know what it is?

Source: Bonsai Bark Read more!

Bonsai tree: Say Goodbye to an Old Classic

Almost gone. Our classic Pine book is down to less than 40 copies. We originally printed 5,200, so it’s been a pretty good run.

While it lasts we request that you limit yourself to one per person. Thanks.

At this point, we have no plans to reprint, though in a year or two, we could change our minds.

Another classic. While we are at it, here’s another worthy classic. We’re not about to run out yet, but it’s a great book and it’s on special at Stone Lantern now.

Source: Bonsai Bark

Read more!

Bonsai tree: Budi’s Stupendous Bonsai

Stupendous is a good start in the search for words to describe this old full cascade Pemphis acidula by Budi Sulistyo. Ahh, to live in the tropics where stuff like this grows everywhere.
If you’d like to impress your friends, you can buy Budi’s excellent Tropical Bonsai Gallery book, cut out the pictures and frame them, and tell everyone the bonsai are yours and that the reason you don’t have them anymore is they were blown away in a hurricane, but, thank goodness, you still have the photos.

Budi’s book.


Another sweet tree from Budi’s album. I don’t know what it is, but I like it and the way it is presented.

Budi with his monster.

Source: Bonsai Bark Read more!

Bonsai tree: Felix Laughlin’s Photos from Japan

Rarely so red. You don’t see too many Junipers in red pots. For that matter you don’t see that many bonsai in red pots. It’s a tough color to work with, especially when it’s this bright. And no, the juniper isn’t dead; it just has a strong case of winter color. It resides at Mr. Daizo Iwasaki’s Takasago-an.
Read more!

Bonsai tree: Fifty Years of Bonsai By the Bay

A note from Lawrence LeClaire (BSSF President)

May 22 & 23, 2010 – Bonsai Society of San Francisco 50th Anniversary Celebration and Show at the County Fair Building.
The Bonsai Society of San Francisco will be holding their 50th anniversary celebration at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park on Saturday, May 22 from 5PM-10PM. The night’s events will feature cocktails from 5-6PM, a catered buffet dinner from 6PM-7PM, and a bonsai demonstration by Kathey Shaner, curator of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt from 7:30PM-10PM. The demonstration material is an old Japanese white pine and will be raffled at the end of the demonstration. We will have an additional special raffle of quality bonsai trees and related material at the celebration as well. A BSSF member bonsai sales area will be open to our guests for the entire evening. We invite members of the bonsai community to attend. Please RSVP at (415)621-0935 or email at RSVP(at) bssf.org by May 15, 2010. Please include your name and number of guests that will attend.
On Sunday, May 23 our bonsai display will be free and open to the public. The show will feature 20 Tokonoma displays, bonsai displays, bonsai demonstrations, hourly bonsai raffles, a bonsai clinic, and a giant club sales area. Visit the BSSF website for information and updates.


Source: Bonsai Bark Read more!