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More highlights from REBS’ 31st annual show
The Redwood Empire Bonsai Society’s annual show is big. The sheer size of the event provides ample opportunities to criss-cross the hall, appreciating the work that went into each of the trees on...
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Small bonsai and accents
After reviewing my photos of smaller trees and accents at Redwood Empire Bonsai Society’s 31st annual show, I’m reminded how easy it is to overlook smaller trees in a room full of large bonsai. These...
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Looking inside
For those of you who weren’t able to visit REBS’ recent show, here’s a peak at some familiar trees from different angles. Under the canopy of a white pine White pine grafted on black pine Grafted white...
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A visit to Deer Meadow Bonsai
If you get the chance to visit Deer Meadow Bonsai, go. Deer Meadow Bonsai Deer Meadow Bonsai is located an hour and a half north of San Francisco, just outside the charming town of Occidental (try...
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Developing bonsai at Deer Meadow
How, one might ask, does Jim Gremel produce so many great trees, all while maintaining a busy teaching schedule? The answer: Valentín Cruz, aka “Bali” Bali, as he is commonly known, loves bonsai. He...
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Yaupon holly refinement
Once or twice a year, my Yaupon holly gets a haircut. I cut back to the silhouette, remove branches that are growing up down and thin branches in crowded areas. The work is fun and the result is...
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Fall is for fertilizer
A few weeks ago I was struck by yellow foliage on a number of my young pines. After thinking about it for a moment, I came to the conclusion that I hadn’t been fertilizing enough. Black pines in...
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Dwarf Sawara cypress cutback
I’m now one year into a project to develop a dwarf Sawara cypress bonsai from nursery material. Last year I reduced the silhouette and repotted. Am doing the same this year. Dwarf Sawara cypress I...
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White pine clean-up
Fall is a good time to work on white pine. The spring growth has hardened off, and the old needles are beginning to turn brown. White pine in need of clean up As the specimen pictured above was in need...
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Some wonderful trees
I had the good fortune to see the trees below on exhibit last month. Where were they on display? Trident maple Schillings Holly Bougainvillea Eastern white cedar Little hip hawthorn Japanese black pine...
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Highlights from the 4th US National Bonsai Exhibition
At long last, I made it to a US National Bonsai Exhibition last month. The exhibit is held every other year in Rochester, NY, home to William N. Valavanis, the driving force behind the event. I wish I...
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The people you meet at the US National Bonsai Exhibition
It would be difficult to visit the US National Bonsai Exhibition without bumping into, or at least spotting, the man who made it all happen, William N. Valavanis. William N. Valavanis Valavanis’...
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Shohin bonsai at the 4th US National Bonsai Exhibition
Shohin bonsai were well represented at the 4th US National Bonsai Exhibition. Black pine In all, 120 shohin appeared in 40 displays. Shimpaku Trident maple To fully appreciate these trees as they were...
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Yusen display at the US National Bonsai Exhibition
A very special small-sized bonsai display at the 4th US National Bonsai Exhibition featured the work of Tsukinowa Yusen. Yusen pots are precious – a display comprised solely of trees in Yusen pots is a...
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Suiseki at the 4th US National Bonsai Exhibition
This year’s US National Bonsai Exhibition included a special treat for suiseki enthusiasts – the Invitational Suiseki Exhibition. Fifty stones from around the world were displayed with accents and...
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The International Bonsai Arboretum
When I was in Rochester, NY, for the 4th US National Bonsai Exhibition, I made sure to visit the best known bonsai garden in the area – the International Bonsai Arboretum, home of the Valavanis Bonsai...
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More from the International Bonsai Arboretum
One of the first trees you spot at William N. Valavanis’ International Bonsai Arboretum is a wisteria planted unconventionally in an unconventional pot. Wisteria in Tokoname bucket Beyond it reside...
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Decandling – how late is too late?
Getting the timing right when decandling is as much art as science – or so it can seem. While it can be tough to determine the ideal time to decandle a tree upfront, in hindsight it’s usually pretty...
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GSBF 37th Convention – Deciduous trees on exhibit
Last week the Golden State Bonsai Federation hosted its 37th Convention in Sacramento, California – Bonsai Visions of the West. Headliners included Peter Tea, Kathy Shaner and David De Groot. The event...
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GSBF 37th Convention – conifers
The Golden State Bonsai Federation’s exhibit at its 37th convention included a great mix of conifers, particularly the pines and junipers. Sierra juniper Taiwan juniper Black pine Great trunk and roots...
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