The Way Bonsai People See the World

Tags

Bonsai, free, juniper, suburban, yamadori

I happened to pass a shopping center where they were tearing out all of the trees and shrubs from all the medians in the parking lot. My reaction to this really got me thinking about just how differently bonsai people see the world.

I guess this distinction was brought into focus when I ask someone working in one of the shops how long the work had been going on. When I suggested I might take one or more of the plants she looked at me like I was an alien.

This is why we prune.

Tags

advice, Bonsai, boxwood, buxus, how to, privet, prune, pruning, styling

Occasionally I witness a beautiful example of why we do what we do in bonsai. I’d like to share just such an example, highlighted by the plant itself.

August Ficus Work

A friend of mine shared that August 11 (an oddly specific date) is the “perfect time to repot ficus.” I’m not sure exactly where he got that info, but coupled with the familiar “hottest day of the year” advice, I will conclude that it is not too late to repot two small ficus I have been meaning to get to.

Both trees are very early in their development. The first is this Ficus microcarpa which I have dubbed “Captain Jack.”

Bonsai Watering: Another Perspective

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Bonsai, Michael James, museum, NVBS, water, watering

As an educator, I have always held a deep appreciation for a new or different perspective to understand an idea. I admit, when faced with a student who didn’t understand what was going on, I have repeated the exact same words I said a moment before (no doubt with more sarcasm than belongs in a classroom). I hope this was only at times when the student just wasn’t paying attention, because if the student didn’t understand something because of the way I explained it, they deserve an opportunity to hear it in a different way.

Virginia Pine Angle

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angle, Bonsai, design, pine, Virginia

In the spring of 2017 I collected the Virginia pine, Pinus virginiana, pictured multiple times, below. I love the bends and curves in the trunk but have, to date, focused on its health and recovery and have not decided how to take advantage of those curves to make a nice bonsai. It has been doing exceptionally well so I thought I would give some consideration to the future design starting with the planting angle.

The Hottest Day

Tags

benjamina, Bonsai, defoliate, ficus, pot, pots, prune, pruning, repot, styling, wiring

Have you heard the suggestion to “repot your ficus on the hottest day of the year”? Well, it was cooler today than the last few (only the low 90s F), but it was so brutally hot AND HUMID the last few days, I was not about to work in the garden.

Boxwood Bonsai Clean Up

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bench, Bonsai, boxwood, buxus, cut, leaf, plucking, prune, pruning, reduction

This shohin size boxwood has had plenty of time to harden off spring growth and gain strength and energy from those fresh leaves.

Can Bonsai Do Math?

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Bonsai, branching, decandle, decandling, jbp, pine, ramification

I don’t recommend asking your bonsai for help with your calculus homework, but if you treat them right, your pine branches sure can multiply!

Developing Deciduous Bonsai

Tags

Asymmetry, Bonsai, carpinus, Hornbeam, Mirai, prune, Vojtilla

Do you ever have those moments when you learn something new and want to run right out to the garden to apply it? I finally got around to listening to the Asymmetry podcast with Dennis Vojtilla. If you have deciduous bonsai you should give it a listen! Dennis is a deciduous genius and he shares several concrete tips in his interview with Ryan Neil of Bonsai Mirai. Listening made me realize I have several deciduous trees that are due to be cut back.

One Cut

Tags

Bonsai, boxwood, how to, NVBS, PBA, prune, pruning, styling

Meet Dr. Seuss. That’s what I named this little boxwood.