Join us at the exciting US National Bonsai Exhibition on September 13-14, 2014 in Rochester, New York. The Award Banquet & Benefit Auction are one of the highlights of the weekend where $6,500 will be presented to the finest bonsai selected by our three international judges: Hiro Yamaji from Japan, Peter Warren from England and David Easterbrook from Canada.

Bonsai fellowship abounds with visitors, exhibitors and vendors all enjoying a delicious meal awaiting the award presentations.

The following awards will be presented:

The National Award

Finest Bonsai Masterpiece

$1,000

Evergreen Bonsai Award

Finest Evergreen Bonsai

$500

Deciduous Bonsai Award

Finest Deciduous Bonsai

$500 Lang Bonsai Container Certificate

Yoshimura Award

Finest Classical Bonsai

$500

Bonsai Travel Award

Finest Bonsai & Companion Plant Combination

$500

Nippon Bonsai Association Award

Finest Japanese Style Display

Ho Yoku Award

Finest Innovative Bonsai Design

$500

Custom Oriental Woodcraft Award

I suppose that title needs a bit of explaining. About 4 1/2 years ago I grafted this Rocky Mountain Juniper (collected by Randy Knight) with some curious shimpaku foliage that I took a shine to. The shimpaku foliage was a bit coarser than we see normally, and I thought it would look good on a tree with a rugged, expressive character.

So that’s the backdrop for the Day of Yikes…

When a tree is grafted with an entirely different foliage type, some day, eventually, the original foliage needs to be cut off. Although with a bit of practice there’s little worry, really, it is still a bit exciting to finally (after years of waiting) yell out ‘Yikes!’ as you make that final pruning cut.

The tree did fine.

And this summer Bobby rewired it for the second time. The following is a series of photos from the last two years…

The 37^th Midwest Bonsai Exhibit is being held at the Chicago Botanic Garden on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 15-17, 2014. Many beautiful bonsai are on display from local members and other bonsai hobbyists from several states. About 15 vendors are selling their trees, containers and other items as well. Enjoy the photos!

Rough Bark Japanese Maple by Matt Berenberg received the Best of Show Award

RAF Dwarf Scots Pine by Wm. N. Valavanis received the 1st Place Award in the Professional Division

Have you ever wanted to explore the bonsai and Japanese garden world of Japan in a small limited group? Well, here is your opportunity. In November Kora Dalager, travel agent and bonsai instructor from California and I will be leading another one of our popular bonsai tours to Japan. Bonsai gardens and studios of some of the finest bonsai artists in Japan will be privately visited.