nuovo tavolo per shohin

 prove di allestimento

It’s great to see trees burst into life !

I am still making various quality tests with my new studio set up, here is my Hawthorn Raft today just coming into leaf, I am really excited too because for the first time in 26 years there are flower buds on the tree. So expect a flowering raft in the next few weeks! Select the photo to see full size!

Today the two Bonsai clubs in Southern Ireland came together for there first ever Bonsai exhibition and for me it was a real treat. If you think of it the Munster Bonsai Club is only 16 months old and our Leinster Bonsai Club is a mere 10 months old and if I do say so my self we’re doing ok. We still have mountains to climb to be at any outstanding level but everybody starts somewhere 🙂

Not a bad place to start 🙂

Cow Shed ????

On with the Prep work…

THE TREES

Putting the trees into their place for the day is not as easy as it looks and it did take a few goes before it all came together. There is so much involved in exhibition, Tree, Accents, Scroll, Spacing, What tree to put next to this tree or that tree, it really is an art in itself. As this is our first…

After clearing my decked area, the BBQ that we never used, I made a few small tables . These are to help spread out my trees, and to make better use of this space.

Now with trees. Sorry about the sun in this photo !

~ Flaunt your best ~ As of April 1 the Artisans Cup bonsai exhibition is accepting submissions. The deadline for your entries is June 1! For submission you’ll need:

• Four photos of each submitted bonsai
• A brief essay of your display decisions
• Pot information
• Accent information

For full details about your submissions including where to send them, please go to The Artisans Cup. Again, your deadline for your entries is June 1. Submissions received after that will be tragically ignored. Don’t do this to your bonsai. They’re counting on you ~

Three special bonsai will be selected during the exhibition by the judges for the top prizes. First prize ($10,000), second prize ($5,000), third prize ($3,000). There will also be a People’s Choice Award and an award for the Best Companion Planting.

Be a part of the movement to bring bonsai center stage in America. Personally I’m really curious…

Several have asked to see a photo recap of this chunky Burning Bush, Euonymus alatus. We (my students and I) started the process of turning this vigorous stump of a shrub into a bonsai in 2012.

The fella who collected this Burning Bush said that it was growing by the side of a pond where nutria (a large rodent that eats euonymous) would graze on them. This one still has the shari from those gnawing nutria.

Although this tree is still many years away from ‘show shape’, maybe 10 years, here’s its 3rd-year progress report…

(And while I have your attention…submissions to the Artisans Cup will begin April 1. Also that day, incidentally, is the final day (extended deadline) for the National Pot Competition, so you potters out there have another few hours to get your best efforts together. Good luck everyone! It’s an exciting year in bonsai.)