More pix, fewer words. Here is the message: it’s important to work the roots on trees as they’re being developed in the ground. They’re going to grow, so it’s important to have them arranged properly first, so when they do grow, they grow in a way that we appreciate for bonsai.
First:

Second…we’ll discuss this one again later this summer:

Third:

There’s that Milli Vanilli cd!

Back in the ground, cd and all. If it doesn’t grow, blame it on the rain.
Thanks for reading. Next week we’ll talk azalea flowers!

Although bonsai is a visual art, there is more to this art than meets the eye. Of course the beauty of bonsai is of paramount importance and is commonly determined by the trunk, branches, silhouette, container, season, antiquity of youthfulness and the total aesthetic impact. However, it is important to consider other factors, which are not immediately visible to those with limited experience and exposure to the art. Most bonsai hobbyists, and professionals as well, do not have the background to fully understand the hidden beauty that lies within the bonsai and only consider what their eyes first see when viewing a bonsai.

Japanese flowering apricot in full bloom delights the eye and the old rugged trunk is matched and is respected by the careful selection of the antique chinese container

Although this antique Chinese container is not planted with a bonsai, it was displayed in the 2013 Taikan…

Although the temperature is still cold and snow piles remain, some deciduous bonsai need repotting because the buds are now beginning to open. These bonsai have been overwintered in the garage. My son Chris has been working on several cars and turned the kerosene heaters up a little to make it more comfortable than the 27F temperature I’ve been maintaining. So… many deciduous bonsai woke up a bit early this year.

Usually we transplant the deciduous species first, followed by the narrow leaf evergreens and finally the broadleaf evergreens. Additionally, I “try” to repot bonsai which are pot bound and difficult to water during the summer. Some of those bonsai have strong roots and the root pressure splits containers. Also the roots of pot bound trees often raise the soil level up higher than normal. All I need to do is to remember which trees drained slowly. I do not…