Oct 1 2014

Japanese Maple Airlayer…

… at the second attempt! I tried a layer on this tree in 2013 but it bridged the gap. I reopened it and made a bigger indent, and also changed away from moss to an akadama mix. This time we have success, but I’ll be leaving the separation until the Spring.

Sep 30 2014

End of an Era…….

… well 4 years at any rate.

As part of the NI Bonsai Society programme for the last four years we have had the pleasure of delivering the ‘Bonsai School’ 3 times a year for the last 4 years. This has been in partnership with Willowbog Bonsai and in particular, Peter Snart.

I’ve known Peter for over 15 years and in that time we have become firm friends. As I host the school sessions at my home, I have had Peter as a house guest 12 times since 2011 and this doesn’t count many other times in previous years. The favour has been returned when I have visited Willowbog Bonsai to attend shows and take part in workshops with people such as Ryan Neil, Peter Warren and Marco Invernizzi.

Peter has now called time on the school in it’s current format, I think mainly due to the fact that he’s fed up packing that bloody van!! 🙂

Bonsai for me is as much about friendship as wee trees and I’m delighted to have both Peter and Jean as friends. The school may be over but the friendship continues. I’m pretty sure he’ll be back at some point and I’m definitely sure I’ll be at Willowbog in the years to come, but in the meantime, thank you Peter.

There, gushing over lol

Sep 27 2014

Busy Day….

I played host to the Clubs Bonsai School Session today. All very enjoyable with good friends and bonsai learning at the top of the agenda. Just how many times can Ben photobomb!!

Youth to the right age to the left 🙂

Sep 23 2014

Sunday Walk

A few from Sundays Walk.

Sep 22 2014

Any Artists Reading this?

I don’t mean bonsai artists but I know many of the bonsai community are talented sketch artists in their own right. 🙂

I have a request; I’m looking to revamp my blog logo which is now well known and associated with ‘Bonsai eejit’.

I found this image online many years ago and despite my best efforts I have never been able to track down the original artist. I was keen to get my hands on a better quality copy of this but alas, all efforts have been fruitless.

I’m now looking to create a high quality version of this keeping the same comedic feel of the one above. I am not talented enough either as an artist or with computers to do this myself, so I’m appealing to anyone out there with the skills to give it a go. Full credit will be given here for any work or new designs created.

Over to you bonsai community, anyone fancy giving it ago?

Sep 21 2014

Old Fashioned Flower Show

On Saturday I had the pleasure of Judging the Bonsai classes at one of the few remaining old fashioned Flower Shows. Belfast Parks Autumn Fair has been up and down over the years but seems to be undergoing a bit of a revival this year both for the public, who were there on mass and also for bonsai. Our club had done a little bit of a push for members to exhibit this year and they responded with nearly 60 trees on display. It’s far from ideal for displaying bonsai but still serves a purpose to attract the public and recruit new members to the club. Here’s a few general shots of the show. Sorry I forgot my memory card for the camera and had to take these with the phone.

Sep 17 2014

Munster Weekend in Photos

Here’s our exploits from the weekend in photos. A great atmosphere for bonsai, fun but hard work getting done as well.

Crossing the Boyne in the dark

Misty morn

Catching up

Ray raw Pine

Kieran’s Juniper before

Piotr’s Juniper before

Work begins

Mark starting a wiring frenzy

wee doomed heed

clean clean clean

Kieran’s Juniper after

Piotr’s Juniper after, top to be removed in stages

Ray’s larch in for advice

camera shy

there he is

Another Ray Pine for work

Marks Pine after

Mark looking board

Motley crew

another Mark Pine

Piotr’s mame juniper

Ray’s Pine after

Kieran’s pine after

garden shot

Mark’s Gingko Autumn colour

Amazing dogs

Mark’s display

guard dog

Autumn

Cilling before the end

wired out…

good craic

That it, Piotr has left the building

Sep 16 2014

Image

Capel Manor Autumn Show

Sep 15 2014

Thanks Chaps

Just a quick thank you to the Munster Bonsai Club guys for a great weekend, it was special 🙂

Especial thanks to Mark and Valerie for putting us up for the weekend and to Piotr for organising everything. I’ll post more when I get a chance but for now you can just look at our ugly mugs.