Nov 23 2012

Wind Damage!!

After a crap night’s sleep on Thursday night listening to a pretty bad storm blattering my bedroom window I awoke and went to work. On my return home I thought I better have a check around the trees.

Not good!!

My big Scot’s Pine took a dive off the bench and travelled a good few feet before hitting the ground smashing the lovely Ian Ballie pot 😦 I also lost a few minor branches which I can live with. This is the tree that I was going to use for my workshop with Ryan Neil in January.

On the way down it took a Japanese Black Pine and a Cotoneaster with it. No broken pots but the Cotoneaster has a partially broken branch that I’ve patched up in the hope that it will recover.

I used some sealer and then a wrap around of self amalgamating tape to keep the wound from drying out.

This other Scottie in training also took a tumble. The wind must have had some serious gusts to shift this one from were it was sitting!! Only in a wash hand basin thank goodness!

Lesson learned!!

Nov 20 2012

Bonsai Workshop Sunday

A few more shots from the weekend, this time it’s the workshop on the Sunday. I haven’t been able to alter the photos with photoshop to improve the indoor shots but at least these will give you a feel for the day. Some shots of a few trees in the workshop before and after. For some of the participants, this was their first workshop.

Nov 19 2012

Bonsai School Saturday

It’s been hard to post this week! Between my computer deciding that it no longer wants to talk to anything via usb, including my camera, and my hosting of a club event, I have been frustrated.

So, here I sit on my laptop, which I hate using, trying to add some photos for your viewing. Only a few snaps from the school, plenty of video recorded but I’m unable to transfer it at the moment. Here are some shots of my garage and driveway full of club folk soaking up the bonsai vibe. Peter Snart is also captured in full flow, and dear love him he struggled through two days with a nasty cough and splutter.

Nov 13 2012

Black Pine Pot Virtuals

OK, One more tree for pot options 🙂

This is it with it’s new potting angle.

Back into the same pot

or?

or even?

Nov 12 2012

Alcobendas 2012

I haven’t shown any of my favourite blogs in a while. I used to share interesting posts here from time to time.

As most of you know, I follow other bonsai blogs with a passion and I like to return the favour of a share or listing.

I was impressed with this one today on Jose Luis Sanchez blog, Mi Pasion por el Bonsai, showing some great photography of great bonsai at the recent Alcobendas 2012 in Spain.

Here’s an example:

and here’s a link ALCOBENDAS 2012

Also a few other links to photos taken at the same Exhibition.

http://rgomarcopolo.blogspot.pt

http://cyd-cyd.blogspot.pt

http://www.lolibonsai.com

http://eltimbonsai.blogspot.pt/

Bonsai is strong in Spain!! Enjoy.

Nov 12 2012

Yesterday’s Walk in the Woods

A few snaps from yesterday’s walk in the woods with Stephen. It was a last minute decision to walk as I usually head to the cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

Just myself and the Bonsai Baker taking in the views from Scrabo Hill on my local walk. Beech well into Autumn and a few Fungi knocking about as well. Even spotted a field with nearly 200 Swans at rest at the side of the lough. Too far for a photo but good through the binos 🙂

Nov 11 2012

Aside

Again sharing these from Yumiko’s Bonsai Days Blog.

Here is Yumiko’s introduction to the images.

Kubote engei (nursery) is situated in Buzen city of Fukuoka prefecture, they had held their 35th anniversary bonsai exhibition on 25th to 27th October. Most of trees were exhibited at Kokufu-ten in the past and some are even registered as Kityo-bonsai (precious bonsai…kind of best of best ) by Japan Bonsai Association.

The owner of the nursery, Mr.Oza had gathered these treasure trees from here and there. I could imagine his effort and hardness.
At the venue, I asked a staff with hesitating if I could take photos because as you know many big shows in Japan are forbidden to take them. But he easily answered “Certainly yes”. That is a good point of local exhibitions. All photos I took are Kokufu trees. Here we go.