Oct 9 2012

Kanagawa Union Bonsai Exhibition Individual Trees

For those looking for a closer look at some of the trees and accents in yesterday’s post about the Kanagawa Exhibition, here you go 🙂

Oct 8 2012

Kanagawa Union Bonsai Exhibition – Japan

I have been admiring the shohin displays on one of the Japanese Blogs that I follow. I have been allowed to share these with you here. Taken at the Kanagawa Union Bonsai Exhibition. This is an amateur exhibition with trees from several clubs in the Kanagawa area.

Oct 7 2012

Dutch Club Exhibition Photos

Harry, my Dutch friend has shared some more photos with me.

These where taken at a club exhibition yesterday. It’s a relatively new club who are exhibiting their trees in order to attract some new members.

The group was initiated and is still facilitated by Johan van Frankenhuyzen, a bonsai-enthusiast from their local garden centre. Website . I’m told that he is the driving force behind the hobby group.

Bruno Wijman is the lead in their workshops through the world of bonsai art and techniques. This is his website.

Here are a few photos from the exhibition. If I get any links for more photos, I’ll update the post.

Sep 28 2012

Haw Hawthorn

The other tree that took a tumble in the wind on Tuesday was Brian’s Hawthorn. It was undamaged.

I took the dead leaves off for a better photo of the Haws.

Sep 27 2012

Trident Tumble

After two days of crappy weather, I ventured up to the back of the garden to see what state my trees were in. Heavy rain and high winds had been constant on Monday and Tuesday.

This is what I found. Two trees had been blown off a bench and one had smashed a pot. That’s the bad news, the good news is that they weren’t mine!!

Not really good news as I felt rather guilty as these trees and a few others are in my care for a few weeks while Brian is away on holiday.

A quick check of my pot stash and I found a suitable replacement for the Trident. I transferred it over but it will need a proper repot in the Spring. I actually prefer the new pot to the old one.

Sep 26 2012

But it’s Wednesday!

Some photos taken on my Sunday walk in Redburn Country Park overlooking Belfast Lough. Yes, it’s Wednesday. How could I be so slack in taking 3 days to post? Easy 🙂 I’m up to my neck in work, don’t be surprised if I even miss a daily post ❗ Like you’d even notice 😀

Here’s a panoramic from the top of the park overlooking the docks.

Only two walking partners on Sunday, Stephen, the Bonsai Baker, on the left and my much older brother Philip on the right 🙂 Don’t know if he looks at this much, but I guess I’ll find out !

I love spotting trees that inspire for bonsai and this park is full of them. Old beech trees can found everywhere and there’s also Pine, Larch, Rowan, Linden, Birch etc. This first one reminds me of the bank that the hobbits hid below in Lord of The Rings when being chased by Ring Wraiths!

This is like a Dr Who Baddie or some sort of giant octopus

This one is.. just darn pretty

The view overlooking Harland and Wolff Shipyard were the Titanic was built and launched.

Rowan berries in the process of getting stripped by the birds.

Interesting tree, hollow shari on this side but looks pretty whole until…

….you see the other side.

And here we return to the Lord of The Rings theme with Bilbo the Hobbit finding a new home.

My usual hunt for fungi

This is the usual sticker on dog waste bins…

But then some local vandals with a sense of humour decided to make a few alterations making it more of a Bullshit Bin 🙂

But this was the best of their efforts.

Sep 25 2012

Autumn Kicking In

Every day I see further signs of Autumn in my garden and among my bonsai. This is a shohin Spirea turning all shades of red.

Sep 24 2012

Deforestation

I’ve had these 3 Japanese Larch as a group for many year. Each tree is actually very nice on it’s own. I’ve got to the stage now were I have lost interest in the group. Rather than sell it, I’m going to take it apart and pot up the trees individually. At some point in the future, providing I can get similar quality larch, I may put it back together as a bigger group. As you can see, I have also allowed these free growth this year to give me a few extra options once they are potted up separately.

These are a few photos taken over the years showing this tree develope. Earliest is 1997. I think I have moved on to the extent that it doesn’t ‘float my boat’ any more. I still look back at these photos with fond memories.

Sep 23 2012

Free Growth Larch

This is a Larch that I have had for quite a few years SEE HERE.

I opted to allow it free growth this year to give me extra branch structure to work with during a total restyling planned for this Autumn.

I’m really looking forward to wiring this tree. I think that’s a first 🙂

Sep 19 2012

Flower Show Extras

I took a few more shots at the Autumn Flower Show on Sunday, as the last set seems to be of interest to many of you, here are some more.

A general shot of the main marquee

Bonsai

Not much point trying to photograph all the trees as the clutter backdrop ruins the tree.

Plenty of cacti at the show, sadly some kid ran her nail down a prize winning one ruining it forever as far as competitive showing goes. Sometimes I wonder why we bother going to all this hassle to display here.

Almost tree like

Sunlight was catching these blooms just right through the window.

Mega veg

Floral arrangements

Even wine, everything was at this show.

This will be my entry for the Belfast Parks Photographic Competition next year 🙂

And in the grounds, the Rose Garden

An old Yew. I was admiring the nebari and took a photo, I think the Mum in the background thought I was taking photos of her kids climbing the tree!! I thought she was going to call the police.