Coltsfoot Accent

Nothing like a sunny day to get the most out of this Coltsfoot accent.

Mansei-en

A few more from Owen. These were taken at Mansei-en in Omiya, Japan. Some very famous bonsai

It’s great that Owen is liberal with the photos and information he is getting in Japan, as he says, ‘it’s all in a good cause’. Bonsai friendship plays a big part too, just as when Harry offered his photos from Noelanders Trophy back in January. The same goes for me, if anyone wants to use my images for pleasure or educational purposes, I’m happy to oblige. I just don’t want to see them appear on ebay being use to advertise bonsai seeds for commercial gain!!

Ume or Yumie?

More photos from Owen taken on his visit to a Traditional Japanese Restaurant and Tea House where many Ume or Japanese Flowering Plum were on display. I have a real soft spot for flowering bonsai and this is just special. Food looks great too, Yumie 🙂

Signs of Spring

Plenty of my trees are starting to show signs of Spring.

Hawthorn

Larch

Jasmine

Hornbeam

Escallonia

Cork Bark Elm

Crab Apple [ just noticed the adventurous bud popping at the branch base!]

Gallery

Kokufu 2012 Photos

This gallery contains 28 photos.

I’m delighted to be able to share these photos from Kokufu 2012 with you all here on the blog. Owen Reich has kindly offered the use of his photos taken in Japan here on the blog. Owen is currently apprenticing at Mr. Fujikawa’s … Continue reading

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Little Cascade Ivy Preperation

I’m bring this little Ivy over to the BSA show as well. Not much good on it’s own but it might just help fill out a display for someone else. Being an unusual variety it’ll hopefully add a little interest too.

I had to replace the old moss and tidy up a few leaves that were pointing the wrong way. The very nature of Ivy’s growth means that they a a little unkempt, but I rather like this little fellow.

As lifted out of the Winter quarters, weeds and all!

I removed all the old moss.

As rots had grown into the old moss I trimmed them and gave it a general tidy up before I applied the new moss.

Ready to go. The photo doesn’t do the little fellow justice, but they rarely do.

Chuhin Maple Show Preperation

I’m taking this Maple with me to the BSA Exhibition  next Friday in the off chance that it’s up to the mark for the display. I had to do a little work to get it in order. This is it to start with.

Some little dead stubs had to be cut out to keep it tidy.

Next up I gave it a good soaking in a container of water.

I then scraped off the lose mix from the soil surface to make way for the moss.

Moss at the ready I made a start with getting it applied.

I used 3 different types of moss collected from three different sites. By mixing them up as you plant it, you make a more interesting surface.

I like to add a little moss with seed heads to the back of the pot. I think it helps add depth to the overall composition.

Next step was to water in the moss and get rid of any debris from the surface, then give it another press down.

Job Done, hopefully it’ll make the cut.

Further Inspiration

My go to guy for good photos is Hugh from the club. Recently converted to bonsai, Hugh has been scouring his back catalogue of photos looking for inspiration. He came across these two from a trip to America a few years back. I think he said they were taken at the Grand Canyon, I may be wrong!

 

Interesting Article

Someone shared a link to this article on Linkedin and I thought it was worth sharing it here. Some beautiful photographs of trees, unfortunately accompanied by a sad story.

Just click on the image below to view the gallery of photos, and click HERE to read the story.