The Bonsai Files
Your free access to general and how-to articles, The Bonsai Files. Detailed and filled with bonsai pictures, Zach shows you step-by-step how he designs bonsai and provides before, during, and after images.
The Bonsai Files
Bald Cypress Reforestation
I assembled this Bald cypress forest a couple of years ago. It's done all right, but it's also had its challenges. I've neglected this planting in favor of other bonsai, but this year I decided it was time to bring it back to "life." All but one of the trees...
Bonsai Odds & Ends – BC, Oak, Maple
I started working on this Bald cypress, Taxodium distichum, last year. The idea was to get a branch set going, and to select and position a new leader to continue the trunk to a final apex. This photo was taken on 12/28/18. Nice fall color, but the tree had...
Huckleberry #5 Styling Work
This Huckleberry, Vaccinium sp., was among the first of my trees to leaf out this spring. Not only that, it put on a nice bloom as well. Today I decided to do more editing and a little wiring in order to get my design in place. Granted, the tree looks good...
Collecting Season Ends
With just about everything starting to push buds now, collecting season has come to an end. Yesterday I was able to lift some more Cedar elms, including this nice specimen. I should know fairly soon if I was successful.Here's another nice specimen, "barky"...
Crape Myrtle Repotting
It's been two years ago that this Crape myrtle, Lagerstoemia indica, got a new pot and some much-needed design work. The tree has been happily growing (and blooming in summer) in its Byron Myrick custom pot. But as with all bonsai, sooner or later you've got...
The Wonderful Challenge Of That First Bonsai Pot
I first showed you this Water-elm, Planera aquatica, last month. I did an initial styling on it, as it had grown out well following collection in July. I mentioned that I would be slip-potting this tree come spring. Today as I was checking the stock, I...
It’s Go Time – Trees Are Waking Up
I first noticed it last weekend. Bald cypress is one of the first species to start pushing buds in spring or, technically, late winter - all it takes is some unseasonably warm weather. Well, that's just what we've been getting, with temperatures reaching...
BC Collecting Trip #3
Today was our third BC collecting trip of the season. It could well be the last - many BC are budding out now, including some we collected in early January. I have successfully collected Cypress after budding, but the longer you wait the riskier it gets. So...
What To Do When Your Bonsai Misbehave
I'm writing about this Huckleberry, Vaccinium species, for two reasons: one, it's a prime example of a bonsai to be that has misbehaved on its way from wild specimen to styled specimen; and two, from being lifted in Winter 2018 and direct-potted, then left to...