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
The Natural Companions Are Happy, Plus A Couple More Bonsai
These two bald cypresses came out of the swamp together, having grown for some time as natural companions. I could see a two tree flat-top pairing right off the bat. Knowing I could create the entire crown of each tree in a bonsai pot, I went ahead and put the pair...
How To Make Great Bonsai From Collected Trees
Who doesn't love the idea of working with trees collected for bonsai? Absolutely no one! Great collected bonsai material is just as inspiring as collected treasure, because that's really what it is. Every one of us has at least a little treasure hunter in them. ...
Progress Of The Bald Cypress With The New Front
I'm sure you all remember this Bald Cypress, Taxodium Distichum, which I defoliated on July 14th. You were kind enough to help me pick the new front of the tree. It's surprising to many folks that established BC can be defoliated in summer, but the fact is it not...
Creating A Dogwood Bonsai
I posted a blog on this Roughleaf dogwood, Cornus drummondii, this past Thursday. The tree was collected in January of this year, and after a slow start really took off. As I mentioned Thursday, the tree has a lot going for it in terms of character. Given that plus...
Benign Neglect Pays Off Again
I have written on more than one occasion about the principle of benign neglect as it pertains to bonsai. Because bonsai is a hands-on pastime, the beginner often becomes convinced that creating and maintaining their trees is almost constant work. In fact, aside from...
Elm Development – Simple Steps
There's nothing like developing a bonsai. Sure, we all have or want "finished" trees in our collection for sheer viewing pleasure, but no destination is fun without the journey to get there. We're well into the depths of summer now, and my trees have put on a lot of...
Oaks In Summer
When I tell fellow bonsai enthusiasts that I've had good success collecting oaks in summer, they're always surprised. And why not? We know that most species prefer to be collected during dormancy, meaning winter. I've written before about my own discovery in regard...
American Hornbeam – Quick Progression
I've written at length about American Hornbeam, Carpinus Caroliniana. It's one of my favorite species for bonsai, and one of my five best bonsai trees for beginners. The tree shown here, collected in January 2015, was potted this June. There's a lot of character in...
How To Make Bonsai Lemonade – Part 3
As I've written on at least a couple of occasions, sometimes our best intentions when collecting or working on trees just don't pan out. Sometimes a tree will die, but just as often a tree may die only partly. You can't always make something out of these...