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 Envelope Is Pushed
A couple of weeks ago I published a photo of this riverflat hawthorn, Crataegus opaca, I collected on October 10th. There were tiny buds at the ends of some of the branchlets, which clearly were viable and indicated this tree was likely going to survive collecting. ...
What’s Wrong With This Picture? Part 2
In my first post on this topic, I briefly described the challenge we face in taking photographs of our trees that actually reflect their real-world appearance. Distance, camera angles, lenses, and so on can all contribute to distorted views of our trees. At the same...
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
One of the most useful - and underutilized - tools we have as bonsai artists is the camera. While it's gotten pretty common in this age of smart phones to take photos of our trees, how often do we use the results to help us with our styling? I've made a conscious...
The Envelope May Just Be Pushed
I chose this riverflat hawthorn, Crataegus opaca, to test the potential for collecting hawthorn species in October. I know I've mentioned before that hawthorns are relatively easy to collect, with a 90% survival rate - a very consistent rate I've experienced over the...
“* Dragon *” Throws Buds
You first saw this water-elm on August 16th. Dimensionally, it's the biggest I've ever collected, sporting a trunk base 6" across and measuring 42" along the length of the trunk (but only 28" in height from the soil surface). In terms of character, I've never...
Remembering A Good Bonsai Friend
I first met Allen Gautreau ("Go Tro" - it's one of those Cajun names) in 1986, when my rekindled interest in bonsai had me seeking out local enthusiasts. He was new to the art, as was I. While I don't recall that many details of our early encounters, I know we went...
Water-Elm Roundup
Today concluded my water-elm roundup for 2015. You couldn't have asked for better weather - temps in the 50s to start the day, rising into the 60s as the dig progressed. Better still, I brought home some real quality material. I'll know for sure next spring if I...
Pushing A New Bonsai Envelope
Water-elm, Planera aquatica, is one of my big-two bonsai species along with bald cypress. I've probably worked on more water-elms than any other species, and I may very well have worked on more than anyone else in the art. I've written on more than one occasion...
Bald Cypress Fall Cleanup And Pruning
During each collecting season I choose one or two bald cypresses that I can put directly into bonsai pots and "fast-track" develop. This one had what is without a doubt the finest basal buttress for a tree its size. This photo was taken in June, after I did the...