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
Time To Overpot A Spekboom – Again
time to overpot a spekboom - again Sneak PeekThe Spekboom, or Dwarf jade, is a wonderful bonsai subject. They're almost impossible to kill (if you don't freeze them in winter), and they grow vigorously in the summer heat. That means you have to repot them pretty...
Bald Cypress Fun In 2021
bald cypress fun in 2021Sneak PeekIt's not too soon to think about trees I'm going to work on in 2021. Here are a few Bald cypresses that are on the list.Bald Cypress Fun in 2021I rarely do any Bald cypress trunk-building - I much prefer to collect them already built...
Privet Progression – A Fast Year
A picture's worth a thousand words, right? Or at least a few hundred. Here are six pictures that tell a story all on their own. Pay close attention to the dates. 8/2/19 8/18/19 8/18/19 9/22/19 11/2/19 8/19/20 It's also worth noting that in addition to the design...
Chinese Elm Forest Fun
chinese elm forest fun Sneak PeekForest bonsai are great fun to make. As long as you have a bunch of trees that look like they go together (straight trunks/crooked trunks, various size trunks, similar trunk character), you can make a presentable forest in minutes....
Shohin American Elm Progress
shohin american elm progress Sneak PeekYou can build a shohin bonsai quickly, provided you have the right species to work with. This American elm is a good example of this. Shohin American Elm Progress I've shown you this small American elm pre-bonsai before, the...
Where Should That BC Trunk Chop Go?
where should that bc trunk chop go?Sneak PeekEssentially all collected large Bald cypresses are trunk-chopped. In the wild they may be 20 feet tall. When you get them home they end up 2 feet tall. Then you start building.Where Should that BC Trunk Chop Go? I...
Adjusting Your Plans – Like With This Bald Cypress
adjusting your plans - like with this bald cypress Sneak PeekWhen we collect trees we usually have some specific expectations. Sometimes the tree decide to go a different direction. What to do? Adjust your plan.Adjusting Your Plans - Like With This Bald Cypress...
Design Principles: Is It A Tree Or An Abstract Tree?
design principles: is it a tree or an abstract tree?Sneak PeekA bonsai is literally a tree in a tray. But as I'm sure we can all agree, it's far more than that. But what exactly is it? A tree or an abstract tree? The best way to answer this question may be by...
Water-Elm Progression
water-elm progression Sneak PeekI've been keeping you updated on the progression of one of the Water-elms in my personal collection. This tree has done so well, it's just about show-ready. Water-Elm Progression Beginning at the beginning is always best when you're...