Bonsai Files
Water-Elm Redux – Progress, Progress
There's no denying that fast development in our bonsai is a good thing. To be sure, time in training really brings a bonsai to a fullness of design. But getting the design established quickly is, in my view, very important. Some species lend themselves to this...
Bonsai Odds & Ends – Oak, Fig, Maple
I love working with unusual species, and making bonsai that defy the normally accepted rules for design. Here are a few examples of current projects. First off is a Red oak, Quercus nuttallii, that I collected in East Texas a couple of years ago. (East Texas...
Privet Work And Slip-Potting
Privets seldom disappoint. This one has put on a lot of growth in just a couple of months, and I can tell by the strength of it that a slip-potting now shouldn't cause any problem for it. But first, some design work. Most bonsai design work is "grow and clip,"...
Oak Sunday
I love oak bonsai. Oaks are, in fact, among the best deciduous species available for bonsai. They take to pot culture well, backbud well, have great bark, and many species have small leaves. What's not to like? Here's a Water oak I lifted this summer in order...
Big Hoss Gets Chopped And Styled; A Brother Gets Some Work
"Big Hoss" is a really big Water-elm we brought home last summer. Recently I posted him for sale as raw material. I've been studying this unique piece of material since we first happened upon it. No question it's an awesome specimen. But how to make the most of...
Water-Elm Collecting 2019 #3
Today was probably the last of our Water-elm collecting trips for 2019. We once again got some nice material. Here are a handful of examples. I just love this raft-style specimen. Nice, tight trunks. I've already got a plan in mind for this one, so hopefully it...
Bonsai Odds & Ends – Water Oak and Privet
You've been following the development of this Water oak (Quercus nigra) since last year. The tree was collected in February of 2018, but failed to bud except in one spot. The obvious answer was to make bonsai lemonade out of that lemon.Here's the tree last...
Water-Elm Collecting 2019 #2
Our second Water-elm hunt of the season happened today. This is the biggest specimen that came home with us (trunk base over 3"). Here's one view of the tree before it got re-chopped top and bottom. I'm not sure which front is going to be best. What do you...
Fun Fast Bonsai Development
I love fast-developing trees. Some species and styles naturally lend themselves to rapid progress. The flat-top Bald cypress is a perfect example of this phenomenon. This specimen was collected in Winter 2019, and here's how it looked after the initial styling...
Water-Elm Collecting 2019 #1
Today began our Water-elm collecting season. Each of these trees you see has been under about 20 feet of water since winter. Now it's time for their growing season, which will only last a few months. The short growing season is why these trees, though they may...