zach’s personal collection

Read About the Bonsai in Zach’s Collection

bald cypress

BC Collecting Trip #3 For 2020

BC Collecting Trip #3 For 2020

  Today was our third Bald cypress collecting trip for 2020. The goal was to bring home somewhat smaller material, mostly in the 3" +/- trunk size. We were definitely successful. This is a good example of our haul. The base is terrific, and you can't argue with...

read more
BC Collecting Trip #2 For 2020

BC Collecting Trip #2 For 2020

  Our second BC collected trip for 2020 happened yesterday. As often happens, the weather did not cooperate. On the plus side, the rain was not Noah-worthy so we plowed through and got the job done. If you're into big classically styled Bald cypress bonsai, this...

read more
Huckleberry #5 Potted

Huckleberry #5 Potted

  Here's where we left off with Huckleberry #5. With the fall trimming and carving done, I set it back on the bench and got busy with other chores. Flower buds on my Huckleberries are swelling, and a few are already opening. With the mild winter, I expect these...

read more

Read About the Bonsai in Zach’s Collection

huckleberry

Don’t Ignore Problems At This Time Of Year

Don’t Ignore Problems At This Time Of Year

As the growing season comes to an end, we have certain chores we do to prepare for winter. Deciduous trees are either in full color or already dropping foliage. Watering needs decline from two or three times daily to once every few days. Cold frames are getting...

read more
One Of The Big Trees I’m Keeping, An Awesome Bald Cypress

One Of The Big Trees I’m Keeping, An Awesome Bald Cypress

In keeping with the weekend's theme, I wanted to update you on one of the big trees I'm keeping, an awesome Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). The last time I blogged on this one was in July.   July is Bald cypress defoliation season. If your tree is in good...

read more
Bald Cypress In July – How To Speed Up Development

Bald Cypress In July – How To Speed Up Development

Bald cypress, Taxodium distichum, is one of the best species for bonsai and one I believe every beginner should have. They grow very fast, even in a small container. And the fast growth makes them quicker to train to showable condition.   This specimen was...

read more

Read About the Bonsai in Zach’s Collection

riverflat hawthorn

Bald Cypress In July – How To Speed Up Development

Bald Cypress In July – How To Speed Up Development

Bald cypress, Taxodium distichum, is one of the best species for bonsai and one I believe every beginner should have. They grow very fast, even in a small container. And the fast growth makes them quicker to train to showable condition.   This specimen was...

read more
Parsley Hawthorn Literati – Going In A Great Direction

Parsley Hawthorn Literati – Going In A Great Direction

    Just over a month ago I decided it was time to do an initial styling on this Parsley hawthorn, Crataegus marshallii. There was never any doubt about the future for this bonsai-to-be - it was going to be a literati. The literati style is, for lack of a...

read more

A Few New Bonsai I’m Working On

I collected this Parsley hawthorn, Crataegus marshallii, in February. Though it was a decent piece of material, I knew there were quite a few years ahead of it in order for it to become a presentable bonsai. Then a thought occurred to me. That nice slender trunk...

read more

Read About the Bonsai in Zach’s Collection

willow oak

Fall Color And Reflection

Fall Color And Reflection

As the year draws to a close, it's nice to spend some time reflecting on this year's growing season and how it impacted our bonsai. Was it a good year? What new things did you learn? What surprises (good or bad) popped up? It's for sure that you never stop...

read more
I Love This Tree, It Just Keeps Getting Better

I Love This Tree, It Just Keeps Getting Better

My great Riverflat hawthorn, Crataegus opaca, is finishing up year six in my care. The leaves will be off the tree soon, but just as the deciduous tree gives us different looks throughout the year I like this in-between one too. For those of you who haven't worked...

read more
God Bless The Ever-Reliable Crape Myrtle

God Bless The Ever-Reliable Crape Myrtle

Living in the Deep South has some advantages. Fall color on bonsai trees is not one of them. So imagine my surprise when I noticed this guy last evening Lovely fall color, right? Crapes tend to produce fall color down here when most other deciduous species just end...

read more

we love your input

comments