Since seeing a Seigen for the first time in Bonsai Today #47, I have wanted one. Finally, several years ago, an acquaintance on Bonsai Nut found a site offering them as grafts and I grabbed this one. As purchased in spring 2019: My plan was to plant it in the ground and begin to propagate … Continue reading ‘Seigen’ Japanese Maple Air Layer→
There are some areas of this tree that need more volume, particularly noticeable if the viewer walks around it. Most of it will correct with time, but some areas will benefit from keeping this year’s extension growth instead of candle-cutting. Typically, candle-cutting in my area is in early to late July; allowing a 100-day growing … Continue reading Selective Summer Candle Cutting on a JBP→
Our annual show was last weekend, here are a few unedited shots from the show, along with a link to a video walkthrough. Enjoy. Here are my submissions. I did have a chance to edit these shots. Our auditorium is difficult to photograph in. And here is a link to the video walkthrough on my … Continue reading 2025 Alabama Bonsai Society Spring Show→
This maple was pruned back and lightly wired last winter: I usually repot it each year in March: As buds open, I pinch out the central bud, leaving a single pair of leaves on each shoot. This keeps the internodes short. Sometimes a few get past me, which I address when I do summer work.… Continue reading Summer Japanese Maple work
This maple was pruned back and lightly wired last winter: I usually repot it each year in March: As buds open, I pinch out the central bud, leaving a single pair of leaves on each shoot. This keeps the internodes short. Sometimes a few get past me, which I address when I do summer work. … Continue reading Summer Japanese Maple work→
With around 100 days before our first frost, it is time to perform summer candle-cutting on these Japanese Black Pines. This is removing this year’s new growth which prompts in another flush of new candles and needles that are smaller, and usually provide another course of ramification; making this a refinement training activity. Here is… Continue reading Summer Candle-Cutting with JBP
With around 100 days before our first frost, it is time to perform summer candle-cutting on these Japanese Black Pines. This is removing this year’s new growth which prompts in another flush of new candles and needles that are smaller, and usually provide another course of ramification; making this a refinement training activity. Here is … Continue reading Summer Candle-Cutting with JBP→
Years ago, I wrote off the practice of summer candle-cutting corkbark JBP because they just didn’t respond well. The result was often just buds setting for next year, some lethargic new candles at stronger branches, but nothing consistent throughout the tree. In summer 2024, with my small Hachi-gen in strong health but with long needles,… Continue reading Summer candle-cutting a corkbark JBP?
Years ago, I wrote off the practice of summer candle-cutting corkbark JBP because they just didn’t respond well. The result was often just buds setting for next year, some lethargic new candles at stronger branches, but nothing consistent throughout the tree. In summer 2024, with my small Hachi-gen in strong health but with long needles, … Continue reading Summer candle-cutting a corkbark JBP?→
When I received the book, “Classic Bonsai of Japan”, one of the first eye-catching compositions was this Japanese maple in an antique Chinese container. So much so that I commissioned a replica from a potter friend, Byron Myrick back around 2010. He made 3 or 4, one on which the glaze hit just right, but… Continue reading An old Chinese Pot
When I received the book, “Classic Bonsai of Japan”, one of the first eye-catching compositions was this Japanese maple in an antique Chinese container. So much so that I commissioned a replica from a potter friend, Byron Myrick back around 2010. He made 3 or 4, one on which the glaze hit just right, but … Continue reading An old Chinese Pot→
Happy Thanksgiving to the American readers. Here are a few shots from this fall. Hoping to do a little wiring over the next few days and to share updates on a few trees. It has been a minute.
Happy Thanksgiving to the American readers. Here are a few shots from this fall. Hoping to do a little wiring over the next few days and to share updates on a few trees. It has been a minute.
This gem came from Telperion Farms around 10 years ago. It was last styled at Bjorn’s a couple years ago, and repotted in spring 2025. I candle-cut it in July and had a chance to work on it this fall. A quick look over the last 10 years… And finally, the money shot. Next year,… Continue reading Japanese Black Pine, ‘Arakawa’
This gem came from Telperion Farms around 10 years ago. It was last styled at Bjorn’s a couple years ago, and repotted in spring 2025. I candle-cut it in July and had a chance to work on it this fall. A quick look over the last 10 years… And finally, the money shot. Next year, … Continue reading Japanese Black Pine, ‘Arakawa’→
The last post showed some branch work. Now, a few weeks later it is time to continue the work on this Japanese maple, by repotting, evening out the trunk tones with some lime sulfur, and beginning the bud-removal work associated with developing short internodes and controlled growth. Here is a quick rundown on the annual… Continue reading Continuing spring work on the Japanese Maple
The last post showed some branch work. Now, a few weeks later it is time to continue the work on this Japanese maple, by repotting, evening out the trunk tones with some lime sulfur, and beginning the bud-removal work associated with developing short internodes and controlled growth. Here is a quick rundown on the annual … Continue reading Continuing spring work on the Japanese Maple→
Had a warm afternoon recently and decided to do a little pruning. First up, Prunus mume which has yet to bloom. Next up, the ginkgo. Trident Maple, root over rock. Satsuki azalea Finally, Hawthorn, which required a little more effort, since I lost a branch in the upper right. What’s next? It’s late April, so… Continue reading Spring Haircuts
Had a warm afternoon recently and decided to do a little pruning. First up, Prunus mume which has yet to bloom. Next up, the ginkgo. Trident Maple, root over rock. Satsuki azalea Finally, Hawthorn, which required a little more effort, since I lost a branch in the upper right. What’s next? It’s late April, so … Continue reading Spring Haircuts→
These two junipers are wired and scheduled to be re-wired this winter, so I’m not letting them get out of hand. While I don’t want to prune them back too hard, I do want them to have plenty of light and air circulation. The work in this case, is to shorten strong runners, eliminate weak… Continue reading Summer trimming on Itoigawa and Kiyozuru Shimpaku junipers
These two junipers are wired and scheduled to be re-wired this winter, so I’m not letting them get out of hand. While I don’t want to prune them back too hard, I do want them to have plenty of light and air circulation. The work in this case, is to shorten strong runners, eliminate weak … Continue reading Summer trimming on Itoigawa and Kiyozuru Shimpaku junipers→
Last summer, due to lots happening at our house (kitchen Reno, France trip, lost a dog, got a puppy, all the things…) my trees rode very much in the back seat. I didn’t candle-cut them until nearly the end of July, and the response was ok with the Arakawa and the 350 black pine, but […]
Last summer, due to lots happening at our house (kitchen Reno, France trip, lost a dog, got a puppy, all the things…) my trees rode very much in the back seat. I didn’t candle-cut them until nearly the end of July, and the response was ok with the Arakawa and the 350 black pine, but … Continue reading JBP Summer Candle-Cutting Time Again→
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