One to One: Repotting Session

Bonsai Eejit

Saturday was another one to one session for me this time helping to repot some tricky trees.

This Hawthorn collected from a garden by Ben a few years back was one of the first trees tackled. A decision had to be made about a heavy long root that would dictate what pot it would fit into.

First this tree moss covering the lower trunk had to be removed. I hate this stuff. It gets in under rough bark and can cause it to lift off.

We then had to wash out the old mix and any original field soil. This allowed us to see exactly what had to be reduced and allowed us to see that the heavy root could be removed without putting too much stress on the tree. It had done well under Ben’s care and plenty of fine root was in evidence.

My handy root washing system…

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2015 89th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition– Part 2

Valavanis Bonsai Blog

Part 2 of Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition was held on February 10-13, 2015 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Tokyo, Japan, following a day closed where 181 bonsai displays were replaced with all new bonsai, except for the four special displays. The Japan Suiseki Exhibition opened on the closed day and the Ueno Green Club sales area was also open for visitors.

These two views may quickly seem similar to Part 1, however all the trees are new. However under close examination a few of the companion plantings were identical, but slightly rotated. I’m not certain because my personal study of Part 2 has not been completed yet, but I think I remember seeing a few display tables from Part 1.

Japanese five-needle pine, Pinus parviflora

Gardenia, Gardenia jasmoindes

Zuisho Japanese five-needle pine, Pinus parviflora ‘Zuisjo.’ Perhaps the reason for the increased number of this choice cultivar is because most…

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One to One : Scot’s Pine

Bonsai Eejit

Another one to one today, this time helping out with a tricky repot of a Scots Pine. I love this tree! It’s been in a wooden box for a few years to increase vigour after a few years dealing with Needle Cast. I helped with the first styling of this tree back on 11th September 2001, an easy date to remember due to the tragedy that unfolded as we finished the tree.

This was the tree today.

And after a tidy up and old needle removal…

Then the repot

and the result

Over exposure but kinda cool all the same …

It’s been nice to keep a connection with this tree over the years. I even looked back in my files and found some older photos.

September 2001

March 2002

And a virtual image I made back in 2002. Not too far off the mark.

Stephen reworking the tree back in…

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Fuji in Bloom

Scratch Bonsai

March 2015

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Neagari Goyomatsu

John Milton Bonsai

Recently I was given this exposed root White pine to wire. It is a customers tree that he wanted wired.

For an exposed root I think it has character, it’s pretty old and nice small leaf quality.

I must say that I like the tree and I’m glad I was given it to work.

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Spring status

Why I “waste” my time on “bad” trees or, I don’t give a damn about my bad reputation

Adam's Art and Bonsai Blog

Here I go again, stepping in the ant pile…..hopeful I don’t get bit this time….

Ya’ll remember this tree that I teased you with a few posts back?



Well, we will get back to it towards the end of the post, but I must say, it’s a “bad tree”.

What do I mean by that, anyway? Let me put a scene, a situation, an act of a play, into your mind.

Ok, close your eyes…..wait, that won’t work, how will you be able to read what I’m writing……ok, close your mind’s eye and read what I’m writin’.

You are at your first bonsai club meeting, you’ve brought your pride and joy, a ficus you got at IKEA, and you have been working your courage up to go to this meeting for two weeks. You are a little apprehensive because you’re just not sure if this whole “bonsai club”…

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A thorn in my side

Andys shohin bonsai

This small rose is a new one for me, having a dislike of garden roses with all the thorns and black spot and just as the flowers come out it rains and ruins the flowers. I have always thought it would be good to have a small one ever since 20years ago when I saw one of Ruth Stafford Jones. I even had a cutting from hers that I have had all that time and still looks much as it did then and ever only had one tiny but beautiful creamy white double flower.
This on I have no idea on flower colour, but that’s the fun to wait and see. I know it has flowered well due to all the hips. So with the buds starting to move it was time to trim it, I guess this is not going to be a high maintenance plant to keep. Time…

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