Removing First Flush on Pines

It does not seem to matter how many decades I have worked on pines I always hesitate when it comes to cutting that wonderful bright green Spring flush.!! 

It seems a shame but knowing how important this task is makes it a necessary part of the refinement of all 'two flush' pines.  Within a few weeks this pine will respond by pushing out multiple second flush buds.

 Our Japanese Red Pines are usually the first to be cut each year followed some weeks later by our Black Pines.

Spring Flush Trident Maple

This old 'Root-over-Rock' trident maple bonsai was grown from a cutting in the late 1970's.

One of our favourite bonsai at The Australian Bonsai Gallery.  It spent some time at The National Bonsai & Penjing Collection of Australia (NBPCA) Canberra.

It is a very important time for most deciduous bonsai.  In particular, for trident maples, as they require constant pinching back to the first node pair every couple of days.  This is the best opportunity to increase ramification.!

A New Pot for this Old Pine

An old saying, that has it's roots in Greek and Roman literature, "cloths maketh the man" rings true in the world of bonsai when you find the 'perfect' pot for that special tree.

This is certainly the case here.  After a number of 'pot iterations' this old 'mikawa' Japanese Black Pine has found it's home in this 'nan ban' by Mr.MATSUSHITA Hiroyuki, Reihou kiln;  what I would call a highly harmonious and complementary match.

Finding that match is not an easy task.  Although there are a number of on-line resources that can help with the search.  I an always searching through the Bonsai Island website as well as the Aussie Bonsai Pot Auction Facebook Page for inspiration and sales.!!!

Large Deciduous Bonsai Repotted

 It is satisfying to see so many super fine roots on this trident maple.  Grown from a cutting over 4 decades ago it has developed an impressive nebari and a very stable and fine root structure.  This root structure has enabled it to go back into the same shallow pot comfortably.

A high percentage of Akadama in the soil mix has contributed significantly to the well ramified roots.  The Australian Bonsai Gallery always use a high quality hard akadama for all our bonsai.   

The Evolution of an Old Atlantic Cedar

 It is always a delight to look back on the history of the development and refinement of an old bonsai.  

The history of bonsai in Australia is really lacking.  Bonsai change hands without retaining and passing on the relevant history of the tree.  This results, in many cases, to a de-valuing of old bonsai and robbing future generations of this valuable data.

These data hold, within their images, an equally valuable chronicle of what can be achieved over time, and with the dedication to the art of many generations of artists.

A full history of this bonsai can be read HERE.

Apprentice Repotting Workshop

 A great couple of days repotting some bonsai that have been refined over the past years workshops.  Good to see some trees go into high quality Japanese pots.

The more 'one-on-one' workshops we hold at The Australian Bonsai Gallery the more convinced of the greater value it offers to our students.

Last chance to own this very large JBP

This is the final price reduction on this old Japanese Black Pine.  It is now 1.5mtrs high with a 30cm nebari.!!  The foliage layers have been further refined through careful needle thinning and bud selection every Winter.

This bonsai is for sale to anyone who wishes to make a statement in their garden centre or home bonsai garden.  It would also make an excellent Niwaki.

For more images and details go to our For Sale page.

 Early Start for Repotting Bonsai

The Australian Bonsai Gallery has an early start to the repotting season for 2025.

This old Chinese Elm is always earlier than others, but in over 4 decades, this is a record early year to start. It is usually a reliable indication that the entire season will be upon us early.

We are really pleased to see this bonsai now in a high quality Yamafusa pot.

If you are looking for some experience with repotting your bonsai we have a few openings for our 'One-On-One' Workshops.  A great opportunity to gain some essential repotting knowledge.

Autumn and Winter Soil Care

I have been asked on many occasions why I add fertilizer bags to my deciduous bonsai through Autumn and Winter when the trees are not growing.

The simple, and logical, answer is to feed the soil.!!  

Walk through a deciduous forest in Winter, kick the fallen leaves back and you will see a living network of fungi and other biota enjoying a winter snack on the fallen leaves.

It follows that if we can somehow mimic this part of the natural world then our bonsai soil will be richer and that our bonsai will be healthier as a result.

Over the many decades of growing bonsai at The Australian Bonsai Gallery we have noticed that the soil biota is attracted to the fertilizer bags. Those bonsai with an external mycorrhiza literally grow up into the bags.!!!

 Another Apprentice Training Session

Another intense three day training session for our 'Deshi' 弟子(apprentice). 

Among other bonsai worked on over the period, work was started on needle thinning and bud selection on this huge black pine. We only had time to complete the lower part of the tree but lessons were learnt and many questions answered.

The Juniper in the second image was thinned out and wired.  Along with a planting angle change this juniper has seen an improvement in its balance and movement.

The Australian Bonsai Gallery is very proud to have such a hard working and dedicated Deshi.!  Well done Steve.!