Black Pine Refinement

It is pleasing to see what can be achieved in just a few years.  This Japanese Black Pine has been a 'problem child' for some time now, after being developed from a one year old seedling more than four decades ago.!!

We are finally seeing some real results after pursuing a set program for all of our Japanese Black and Red Pines.  The program is deceptively simple and satisfyingly successful after so many years of trying a plethora of 'text book' techniques.!!

The Program Summary, pictured below, is part of a Black Pine Development & Refinement presentation on our website.  Link HERE. 

It has taken many years to settle on a simple and effective refinement program for the pines in the gallery collection.  We are more than comfortable in sharing this program as we know that it works.!!

Hotoke - 仏 - Buddha's Knee

This is the transforation of 'Hotoke';  an old Japanese Black Pine (mikawa).  It was named by it's previous owner (Ian Hearn) as 'Buddhas Knee'.

Originally styled as a 'Literati', I reversed the front, bent the apex forward and styled it as a Moyogi - 'migi katte'.

Please excuse the very long needles; two wet growing seasons have set back my needle reduction plans.!!

Lots of refinement ahead of it.!!!!

It is potten in a very nice Chinese ZhengLiang pot.

Winter Work on Swamp Cypress Bonsai

 Winter is a great time to work on most deciduous bonsai.  Swamp cypress, particularly, as their branches remain supple enough for major wiring.

'Swampys' grow rapidly throughout Spring and Summer and in spite of Summer pruning and pinching can quickly grow out of shape.

 'Apical dominance' is very strong in this species and as such there is often many swamp cypress bonsai that suffer from 'apex creep' and over thickening of high branches........ So Winter is a great time to look carefully at the design of your bonsai and to correct any faults.  ... ?

 Bonsai Story and Provenance

Results of the Bonsai Masterclass, mentioned in my last article, are shown here in the image and short clip.  The weekend visit has reminded me of the importance of recording the history of our bonsai.

The story behind bonsai, like the one pictured here, is an important part of the history of bonsai and must be preserved. The story and provenance adds a richness to the art of bonsai.

No matter where a bonsai is displayed, in an exhibition, competition, or any other public or private collection, the story and provenance should be told.!!!

Most of us have seen old bonsai on display without the chance to fully appreciate its journey through time as well as the artists who had contributed to its longevity and design. 

The story of this Kuromatsu was covered in a previous article here. 

Bonsai Masterclass Weekend

All packed up and ready for a Bonsai Masterclass weekend with Ian Hearn.

The Kuro Matsu in this pic is one of Ian's I acquired many years ago.  It is going 'home' for the masterclass weekend at Ian's bonsai garden.

The work will concentrate on the usual Winter needle plucking, bud selection, and wiring along with some design 'tweaks'. 

It is always a great pleasure to work on such mature bonsai.  This KuroMatsu (Mikawa) was grown from Japanese seed in 1970.

Compare the Pair - Bonsai & Garden Tree

So many visitors to The Australian Bonsai Gallery assume that 'Bonsai' are some sort of special tree variety that simply do not grow as a 'normal' tree would grow. 

My stock-standard answer is to show them the comparison of the two English oaks pictured below. 

The large tree and the bonsai were acorns I collected from an oak tree that we had started from an acorn, and planted in our previous garden outside of Grafton, more than 40 yrs ago.

When we moved to Dorrigo 22 years ago, one tree was planted in the ground and the other started it's bonsai journey.

Now the comparison is stark.!  Sometimes I find it difficult to believe;  and our visitors are stunned at how these trees are the same age.  A great example of the 'magic' of Bonsai.

Time to Work on your Deciduous Bonsai

 Time again to work on your deciduous bonsai. Now that all leaves have fallen, it is a great opportunity to closely examine the ramification of your trees.

At this time of the year all deciduous bonsai at The Australian Bonsai Gallery undergo structural refinement through a rigorous thinning, bud selection and wiring. 

It is best to wire now as the branches on most species are still flexible enough to be wired and shaped.

Thinning out the unwanted branching, and bud selecting to two buds, eliminates unwanted Spring growth and improves overall branch ramification.

Chinese Elm from a 1980 root cutting.

The Last of the Gallery Bonsai For Sale and Discounted

This is about the last 'Old Stock' bonsai for sale from the gallery collection.  We have discounted them for a quick sale as we will, hopefully, be moving and down-sizing from our 6.5 acre property.

890 mtrs of Copper Wire for Softening

The Australian Bonsai Gallery has just taken delivery of 890 mtrs of copper wire. 

We have always, over 45 years, softened our own wire annually.  It has become a tradition to sit around a blazing fire, with a glass of red wine, in Winter to go through the annealing process.

We generally use 1.22mm, 1.63mm, 2.0mm, 3.2mm and 4.1mm copper on our bonsai and encourage all of our Workshop students to use copper on their bonsai.  It is very easy to use if softened properly.

New Bonsai House at Mt Coot-Tha Botanic Gardens

 Today we had a chance to visit the Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-Tha in Brisbane to check out the Japanese Gardens and the progress on the new Bonsai House build.

The Japanese Gardens are very well done and look spectacular even on a rainy, overcast day.

The new Bonsai House seems to be well under way.  I have been informed that it is expected to be completed by August this year.!!

I have added some images of the Japanese Gardens as well as some of the construction site.  Additionally, I have added a clip of the proposed layout of the Bonsai House.