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Very old Azalea, alba superba, dug from an old garden over 40 years ago. Been a very long process but now in its first bonsai pot.
Flowers are pure white and a little larger than what is preferred for bonsai but the scale of this bonsai will make up for this.
Lots of design work in the future but the wonderful movement in the dead wood of this tree will make a good design easier to achieve.
This old 'Swampy' had been for sale on our website, for some time, as a rock slab planting. I decided to give it a make-over as a formal upright; more in keeping with the traditional styling for this species.
The bonsai is For Sale Here, but will not be released until it has settled into its new pot.
Cedrus libani 'Hedgehog' is a dwarf selection of Lebanon cedar. This one was on sale on our website as a stock plant for some time so I decided to transition it to a bonsai pot.
It was allowed to grow un-pruned for about six years and has, now, developed a good nebari and lower trunk.
Once it settles into its bonsai pot I will start the design process.
What a great day in the Bonsai Gallery working on some of the best quality bonsai I have ever worked on.
I purchased these bonsai from the collection of Ian Hearn late last year. They were, already, well established, high quality, bonsai and the notion of taking on the legacy was/is an intimidating thought.
Japanese Black Pine - 'mikawa' from the Ian Hearn Collection
Just came across an old (4years ago) pic of this Kuromatsu and could not believe the difference.! It is easy to loose perspective when your focus is on continuous improvement of your bonsai.
More than a cursory 'look-back' is required to fully appreciate the fruits of your labors.
Looking forward, I will be concentrating on improving the branch ramification. More branches, more buds, and therefore smaller needles.!!!
For those interested in the process I use in development and refinement of Kuromatsu please see the slideshow HERE
One year has passed since the image on the left was taken. Another year of careful pruning and wiring has resulted in a marked improvement in the design.
As with most things in life, "you only get out what you put in". Where bonsai is concerned I, increasingly, get so much more out of developing and refining my trees.
The Japanese White, Red, and Black pines at the Australian Bonsai Gallery are all set for a good Spring flush.
After regular fertilising over Autumn and Winter, needle thinning, bud selection, and wiring we are looking forward to another successful 'first flush'.
Many of the older pines have been pushing out a very even first flush, over many buds, resulting in smaller needles and negating the need for a second flush.
Not having to rely on a second flush, every second year, seems to make the older trees stronger.!
Now at 51 years old this KuroMatsu has been in the Australian Bonsai Gallery collection for about 15 years. Each Winter our Black and Red pines see some improvement with annual needle thinning, bud selection, and wiring.
Originally grown and styled by Ian Hearn, this JBP is starting to show some aged 'mikawa' bark as well as some branch refinement. One of the best bonsai in our collection.!!
If you would like to own a bonsai similar to this one Ian has a number of 'Mikawa' Japanese Black Pine for sale HERE.
Niwaki avenue of Japanese Black Pines connecting the upper and lower pavilions at the Shūgakuin Imperial Villa, Kyoto. Don't think I have seen so many Black Pine Niwaki in one place.!
The walk along this avenue was stunning.! The work that has gone into this garden is outstanding.
Today I received a text message from a bonsai friend. This well respected bonsai friend has been practicing the art of bonsai for well over 50 years, has a large collection of high quality bonsai, and really didn't need to develop any more bonsai. So i was supprised when he texted me with two images of trees he has just started to develop as bonsai.!!
One comment in his text inspired me to write this article...
"I've forgotten how much I get out of starting a new tree."
I agreed whole-heatedly with his comment and remembered an article I read in an old Bonsai Today Magazine titled "The Art of the Future". The article was about the 're-birth' of a neglected 'Aka-Matsu' named 'Tako'. Unfortunately I cannot reproduce the entire article here but it was the closing paragraphs of the article that resonated with me and which relate well with my bonsai friend's comment.
Here is that extract:
"Our trees are a metaphore for the history and the future of an inspiring bonsai culture. This culture, largely unknown to those living outside of the community, represents a collective effort in dedication to things old and timeless - to living creations passed on from generation to generation. Although Tako is an immature bonsai in need of many years of strategic feeding and applied technique, it is a collective work and, in this context, represents a bonsai heritage - the artistic leanings and horticulture care of the many who have touched its roots, trunk, limbs, and spirit.
The evolution of our designs is one of the protean and exciting elements characterising our living asthetic. Our bonsai beginnings are filled with sparks of creation and high expectations for the selective material. In this instance, the styling of the small Japanese Red Pine has imbued me with a sense of a new beginning - a rebirth - and vaguely realised dreams."
........ Bonsai Today - 56, 1998 - 4, page 46.
This is a true and concise description of the satisfaction felt when starting a tree, and ourselves, on the bonsai journey.
Initial styling of two Catlin Elms
