Dedicated Bonsai Student

It is an ongoing pleasure running our 'one-on-one' bonsai workshops.  Particularly when the student is dedicated to improving their bonsai skills.

There are many time consuming and laborious jobs involved in the development and refinement of bonsai; some of which can test the patience of even the most dedicated.  It is satisfying to see my students embrace these tasks and learn so much in the process.

The Australian Bonsai Gallery workshops are totally focused on the needs and asperations of the individual student resulting in a high level of satisfaction for both the student and teacher.

Find out more or sign up for a workshop tailored to your needs HERE. 

One Sold & three to go

This bonsai is now sold and going to a good home for a new phase of it's life.

Sad to see it go as it has been apart of the gallery collection from a tiny seedling.

It is strange how we become so attached to these trees.

 Occasionally The Australian Bonsai Gallery offer up some of the gallery bonsai for sale. 

All bonsai for sale are of exceptional quality.  For more details on these bonsai go to the Sale.

Tour The Australian Bonsai Gallery

Take a tour of the early Spring growth at The Australian Bonsai Gallery.  The video clip is attached below.  It may take some time to load and is best viewed in 'HD' and 'Full Screen'.

We are open to the public 'by appointment' most days.

If you would like to sign up for a Spring workshop you can register HERE.  Remember that your workshops are 'One on One' so that students can take full advantage of their time.

 The rewards of Correct Pruning

 It is gratifying to see the results of last Summer and Winter pruning on our Swamp cypress bonsai.

Late Summer pruning of extended Spring growth and a Winter branch selection has resulted in stronger tertiary branches developing now.

Correct Summer pruning on Swamp cypress bonsai was covered in a previous article HERE  if interested.

 Confirmation of a good design

Evidence of good pot design is visible in the root development in this Japanese Black Pine.  No roots circling the pot due to the vertical striations on the sides of th pot.

This design seems to be the exception rather than the rule in bonsai pot design, particularly important in round bonsai pots.

Another Pot Upgrade for this Sequoia

Good to see this old Sequoia sempervirens in a much better pot.  The pot is a large oval Tokoname Yamakou-gama - 山晃釜

It is no easy task to repot this monster as the root growth is outrageous.!!  Two years in it's old pot has seen an explosion of fine matted roots.  You would think that this bonsai had been in this pot for more that twice the time it has. 

This bonsai started it's journey as a tube-stock seedling more that 45 years ago.  It has always been in the gallery collection and was field grown for only about 4 years.

 Black Pine Slab Planting

This is the first Japanese Black Pine Slab Planting in 48 years at The Australian Bonsai Gallery.  The inspiration for this planting came from a visit to the Hikone Castle garden, 'Genkyu-en' on Lake Biwa Japan.

Most certainly not a copy of this huge black pine but an inspiration none the less.

My black pine is well over 40 years old but I would say that you could add a zero to the age of the Genkyu-en pine.

Spring Repotting Season is Here

Don't leave it too late to start your Spring repotting.  Spring seems to be here already with many species starting to come alive.

Styling and pot selection are important considerations to best express the beauty of a bonsai.

If you are in need of some help with your styling and repotting then sign up for a 'one-on-one' workshop at The Australian Bonsai Gallery.

 Summer & Winter Pruning to Improve Branching

Swamp Cypress bonsai need some special treatment to increase branch ramification.

Specifically, Winter is the best time to organise and trim back Summers' late flush.  This sets up an even more organised Spring flush.

Allowing the first Spring flush to extend and mature before pruning will result in a greater number of buds on each branch.

For info on the importance of Summer pruning see a previous article HERE.