Birdbaths are an essential part of our gardens and Bonsai Gallery due to the very dry conditions.  Just had to stop work in the gallery to record this clip of silvereyes in one of our birdbaths.  This species migrates all the way from Tasmania !!  A mighty effort for such a tiny bird.

Development and refinement of the Japanese Black Pine is not a daunting process.

At the Australian Bonsai Gallery we get a large number of visiting bonsai enthusiasts who say they avoid the JBP because they are difficult to bonsai. 

Nothing could be further from the truth. The JBP is one of the easiest species to develop and refine.  All you need to do is:

• firstly, field grow your JBP.  They grow rapidly and develop their 'oldish' looking bark quickly in the ground.
• They transfer to training pot/bonsai pot is easy. 
• ... and the refinement process involves some very simple processes.  We have put together a concise description of the refinement process HERE.  It outlines the 'simple process together with a time-line for the corresponding fertilising program.

The gallery has some developed JBP FOR SALE that are ready for the refinement process.  They represent good value for those who want to practice these processes.

This Japanese Black Pine was in the catalogue, for sale, as a stock plant.  It has just been re-worked and is now for sale again as a bonsai. 

It has been roughly shaped in the 'slant style' and would make a great development project for any bonsai artist.

This one, along with many others, on sale here

This Japanese White Pine is one of the last trees to come out of our field development area.  Only another two massive Cork Barked Elms to be lifted.

This one will go on sale once it has settled in to its' training pot.  Keep an eye on our For Sale Page.

This old Swamp Cypress was developed from tube stock I purchased in 1981.  Such a long time ago... developed in my field beds over many years, transferred to a large training pot, and eventually into this bonsai pot.

It is difficult to explain the attachment I have to my old bonsai... and probably seems very odd to others.  Bonsai has become much much more than a 'hobby' to me now..... again, difficult to explain.

The 'up-side' to this is that my bonsai will eventually have a 'history', and with each bonsai I sell that history will become richer as, so far, all sales have gone to great homes.

NB.... still have some bonsai for sale

Finally looking like a true bonsai.  This old, hachi-uye, Black Pine developed a very strong 'second flush' last Summer resulting in up to five shoots from each candle cut.... producing many shoots with very small needle length.

Now, after needle thinning, bud selection and wiring, I am happy to call it a BONSAI.

Notice the 'unwilling worker' added just for scale.

NB.... still have some bonsai for sale

Two more old bonsai ready to go to their new home. !!

We have been delighted to have sold so many old bonsai to responsible and talented artists. 

Many bonsai have been sold from the gallery; and many more are being offered progressively, as they are prepared for sale.  For those interested in adding to their collections see what is on offer HERE.

 We took this pic at Shunka-en in 2016.  This Goyo-Matsu is about the oldest 'methuselah' I have seen.  It is, suprisingly, in a training box !!

Don't know if it is named.  If anyone can let me know if it is named ......please.  

There are many images of Kobayashi bonsai but I don't recall ever seeing this one before.  It is such an inspirational old bonsai with so many design lessons within it's form.

Impossible to 'take it all in' in a single visit to Shunka-en Bonsai Museum. So many high quality bonsai in the one place.  It was an absolute overload to the senses.

The hospitality shown by its owner, Kunio Kobayashi, ..... just as impressive and humbling. 

I was naive enough to think that I had some large Goyo Matsu..... then I saw these at Kato san's nursery in Omiya village.