Author: Farrand

Technique by FarrandJan 18, 202015:44

Flowers from Korea

The challenge is to create a finished tree starting from scratch. In this series we look at creating bonsai from cuttings, grafting and other methods using interesting and unusual species. With the help of illustrations...

Technique by FarrandJan 10, 202015:13

Pruned by air

Roots are happy in pots with an air pruning function. Jens Lindworsky invented the Tie-Pot with knobs for attaching guy wires and with air root pruning, which prevents the formation of unfavourable circular growing roots....

Styling by FarrandJan 10, 202014:03

The wild one

Wild olive trees provides one of most ideal materials for bonsai. Marcial Yuste Blasco, who runs a bonsai school in Spain, prefers to work on material from the wild. For Marcial, it possesses the characteristics...

Gallery by FarrandJan 1, 202016:29

On the tatami

Bonsai placed in traditional Japanese rooms. Bonsai exhibited in traditional Japanese rooms surrounded by mountains and forests puts bonsai in the right perspective. The 10th Genkoukai exhibition is a small-scale show that renders one humble...

Technique by FarrandDec 20, 201910:16

On a tightwire?

Winding wire around a branch is easy; effective wiring is more difficult. Wiring skills by Taiga Urushibata Wiring is an indispensable skill in bonsai; it is something that needs to be used at many stages...

Step by Step by FarrandDec 13, 201921:38

Popstar bonsai

Branch development on an elm Inspired by a colourful autumn, we look at how to develop branches on deciduous trees that show seasonal colour. Guided by Master Hiroki Miura, Ayaka Yamamoto, a famous popstar in...

Masterclass by FarrandDec 6, 201912:37

As one with the tree

Hiroaki Suzuki becomes as one with the tree during the styling of a pine Young artist Hiroaki Suzuki takes on the challenge of transforming and displaying a five needle pine The aim is to change...

Harry Harrington by FarrandNov 30, 201912:24

The cornerstone

As the leaves fall in autumn, it is time to study the branch structure of the tree in detail and begin pruning This article describes the pruning of deciduous tree branches in autumn. I believe...

Styling by FarrandNov 13, 201921:48

Just cut all the branches?

How to deal with upward-growing branches on a pine Impossible material with all its branches growing upwards becomes a fine bonsai. Toshio Ogawa notes the superb movement of the lower trunk and solves the problem...

Report by FarrandNov 4, 201921:31

Red moods

Diepenbeek, Belgium, the first weekend in November 2019, the triannual show of the Eda Uchi Kai bonsai club initiated by Jean Paul Polmans. Thanks to Mario Komsta who arranged the exceptional displays and high quality […]

Fruit by FarrandNov 1, 201921:11

From chopped stump to Bonsai Art

Nearly Two Decades in the Life of a Pomegranate HISTORICAL PROFILE Scientific Name: Punica granatumCommon Names: PomegranateOrigin: The pomegranate is native from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India and has been cultivated since ancient...

Report by FarrandOct 31, 201921:43

A shari never shown

Bonsai Focus Magazine was asked to sponsor the “Best New Style” At the 7th edition of the European Bonsai-san Show in Saulieu, Bonsai Focus magazine aimed to look for a bonsai which stands out in […]

Free by FarrandOct 30, 201909:59

Kickstarter Bonsai book

Pacific Bonsai Museum launches a kickstarter book We are excited to announce that we launched our Kickstarter to publish our first-ever book about our collection: A Gallery of Trees: Living Art of Pacific Bonsai Museum. […]

Technique by FarrandOct 25, 201912:37

Heavy bending

How to bend thick branches Sometimes wire is simply not enough to bend the branch in the desired position. Here we sum up the proper techniques to make things bend smoothly. Lower a branch by...

Masterclass by FarrandOct 19, 201912:00

Puzzling it out

Manuel Germade shows us how he solves the puzzle of this juniper. You can read and watch him working on the tree. This is all about making choices. Which branch is too long, too much,...

Free by FarrandOct 16, 201921:24

Bonsai on the red carpet

An impression of the Bonsai-san Show which was held in the weekend of 12 – 13 October 2019, Saulieu, France. Guest of Honour Mauro Stemberger. Demonstrations were held by Bjorn Bjorholm (USA), Jan Culek (CZ) […]

Masterclass by FarrandOct 11, 201912:00

Hungry to learn

Salvatore Liporace reworks one of his finest bonsai. The first styling of this Juniperus chinensis ‘Sargenti’ has a long history which goes back 20 years when its top was 40 cm higher. Gradually it was...

Free by FarrandOct 10, 201915:48

Wood never Dies

Portland (USA) based woodworker, Austin Heitzman seeks inspiration from ancient trees I have been attempting bonsai for just as long as I have been a professional woodworker. When contacted about commissioning a bonsai stand, I […]

Seed by FarrandOct 7, 201917:05

The Edo cherry

The challenge is to create a finished tree starting from scratch. In this series we look at creating bonsai from cuttings, grafting and other methods from interesting and unusual species. With the help of illustrations...

Shohin by FarrandSep 27, 201921:22

Where are the roots?

Air-layer experiment. What works best: Sphagnum or a tourniquet? Yukio Hirose (Yamato-en) is up for an experiment. Which of the air layer techniques gives best results, the one that uses sphagnum only, or the technique...

Styling by FarrandSep 21, 201912:40

Tough to work on

The birch has many virtues, it can prosper in the harshest environments, but as bonsai you need to be a little more patient and gentle to achieve good results. Harry Harrington gives us his hands-on...

Styling by FarrandSep 13, 201913:33

A perfect fit for kengai

Giacomo Pappalardo shows the many variations of the cascade style One of the most dramatic styles in bonsai is the kengai, or cascade. It has many variations and its style options are almost endless. Trees...

Styling by FarrandSep 6, 201920:53

Can this become a bonsai?

Garden material can be most interesting for bonsai. It can also be very challenging because it was not really grown for bonsai purposes. Bruno checks out a garden hinoki cypress to see if it can...

Pruning by FarrandAug 30, 201912:23

The birth of new buds

In autumn you can improve the branch setting of your maple The bare branch structure is revealed and good and bad things are seen. You’ll note where node length has become too long, whether there...

Free by FarrandAug 28, 201911:37

Native species are cool

AABC Convention 2019 – Australian native species break through The AABC 2019 convention, the very first major event of its kind, focused entirely on Australian native species. The trees on display did not disappoint. Native...