Category: Create

Styling by FarrandMar 15, 201920:46

RAW…and too many branches

Solving the problems on a satsuki azalea Osamu Fukudate’s (Shunkaen Bonsai Museum) first entry into the Sakkafu-ten received the Satsuki award. He also won recognition from the judges at the 43rd Nippon Bonsai Sakkafu-ten. As...

Styling by FarrandMar 8, 201916:59

Another vision

Chiharu Imai looks back on some of his remarkable works Chiharu Imai is a well-known bonsai Master in the west, famed for his sensitivity and excellence of technique. Here he looks back on some of...

Masterclass by FarrandFeb 8, 201911:02

Graphic designer goes bonsai

A graphics designer becomes a bonsai Master, which, in short, is the story of Naoki Maeoka. Having graduated from the Kouka-en nursery, he now finds his way in world of international bonsaiNaoki Maeoka (46) isn’t...

Styling by FarrandJan 27, 201915:21

Just one option

Ken Fujiwara dares to take the risk Here’s a very strange, fantastic-looking white pine, where the lower branches have died and the top has been allowed to grow wild. There are few enthusiasts who would...

Step by Step by FarrandJan 20, 201918:15

Give me space

Understanding the basics of repotting through the example of a young tree One of the big objectives in repotting is to remove a tree’s old roots to provide more space for new roots to grow...

Design Sketch by RoyJan 13, 201916:00

Off the wall

Jan Culek sketches options for the juniper of John Rigg John: ‘I had this tree in the garden for about 17 years. It has lots of curving branches with partial deadwood. I have been working...

Design Sketch by FarrandNov 18, 201810:49

Multi-trunked Colossus

Jan Culek sketches options for the yew of Coen Huisman Coen Huisman acquired this rough and bushy tree from a bonsai nursery. ‘I wondered what Jan Culek’s ideas would be for this material, which isn’t...

Masterclass by FarrandNov 4, 201810:31

Back to the future

Bjorn Bjorholm reworks the tree he styled in Japan. A bonsai is never finished, over the years it will mature, perhaps even grow out of its original style. This is what happened with a juniper...

Styling by FarrandSep 9, 201813:23

Cuabilla de Costa

Suriana, or Cuabilla de Costa as it’s known in Cuba, has well-hidden qualities, as Jorge Pensado discovered Jorge: ‘My first step in cultivating bonsai was in 1996. I was self-taught since there was a complete lack...

Masterclass by FarrandSep 8, 201817:22

Good on all sides

Dominique Bosch styles a sabina juniper Dominique Bosch, an upcoming Dutch bonsai artist, has been studying under Masters like Hotsumi Terakawa, Salvatore Liporace and Taiga Urushibata of the Taisho-En in Japan. In 2017 he was...

Step by Step by dvanoirbeekAug 29, 201814:48

Step by step with Hemlock

Teunis Jan Klein shows us how to create a medium sized bonsai in just a few steps. This time he works on hemlock (Tsuga), a variety less commonly seen as bonsai. 1. Analysis The shrub...

Masterclass by FarrandAug 18, 201812:14

Boring bonsai

Because bonsai are relatively small they get visually boring very quickly Bjorn: ‘This means that you have to have an eye for detail to avoid this happening. A slight adjustment can make a huge difference...

Step by Step by dvanoirbeekMar 19, 201819:55

Graceful fir

Abies koreana - The graceful fir is an excellent choice for bonsai

Chamaecyparis by dvanoirbeekFeb 15, 201801:05

Chamaecyparis – Just a simple line up?

Nobuichi Urushibata creates a rock planting with cheap material. Making a group planting on a rock with inexpensive material is the goal here. Bonsai Master, Nobuichi Urushibata, Taisho-en Nursery, has much expertise in growing and...

Masterclass by dvanoirbeekJan 15, 201815:53

A double life – A juniper is split up to create two separate bonsai

Minoru Akiyama is well-known for his refined work, which has been seen in many previous issues Bonsai Focus. In summer 2017 he was invited by Frank Busch, of Bonsai Park Nursery, to carry out some...

Pruning by dvanoirbeekJan 15, 201812:00

Acer buergerianum – Bonsai ‘built’ on a frame

A trident maple, grown by the frame technique

Styling by dvanoirbeekJan 15, 201800:11

Is it natural?

Harry Harrington guides you to create and use deadwood features on deciduous and broadleaf bonsai

Step by Step by dvanoirbeekJan 13, 201817:21

Cotoneaster – A friend to everyone

An extremely versatile and easily grown plant. It enables the grower to happily style away with very satisfying results. Bruno Wijman shows the amazing results after a few hours’ work. 1. Analysing the tree This...

Design Sketch by dvanoirbeekJan 1, 201816:42

Spiralling veins

Jan Culek sketches options for Max Ludwig’s juniper The tree looks quite fresh and I would like to recommend working first with the essential things for junipers — the live veins and deadwood. The trunk...

Step by Step by dvanoirbeekJan 1, 201812:48

Prunus: Create a finished tree starting from scratch

You can propagate and create bonsai from cuttings and by grafting, especially with unusual and interesting species. Here we introduce an illustrated guide from taking a cutting to a finished tree. We are creating a...

Step by Step by FarrandNov 13, 201713:23

Instant reward with Blaauw juniper

It’s almost needless to say that junipers are the most popular material for bonsai. They can withstand lots of work done in a short period of time. Available at most nurseries in all kinds...

Styles by RoyNov 9, 201712:31

Sankan-gi | Triple trunk style

Triple trunk style – This has three, five, or seven trunks of different trunk diameters growing from a single root ball. If there are three trunks of differing diameters, it is referred to as a […]

Masterclass by dvanoirbeekJul 16, 201716:29

Chopped off

Bjorn Bjorholm is challenged by a chunky pine on Mallorca. In collaboration with the Bonsai Sense Nursery, Bjorn has a bonsai school on the beautiful island of Mallorca. What would be better than to invite...

Step by Step by FarrandJul 15, 201716:44

Larch, best of both worlds

Larch is actually a mix of conifer and deciduous trees, it has best of both worlds. Its leaves change with the season from fresh green to a golden glow in autumn. It is an extremely...

Design Sketch by RoyJul 1, 201716:43

An elegant pine

Antonio Ricchiari sketches the options for the Pine of Gunther de Boeck Antonio Ricchiari passion for bonsai started in the early seventies. He is known for his many publications in bonsai magazines and writer of...