Category: Create

Free by RoyOct 22, 202111:16

A different way

The bonsai passion of Torben Brenfeldt His first encounter with bonsai was not very positive, but Torben Brenfeldt was determined to master the art — in particular the art of shohin. What was your professional...

This content is for Free, Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Shohin by FarrandOct 21, 202115:01

The shohin geisha’s

The meaning and thought behind the display of shohin, or Seki-kazari Morten Albek takes time to go through some of the shohin displays from the World Bonsai Convention in Japan, held in spring of 2017....

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Masterclass by FarrandOct 21, 202111:23

Can Kimura dance with a shari?

Masahiko Kimura rearranges the foliage around a dancing shari Exploring the artistic sensitivity of Mr Kimura, we take a look at the material he will work on. The transformation is not tremendously dramatic, however the...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Technique by FarrandOct 15, 202115:41

A wooden base?

A practical case study of trident maple by Andrea Meriggioli Andrea: I want to show you how correct timing and techniques may turn initially poor material into a good tree you can work on over...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Styling by FarrandOct 14, 202112:18

Intimidated by its age

François Jeker styles a venerable 500-year-old Buxus ‘When about to style an impressive old Buxus like this, you are so intimidated that you approach it with trembling hands . . . Over the years, though,...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Styling by FarrandOct 8, 202116:41

How to ‘crack’ a white pine

Masayuki Fujikawa transforms a white pine by changing the angle and compacting an elongated trunk. One of the best characteristics of this tree is the aged appearance of the bark, making it look as though...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Design Sketch by RoyOct 8, 202116:05

The Southern

Serge Clémence sketches options for the oak of Kai Kempf The oak (Quercus pubescens) or downy oak, shown here is a fine tree and very interesting, native to southern Europe and Southwest Asia. Downy oaks...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Shohin by RoyOct 1, 202114:30

Regular fit

Alexsandre Escudero works on a tiny Itoigawa juniper An average juniper can be changed into something interesting, you just need to have a vision and opt for doing something different to make it less regular....

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Shohin by FarrandSep 24, 202111:59

The new big

Koji Hiramatsu works on a black pine Shohin and the slightly larger Kifu-sized bonsai have become ever more popular. This because they are much easier to enjoy and appreciate compared with the larger trees and...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Masterclass by FarrandSep 24, 202110:45

No bonsai stays the same

Working on a very ancient and treasured juniper, Chiharu Imai realises that no bonsai stays the same and so he respectfully gives the tree a new shape for the future.

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Case History by RoySep 10, 202116:12

Like a virgin…

François Jeker looks back on 19 years' evolution of his mugo pine.

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Technique by FarrandSep 10, 202114:21

Like Frankenstein?

Shigeo Ebihara’s unbelievable method of trunk shortening This operation on an old maple took more than four and a half years to complete. The tree has one major fault that is impossible to solve using...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Case History by FarrandSep 2, 202115:10

The tree with no name

Nacho Marín works on a tree giving both power and delicacy This tree variety with its special forms shaped by nature and the large amount of deadwood juxtaposing with its delicate foliage, has been Nacho’s...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Technique by FarrandAug 27, 202115:42

Kengai

How to make a cascade-style bonsai A kengai or cascade is inspired by trees found in harsh mountainous conditions, growing on rocky cliffs. It is this which makes it one of the most dramatic and...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Workshop by FarrandAug 20, 202116:46

One became two

Martin Nielsen divides a Japanese maple into two new trees Martin describes his work with a Japanese maple where one tree becomes two. It’s a tree with a fine nebari grown from a seed in...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Shohin by RoyAug 20, 202115:10

Turbo grower

The virtues of the fast-growing Potentilla

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Styling by FarrandAug 20, 202112:30

This one?

Jörg Derlien’s all too familiar struggle to find the right pot fit for his larch The larch depicted here, a Larix decidua, was acquired in 2009 and obtained from the Alpine region of Wallis in...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Masterclass by FarrandAug 13, 202109:58

Can it grow upside down?

To get the best results Masahiko Kimura flips a juniper upside down Just turn it upside down, a brilliant idea, which for many would be an impossible option; not so for Masahiko Kimura Another upside...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Styling by FarrandAug 12, 202110:56

All-American pine

Bjorn Bjorholm works on a pine grown from seed Bjorn gives an initial styling to a more than 50-year-old pine, grown from seed. This classic informal upright bonsai has a long and much told history...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Step by Step by RoyAug 6, 202117:29

Wishful rooting

How to make an air layer.

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Technique by FarrandJul 30, 202116:06

The branch doctor

Master Oota is the expert on grafting new branches on junipers From grafting branches to finishing a tree and his selection of famous needle junipers, these are trees that have been created by Nobuharu Oota...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Video by FarrandJul 23, 202115:23

Just too long

Jan Culek copes with a tree that is almost impossible to style The pine Jan has chosen to work on (Pinus sylvestris) hasn’t the most ideal branch setting and trunk shape. It is a clump...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Workshop by FarrandJul 16, 202112:23

Upside down

From moyogi to kengai, Martin Nielsen can’t wait to try I got this tree some years ago from one of my old bonsai friends, Kurt Andersen. It’s a locally native tree, Juniperus communis of approximately...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Technique by FarrandJul 15, 202116:39

Doing the opposite

Instead of compacting and downsizing, David Soto opens and unfolds cramped branches We are used to seeing how branches and trunks are bent to bring the green areas closer to the interior, compress them and...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Case History by FarrandJul 11, 202112:51

A matter of taste?

Bartosz Warwas takes a garden centre Juniperus squamata to the big bonsai show This juniper will probably forever remain the least valuable, yet most important tree in my collection. You probably can guess why it’s...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Shohin by FarrandJul 10, 202115:07

A powerhouse

Mike Lane gives an in-depth look at the venerable Sea Hibiscus An unassuming bonsai subject at first glance, the sea hibiscus appears to lack any of the desirable traits we pursue when looking for good...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Shohin by FarrandJul 2, 202112:31

Fine and fiddly

Yukio Hirose guides you through the defoliation and wiring of maples and elms Yukio Hirose: ‘First I will introduce this tree, a trident maple (Acer buergerianum) that is halfway through its development. The reason for...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Shohin by FarrandJul 1, 202116:29

Can you feel it?

Yukio Hirose creates the windswept style from a juniper Hirose Yukio is a shohin expert who shows you here how to create from simple material, a tree shaped by the wind The material that Yukio...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Styling by FarrandJun 25, 202112:15

Left or right?

A rare Satsuki azalea is restyled

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Technique by FarrandJun 24, 202114:57

Between life and death

Carving juniper deadwood with Master Kunihiko Kanemitsu Kunihiko Kanemitsu, of the Okayama City Kanemitsu Bonsai Studio, presents a dramatic contrast between life and death within the confines of a pot. Natural raw material is almost...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Video by FarrandJun 18, 202115:54

No beating about the bush

A very bushy juniper for Mauro Stemberger to style It was January 2020 when I arrived at the small city of Marostica at the foot of the Italian Alps for a demo with Mauro Stemberger....

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Technique by FarrandJun 10, 202116:40

Trick of the master

Grafting techniques taught by bonsai Masters to improve your bonsai These techniques can all boosts the quality of your bonsai. Grafting, approach grafting and some simple bending are are just a few of the options...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Free by RoyMay 28, 202113:00

Douglas fir

Douglas fir is flexible and has amazing small needles Seen less often, the Douglas fir has real potential for bonsai. Dominique Bosch discovers the virtues step by step. A fir that is not a fir...

This content is for Free, Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Shohin by FarrandMay 27, 202122:01

Grow ’em yourself

Nobuichi Urushibata shows how you can use juniper cuttings In Japan, material for shohin is mostly grown from cuttings, seed or by air layering. The junipers shown here come from cuttings, which is one of...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Styling by FarrandMay 13, 202115:02

Get rid of undesirable features

Masayuki Fujikawa transforms boring material into a semi cascade Masayuki Fujikawa: ‘The tree shown here is too big to be considered a chuhin, but the idea is not to make it a chuhin for the...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Case History by FarrandMay 7, 202116:01

A masterpiece tree has no front

A juniper masterpiece more dead than alive, is totally restored ‘Garyuu’, the history and Kakuryu-an. The oldest photographic record of this tree is from 1962 when it was featured in the auction catalogue for the...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Styling by FarrandApr 30, 202116:48

Too obvious?

A semi-cascade for this oak was so logical René Alber: ‘This huge, but compact cork oak (Quercus suber) is ready for styling. The trunk is massive, has a wonderful curving movement and a fantastic corky...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Free by FarrandApr 23, 202111:09

An old friend

Update: Amigos of the tejos A small peek back at a tree created in 2010 by Kevin Willson. During the XX Trophy, held in February 2019, we came across an old friend, a yew styled...

This content is for Free, Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Shohin by FarrandApr 20, 202115:00

Only the little ones

The famous Gafu Ten, which only shows the best shohin from Japan...

This content is for Free, Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now

Masterclass by FarrandApr 9, 202121:37

Amigos of the tejos

How to transform a ‘pig’ of a tree into a breathtaking cascade Kevin Willson had a few years stay in sunny Alicante, Spain, where marvellous material can be found. Dug from the surrounding mountains are...

This content is for Basic, Plus, and Premium members only.
Log In Join Now