Bonsai Today

Online magazine for Bonsai lovers

aluminium

Step by Step

The most popular 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....


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Technique

Split in two

Yoshihiko Moriyama's transformation of a juniper by using an electric saw


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Grafting

Walking branches

When Andrea Meriggioli dived into the fascinating world of the Japanese maple, he learned all the techniques of how to prune, grow and maintain.


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Shohin

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. The tree I will work with is very commonly seen as bonsai, a purpose-grown juniper…...


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Technique

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 over the years using natural material. Using his expert skills he creates a bonsai that…...


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Shohin

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 bonsai candidates. I had overlooked this abundant material myself, during my initial years in bonsai…....


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Masterclass

Is it a gamble?

Masahiko Kimura is challenged by a huge yew. In a corner of Masahiko Kimura’s bonsai nursery is a yew planted in the ground. The trunk is slender and of a feminine appearance. The top section has great potential as bonsai, both from a deadwood perspective and branch placements. If air…...


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Tree guide

Adenium

Jerome Kellerhals’ bonsai garden is in sunny Florida, where he mainly works on semi-tropicals. The Ademium, or desert rose, is one of his favourites and, surprisingly, has much to offer as material for bonsai. I am going to talk about the styling and caring of Adenium. It contains about 12

Styling

Don’t hide

The hollow trunk of a Satsuki is made to be a feature rather than hidden Takahiro Yamazaki (Yamazaki Satsuki-en, Nasushiobara City) works on a damaged, but characteristic azalea. The material, a Satsuki azalea that Takahiro Yamazaki will style, has a hollow section in the lower trunk and lots of damage…...


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Technique

Let’s wire!

We all know that wiring is essential, so you had better learn to love it if you want great results. Let’s make wiring enjoyable! We will look at wiring with aluminium wire for the benefit of both advanced enthusiasts and beginners. Like any technique, it becomes easier with practice and…...


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Step by Step

Too dominant at the top

The charm of the Fagus crenata – Japanese beech The Japanese beech is always an exhibition eye catcher. Its smooth grey-white bark and muscled trunk give the tree a most majestic appearance. Easy to work on, as seen in this example. With just a little pruning and wiring you can…...


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Styling

Is this a satsuki?

Satsuki specialist Tadao Tabata saw bonsai potential in the many trunks In a field at the base of Mount Akagi more than a thousand satsuki were planted and then grown wild. Two years ago this tree was lifted from the field and now, in its third year, it is ready…...


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Design Sketch

The ‘wire’ tree

Although it seemed completely wired and styled, this juniper still looks like a wild bush. What it needs is a totally different approach to get it just right. Jan Culek explains. For the possible future design of this juniper, I decided to tilt it to the right side. This new…...


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