Bonsai Today

Online magazine for Bonsai lovers

rigida

Report

Survivor

Bonsai or trees marked by time and climate tell a story, says Lydie Carpentier.

Grafting

A ‘needle wrap’

Grafting is a very useful technique for conifers such as junipers and pines.


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Shohin

Prickly situation

Jean-Philippe Hoareau (JP) works with the prickly juniper The needle juniper or Juniperus rigida, is a far more rugged tree than the Chinese ‘shimpaku’. Its deadwood is spikier and so is its foliage, too. You can get in a very prickly situation when working with this variety because of its…...


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Summer

Growth never stops

Maintenance work on a mountain cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) During summer you need to deal with the dead leaves formed inside the branches of this very dense-growing conifer. They are removed to prevent ‘stuffiness’. This is a mandatory task every year at this time.The appearance of the tree that Ayaka Yamamoto…...


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Technique

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 exciting styles. We will explain how to create a convincing cascade using coniferous and deciduous…...


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Shohin

Show time

Spring is the time that many bonsai shows arrive on the scene. Here are some tips to get your trees prepared. With guidance of Hiroki Miura, Japanese popstar, Ayaka Yamamoto, learns how to prepare a shohin display step by step. Changing the pot for an exhibition Beniotome is one of…...


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Display

On the tatami

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 and serene. The Genkoukai is a group of both bonsai and suisekienthusiasts who have a strong desire to study and appreciate…...


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Profile

Forced to find solutions

The only regret Manuel Germade has is the fact that he did not go to Japan much earlier. A couple of years ago he officially graduated as a bonsai Master and he now finds his way in the West exhibiting and sharing his knowledge. What was your professional education? I

Profile

On being a deshi in Shunka-en

A professional gardener, German Valentin Brose’s love of bonsai drew him to Japan to learn more about this fascinating art. So he
decided to quit his job and went to work for famous Master, Kunio Kobayashi. He soon found out that life as a student is somewhat
different ...

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