Bonsai Today

Online magazine for Bonsai lovers

wiring

Step by Step

A moyogi juniper

This less than pretty juniper has hidden potential; its almost bare trunk has enough foliage to make an elegant bonsai


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Technique

Informal approach with Ligustrum

How to create bonsai from cuttings, grafting and other methods using interesting and unusual species. This time we are working with privet, Ligustrum.


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Masterclass

Can you restyle a Bonsai masterpiece?

Masayuki Fujikawa takes things further by transforming a masterpiece

It is said that a tree displayed at Kokufu has reached a point of completion in a long journey. As the tree grows, finds a new owner, or an artist to care for it, the viewpoint of the tree will gradually change

Step by Step

Options for a Pinus sylvestris

The Scots pine is a very popular pine variety to work with. It's a vigorous grower and is tolerant to bending and wiring...


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Tree guide

Pinus sylvestris

In the wild, a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) matures naturally into the same style as a bonsai literati with branches spreading horizontally below its flattened apex.


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Technique

Split in two

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


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Step by Step

Just Clip and grow?

Hawthorn, or Crataegus, is a great subject for bonsai. Easy growing and very forgiving when mistakes are made. It will send out multiple new shoots, giving you plenty of opportunity to grow new branches.


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Propagating

Ikadabuki

How to create bonsai from cuttings, grafting and other methods using interesting and unusual species. With the help of illustrations we will see how to take a piece of material through to its completion. This time we are working with crab apple, Malus zumi


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Masterclass

At your own risk

Italian, Alessandro Bonardo, now 24, has been an apprentice under Mr Kimura for 6 years and in May 2022, it was formally announced that he had graduated. Within the garden he is affectionately known as Aless. Mr Kimura prepared a tree, an unusually shaped Miyajima white pine for this demo,

Styling

Taming the wild

It is really easy to create a magnificent bonsai if you start from raw material with great potential. There are those trees that at first glance already have the right look. You only have to use the appropriate techniques to make that tree into a high-level bonsai.


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Spring

The key branch

The material used here is a Satsuki. It is a twin trunk and there are two apicies, but without a clear and obvious overall direction. The first thing to do will be to determine the front of the tree and work from there.


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Masterclass

The crazy rock

Something completely different: Mauro Stemberger creates the rock pine


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Technique

Chirimen kazura

How to create bonsai from cuttings, grafting and other methods using interesting and unusual species...


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Shohin

Is this all?

Hiroki Miura works on a Chinese juniper

At first glance, the featured juniper has great looks; however, Hiroki Miura shows us that when we take a closer look, the tree is really a bit dull . . .


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Propagating

Giant Itabi

How to create bonsai from cuttings: This time we are working with Giant itabi (Ficus thunbergii)


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Masterclass

Time for change

Restyling a famous tree into something new is difficult work and an artist must stake their reputation on it


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Case History

So Immature

Harry Harrington explains the progression of a Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)


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Styling

The Grim

Bruno Proietti Tocca philosophises about his work on a savin juniper


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Case History

Broken sails

Masahiko Kimura restores a very old juniper


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