How to reduce the Yamadori rootball to fit in a Bonsai Pot
Creating an ancient look on a nursery tree that is only 15 years old
The Noelanders Trophy 2012 winners report
Collecting a Huge Yamadori Hawthorn
Enrico Savini explains what to look for when Selecting Yamadori
Escallonia Bonsai created over 5 years dug from an Urban garden
Gingko Award Winner Beech Raft created over 7 years from Poor Material
Preparing a root over rock Yew for styling by Pavel Slovak
Beautiful Old Yew from Mountain to Pot
![03274[2]](http://yamadeus.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/032742.jpg?w=479&h=261&crop=1 "03274[2]")
These images were sent to me ages ago, I have been wondering what to do with them, I do not know who sent them to me so I cannot credit the photographer (they are watermarked but I cannot make out what it is)… they are rather good and it must have take a lot of patience and skill to get them so perfectly in position
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
This Yew Tree has been in development for many years, this was the point that I needed to bring the foliage closer to the trunk. It was a nail biting experience, but the tree survived and thrived. I will be posting more about this tree later in March.
I have had this juniper for over ten years, I bought it because I wanted a Japanese Juniper in my collection, this little tree has been the most expensive tree in my garden, because I paid so much for this tree I have been reluctant to part with it, most of my collection consists of yamadori that I have collected.
This tree was originally Moyogi with set branches in a typically imported tree. However the tree suffered from vine weevil about 7 years ago and lost but one branch! It has stood in my garden looking very sorry for all this time…. In fact…many of my bonsai ‘friends’ have made fun of me for paying so much for a runt of a tree.
Some times a particular pot can stimulate an idea, this is one such pot. My friend from Holland Hans Van Meer, gave me this pot by William Vlaanderen because I believed this tree would ‘work’. The idea for this pot is Hans. I think that this runt of a tree will develop into an interesting bonsai… you saw it here first…what do you think?
Here are a few more unusual Kusamono that I have in my garden, I have used some in displays.
Photo by: Walter Pall
Bonsai Mirai is the never-ending dream of bonsai professional Ryan Neil. Through his International Bonsai Mirai garden Ryan is working to create and instruct bonsai at a higher level. Check www.bonsaimirai.com for information on classes, educational opportunities, and continual updates of Ryan’s most recent work.
I have had the pleasure of being up close with both Ryan and Randy. Two guys who are shaking up the Bonsai scene in the USA. This is a new video from the guys. All I can say is ‘WATCH THESE GUYS!” its all about QUALITY.
Andy Pearson at Stone Monkey Ceramics, is the first potter to be featured in my ‘Bonsai Potter Showcase”. I will featured a new potter once a month here on my blog, other potters that have been ‘interviewed’ to date are: John Pitt, Dan Barton and David Jones of Walsall Ceramics.
I have known Andy since his early days working in ceramics and I am fortunate to have some of his early work… including his first foray into Raku. Over the years Andy has developed a keen eye for detail, his work being very much in demand by the Shohin specialist. A great artist and I advise you to buy now as The Monkeys work will be collectable pieces in the future, as has been demonstrated with Andy’s annual ‘Collector’s Edition’ pots. Limited Edition or ‘one off’ pots that have shaken up the bonsai world with their finesse and beauty.
The Swindon Winter Image Bonsai Show 2012 has fast become a high point in the UK bonsai calendar. 2012 will go down as a milestone in UK bonsai excellence as the quality of display, excellence of trees and enthusiasm of the host club was truly superb. AND it was busy, I do not know the actually numbers through the door but there were a LOT of people at the show… it was also a great meet up of may of ‘the guys’ (and girls) from the UK Bonsai Scene… definitely THE place to be.
I had a speaking slot where I described the evolution of my Large Escallonia, John Armitage did a Shohin critique workshop and Ritta Cooper waxed lyrical about creating Kusamono and Shitakusa.
I was particularly pleased to have a compliment from Nobu Kaiwara about my cascade Prunus Spinosa, he considered it his favourite tree in the show, in particular its ‘natural’ styling and aged character… nice 
Over 100 trees were display in all their winter glory and 11 prizes handed out at the end of the event. The event main sponsor was John Pitt Bonsai Ceramics.
For a photo record of the winners take a look at Swindon & District Bonsai Blog
This is a Pine that Pavel brought over for me last November when he came to Burrs with Mirek and Jakub.
I would not normally work on a pine that had only been potted the year before however this pine was responding well PLUS I used a strong strap to hole the tree firm whilst I worked.
The major branches were first wrapped in Raffia then Self Amalgamating Rubber Tape. Minor branches only had Raffia and thin branches no protection. ONLY copper wire was used.
I tend to style from the bottom up, working each branch and positioning before I wire the next. I always have the image in my head that I wish to achieve, this process saves wiring unnecessary branches.
I decided to work the deadwood after styling as I wanted the canopy to determine the size of the deadwood. On this occasion no long jins or stylised carving, only hand tools were used.
