It was a real treat for me to attend Bonsai by the Harbour this June, not only because it was the first time I’d ever been able to attend this event, but also because our previously wet and cold winter managed to turn on a perfect, sunny day for the Saturday I was there. The venue was a spectacularly peaceful spot for starters and attendees were in for a great day of all things ‘bonsai’, as well!

The peaceful bay which formed the backdrop for the event

During the morning session Scott Martin (owner of Bonsai Matsu in Melbourne) worked on the restyling of an advanced black pine.

He removed a lot of excess foliage and planned a change in the angle of the tree. When it’s next repotted, its placement in the pot will be altered accordingly.

Sam Thompson, the Assistant Curator of the National Bonsai & Penjing Collection since 2017, worked on an advanced group setting of natives in the morning. They needed a lot of pruning and reshaping.

The setting transformed to something beautiful and graceful.

The setting was auctioned and a very happy BSA member won the bidding and is now the new custodian of this handsome group.