Newcomers may shudder at the way we attack figs in October, cutting back hard and defoliating. The process actually traumatised one visitor some years ago but it is the way figs are treated. I was visiting a friend and saw a fig in a pot growing into the ground. It was about 1.5 metres high […]
Defoliation techniques for Ficus bonsai help refine the tree, improve its structure, and encourage balanced growth. An added benefit is that defoliation allows you to better see branch and trunk lines, enabling improved design assessment of what requires wiring, adjusting, or removal. Wiring is also easier to perform on a defoliated tree. To defoliate a
Jarryd has practised bonsai from 12 years old, completed an apprenticeship with Michael Hagedorn (Crataegus Bonsai) and now operates Montane Bonsai Garden (http://www.montanebonsai.com) on the northern slopes of Mt Wellington in Hobart. Whether refining advanced nursery stock, yamadori or unusual or difficult stock, Jarryd brings the best out of all material.
September had quite a few windy days, which have continued into October, so hopefully you’ve all been able to manage the demands of your trees to keep them healthy and thriving. I repotted several junipers last month, and it’s been challenging regularly spraying the foliage to increase humidity and prevent the trees drying out or
So, after some time nurturing and styling your bonsai, the time has come when you think it has reached a stage where you would like to put it on display for others to appreciate what you have achieved. At this stage, presentation is very important to make your bonsai look its best regardless of whether
We are very pleased to announce that Marija Hajdic will be visiting Sydney in early October and will conduct two workshops and a demonstration for BSA (a full day workshop on Monday 6/10 and a shorter workshop on Tuesday 7/10 before our demonstration that night). It is very exciting to have such an accomplished bonsai
Jason Pomfret (known online as Backyard Bonsai Australia) has been involved with bonsai since his early teens, returning to the art more seriously in his late 20s and early 30s. Now 46, bonsai has become a central part of his life. For the past three years Jason has been fully immersed at Unryu-en Bonsai, working
I have had several distractions this last month, including minor surgery, so I haven’t given my trees as much attention as I normally do at this time of year. It’s okay to sometimes have a break from repotting if you normally keep everything up to date, although it’s important to never let your trees get
Everyone who participated enjoyed Tony’s workshops in early June. Tony is so knowledgable and engaging, it is always a pleasure to work with him. Trees ranged from small to large, developing to refined and all were improved by the end of the day. New skills and techniques were learned. Thank you to Paulette for being
As always, the Australian Plants as Bonsai Show, at the National Botanical Gardens in Canberra, was a wonderful display of native bonsai. It is always inspiring to see. Below are a selection of trees with their catalogue descriptions. 19 Ti tree Leptospermum grandifolium Tree age 23 years Styled since 2004 Pot by Roger Hnatiuk The
