Advanced articles
The articles in this section have been written by well-known Bonsai artists, who were invited to submit an article on any advanced bonsai topic of their choice. The result is a collection of articles with great insights in advanced techniques. Enjoy reading!
Brazilian Rain tree Bonsai progression
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- Written by Budi Sulistyo
In the tropics, especially in South and South East Asia, there is a giant rain tree called Samanea saman that grows as a beautiful gigantic tree giving shades to a large area under it. It has been a long time I thought of having a bonsai of that tree, but it was impossible due to the tree has large leaves.
A native of Central- and South America the Brazilian Rain tree is considered one of the tropical world's most beautiful and also one of the most popular bonsai subjects.
Small-leaved Cotoneaster Styling
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- Written by Harry Harrington
This is a chapter from Harry Harrington's forthcoming book, available Spring 2012.
Contrary to the belief that yamadori or wild trees are the only source of wonderfully old and gnarled bonsai, some of the best material can be found in our own back yards. Private gardens can yield domesticated trees and shrubs whose size and form have been shaped for anything up to 50 to a 100 years. The repeated pruning or even the repeated damage from human activity over a long period of time can give rise to material that is relatively small in height but with a big fat and very interesting trunk, all features that are excellent as material for bonsai.
Great Bonsai trees require great trunks
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- Written by Jelle Ferwerda
The title being a given, the question that quickly arises is; “What makes a trunk great?” and only marginally second comes the question: “How do we create a great trunk?”. In order to grow great trunks and have some control over the shape, taper and thickness one should have some basic understanding of how plants grow, and in particularly, the function of the trunk. Note that this article is an in-depth extension to the introductory bonsai trunk article.
The Grow and Clip Method
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- Written by Sandy Wong
Lingnan penjing artists prune trees with the “Grow and Clip” method. By using this pruning method, penjing artists do not use much, if any, of the wiring technique when training and styling his/her trees, but simply keep clipping the branches as they grow.
The Synergy of Magical Miniature Landscapes
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- Written by Robert J. Baran
"Bonsai" is a term for the Japanese art of designing dwarfed trees in shallow containers. "Penjing" is the older Chinese form that often has wilder-looking trees and landscapes in pots. These two are the most common forms of what we call magical miniature landscapes, a group of arts that are philosophically-related. When examined closely, this particular group of creations can also be seen as related to some other human endeavors.
Styling a Giant Sequoia from nursery stock
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- Written by Craig Coussins
About Craig Coussins' relations with the Giant Sequoia.
The Giant Sequoia. When I was ill with Cancer back in 2000 I made the pilgrimage to Sequoia National Park in California. My wife asked me what I wanted to do before I died. (Well in case I died) I wanted to see the Giant Sequoias and do the worlds highest Bungee.. When we finally got there I managed to walk up the steep hill from the lower car park. It was winter and the shuttle bus was not running. It really was very difficult for me and having been through months of Chemo., I was not at all as fit as I would have liked to be for this journey. I went up to see these great trees and they inspired me enormously. That grove holds a special place in my heart. I am sure that being with these wonderful trees helped me in many positive ways.
Pinus Sylvestris in Ikadabuki (Raft) style
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- Written by Stefano Frisoni
In the year 2005, it happened that through a very good friend of mine I was able to see some pictures of sales materials. I was looking for a Pinus Sylvestris able to fly off my collection and to provoke emotions, the less artificial possible, remaining enchanted every time I looked through it. I was shocked immediately by this exemplar for its maturity due to the ages of cultivation in vase and for its style (ikadabuki) very rare and suggestive.
My compliments go to the previous owner Peter Brown, for excellent cultivation all over these years, and to Gordon Duffet for the magnificent vase.
A 4 years-long renoval; Quercus ilex Bonsai
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- Written by Stefano Frisoni
Every day we have objectives to catch up trying to arrive to the goal in the best possible way searching for old and new experiences that could teach and guide us without errors on this route. This is a short story where technique, cultivation and passion render this Quercus ilex a Bonsai ready for a maturation path made of goals to reach with time, without haste and with great respect.
From tree to Bonsai; styling a Cupressus sempervirens tree
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- Written by Stefano Frisoni
When we work on a Yamadori, we must remember and respect the great work that Nature did with it. We do always arrive after her.... Cultivation, cures and the elevation of its beauty is what we do when a Tree takes the path of Bonsai.
I do repute this Cupressus Sempervirens to be a Nature's work of art for its unusual style, for its character and for the force it releases. The art of the Nature joins our own art, so that we can create a well-esteemed Bonsai for the years to come.
Yamadori: Shohin Bonsai
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- Written by John Romano
Ones first image when thinking of ‘yamadori’ bonsai is of a large tree discovered in the mountains with an ancient twisted trunk, shari and jin and beautiful cultivated foliage. One does not at first think of a yamadori shohin bonsai.
There are yamadori style shohin shimpaku that are cultivated to appear as their larger brothers and sisters in the mountains. Some of these are fantastic with all the elements of naturally created yamadori.