You never know what you are going to find

Re-potting a bonsai tree, although not hard, is sometimes an adventure, and you never know what you are going to find when you lift that plant out of its container. If it has been a while since you re potted you may find a bunch of brown roots wrapped around themselves and the inside of the pot. You may also find that most of these roots are of poor quality and very dry with voids in the soil. Some of these roots may even be rotten. Or, you may get very lucky and find healthy roots. It is always an adventure.

When do we repot? Re potting is done at three different times. Most common for beginners is the re potting from a nursery pot to bonsai training pot. The second instance is from a bonsai training pot to a finish bonsai pot, and lastly and most common for bonsai enthusiast is the 2 year maintenance re potting. For the purpose of this article we will focus on the second. The change from a bonsai training pot to a finish bonsai pot.
Before lifting your plant out of the training pot, disconnect the wires that are holding the plant to the pot AND the wires that hold the drain screens.

This is best done by clipping the wires from the bottom of the pot. Wire is cheap and the damage that can be done to fine roots by trying to untwist wire is not worth the chance so just cut the wires. Secondly, take a root knife and cut or scrape around the inside edge of the pot to loosen any roots that may be holding on to the pot. Gently tap the sides of the pot with the wood end of the root knife and gently hold the plant as you tip the pot upside down. The plant should simply fall into your hands. If it doesn’t, push your finger through the drain holes to make sure the old wire isn’t still holding. Continue Reading »

What is Shohin Bonsai?
Shohin is the Japanese word for “a-tiny-thing.”

According to Morten Albek, a Europen arthorty on the subject of Shohin Bonsai the basic rules are as follows. “The basic rules are demanding that the Shohin-bonsai may not be higher than 25cm (that’s 10 inches) when measured from rim of the pot, to the top of the tree.
But, at the same time it has to be said, that these measures and rules, has to be taken with a bit of laziness.”

The majority of shohin-bonsai found at bonsai shows measure approximately 20 cm / 8 inches in height. However, a slim and elegant flowering Quince will easily override the limit in height but still be considered a Shohin.

The Shimpaku Juniper shown here is owned by Bob Jardinico and is only about 6 inches in width and 3″ in height. The age of the tree is about 15 years but in Shohin age is not a s big a factor as ramification and style.

“Bonsai is imagination and fantasy. You can’t just scale down a big tree, and put it in a pot. You have to paint the visions held in peoples’ minds.” Morten Albek

Should a Shohin bonsai look like a big tree that has been scaled down?

Yes and No, the viewer has to think he sees a miniature version of the big tree but the bonsai artist must “paint the image” with a minimum of materials. I know I quote Mr. Albek frequently but his knowledge of the subject and grasp of the artistic principals is amazing.

From his Shohin Europe website; ” Open spaces and few leaves have to suggest the crown of the tree. The small trunk carries the soul of the tree and suggests the size, age and living conditions. A few roots will be enough to show that the tree is well secured in the ground. The entire story must be told with less material than is normal for larger bonsai. This constraint demands something more from both the artist and from the audience: imagination.

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As our name implies, WCB is located in Riverside, Southern California basically on the outer edge of the San Bernardino Mountains.  Our summertime temps are in the high 90’s -105 during most of the summer, with a slightly cool Fall and Winter temps that drop into the low 40’s - 32 degrees at night. Because of this we really don’t get a winter die off of any pests. Our biggest problem is Pine Bark Beatles.

Following is a list of known pest that may damage your pine bonsai, most are just a nuisance and can be easily treated. I hope you find this useful. Continue Reading »

Keep your tools clean.– As with all tools, cleanliness is important and insures the continued proper function of your tools. Shears or knob cutters with built up sap or cut paste will not cut correctly and may even damage the portion of the tree you are cutting. Jining tools or grafting knives with sap built up will not only stick when cutting but may also cause an accident.  At a recent monthly bonsai class that I have been attending I heard the master scold a student for having dirty tools, NOT the kind of impression you want your teacher to have about your work ethic. Keep your tools clean. Continue Reading »