History of an Old Cedrus Atlantica Bonsai

At over 110cm tall this old Atlantic cedar is a prominent feature at The Australian Bonsai Gallery.  We have been refining this old cedar for the past 12 years.  

Before the Bonsai Gallery acquired it, this bonsai had been in the care of Ian Hearn for over 30 years. 

Originally a twin trunk tree purchased by Ian from Owen Melmeth in approximately 1978 on the Central Coast.  Owen acquired the Cedar from a Returned Soldiers Home near Mt Ousley where it grew on the grounds, in a concrete pot, for many years.

In 1989 the lower branching was removed.  Ian then grew it on in an old wine barrel for a number of years before transferring back into a bonsai pot.

Ian had developed and refined this bonsai, from 1978, but soon after moving to the North Coast of NSW it was clear that it needed a more suitable environment to grow well.  That is the time, 2007,  that we were fortunate enough to have taken over as the current 'care-takers'....

....... the story continues.

Old Swampy Forest Clean-up

Spring cleaning this old swampy forest.  All from tube-stock I purchased in 1981.  Still growing vigerously after being on this granite slab for over 9 years.!!

I will have to 'bite-the-bullet' next spring and do a full re-pot on it. 

There is a short clip of this bonsai forest on our Video Feeds page HERE.

Old Swamp Cypress refinement

Spring update on this old Swamp Cypress.  Further refinement, building on efforts over the past few years, is paying off with some well refined branching on this bonsai.  After a recent re-pot this tree is powering on, and will require constant pinching throughout the growing season.  

We use a high proportion of our 'home-made' Akadama in our Swamp Cypress potting mix.  We have proven that our Akadama provides the perfect substrate for optimum growth and a great buffer to prevent Summer burn in this species.

If you are interested in adding this bonsai to your collection Contact Us.

Swamp Cypress on a Rock

Said we were not going to sell any more Swamp Cypress bonsai..... BUT.... this one is up for sale now.

You will hear and read that Swamp Cypress bonsai should have a tray of water under the pot to allow them to grow properly..... well this is nothing more than a myth.  We have been growing SC for over 4 decades without a single water tray.  It is all about the soil.

Our SC soil contains a very high proportion of Akadama, a little softer that the really 'Hard' stuff.  They grow vigorously all throughout the Spring and Summer and require constant attention during this period.

This one has just had it's first 'pinch-back' for the season.

See it for sale HERE.

Some Worthy Natives to Bonsai

Strangely, I have not been very interested in bonsai Australian natives.  In fact I have had some criticism as to 'why not'.  In the past I have focussed on the 'traditional' bonsai styles and tree species.  Now I feel that I have missed out of developing some truly unique bonsai.

All is not lost, though.  I was fortunate enough to have collected many 'Yamadori' Ficus(right in picture) over 40 years ago; and developed, from seed/seedling the Dwarf Heath Casuarina (Allocasuarina-defungens - left in picture) and  Banksia-oblongifolia (centre).

The Banksia, pictured here, has just been moved into its first bonsai pot.  As you can see, it is still in development but should make a very good bonsai.

The casuarina has developed some interesting çorky bark' since the seed was collected in July-1984.

The old ficus was collected from a sandstone outcrop in 1981 where it had naturally stunted.

A word of warning about some Australian Natives......... Some species are very short lived so do your research before selecting trees for bonsai.  The last thing you want to happen is to spend 20 years developing a native bonsai and to have it die of old age in your lifetime. !!!

A Look Back over the past Year

We have a collection of video clips covering some of our work in the bonsai gallery in the past year.  See all clips

With the COVID-19 restrictions we have had to adapt to using 'Zoom' to conduct  workshops and tutorials. Soon, we hope, this will give way to some 'face-to-face' workshop events. Our Zoom workshops and tutorials have been very successful but there is no substitute for the real thing. 

 The gallery can accommodate up to 10 workshop participants. If you would like to register your interest please Contact Us.

Spring Bonsai Sale

The Bonsai Gallery has just listed more bonsai For Sale.  As promised, we are notifying all of our customers and Bonsai club members. 

See what is on offer

Classic Bonsai Sold

This beautiful old, and classic bonsai is ready for its new home after being sold to a very fortunate buyer.  Once COVID-19 border restriction are lifted this bonsai will start a new chapter in its already long history. 

If you are interested in more of the same please visit our Bonsai for Sale.

The 'perfectly imperfect' pot for a very old Trident Maple

FINALLY, after more than 40 years of development, this Trident Maple 'çutting' has been 'matched' with this Japanese Yamaaki pot by Mr.KATAOKA Sadamitsu.

I have been looking for the 'perfect' pot for this Trident Maple in the collection...... now this is it.!!

Colour, texture and shape of the pot selection is of great importance to the overall feeling of this union. 

• The oval shape complements the overall soft/rounded silhouette of the foliage. 
• The strong and 'stocky' shape of the 'lip' of the pot complements the strength of the nebari and trunk.   
• The colour and patination will also complement the mottled bark and Autumn foliage colours of the tree.

All of these factors have 'come together' here to create, well what I think, is something special.

Selling my Hedgehog

If you are looking for something truely unique to bonsai ... well this is it. 

"Cedrus libani 'Hedgehog' is a truly choice, attractive, dwarf selection of Lebanon cedar with layered, horizontally spreading branches holding exceptionally long, densely packed, rich dark Blue-green needles.'' -  The  American Conifer Society.

I have been growing on this 'Hedgehog' for many years now.   It is at the point of transition, requiring an initial styling and transfer into a smaller container.

If you are interested in this tree please do not hesitate to  Contact Us.