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Evidence of good pot design is visible in the root development in this Japanese Black Pine. No roots circling the pot due to the vertical striations on the sides of th pot.
This design seems to be the exception rather than the rule in bonsai pot design, particularly important in round bonsai pots.
Good to see this old Sequoia sempervirens in a much better pot. The pot is a large oval Tokoname Yamakou-gama - 山晃釜
It is no easy task to repot this monster as the root growth is outrageous.!! Two years in it's old pot has seen an explosion of fine matted roots. You would think that this bonsai had been in this pot for more that twice the time it has.
This bonsai started it's journey as a tube-stock seedling more that 45 years ago. It has always been in the gallery collection and was field grown for only about 4 years.
This is the first Japanese Black Pine Slab Planting in 48 years at The Australian Bonsai Gallery. The inspiration for this planting came from a visit to the Hikone Castle garden, 'Genkyu-en' on Lake Biwa Japan.
Most certainly not a copy of this huge black pine but an inspiration none the less.
My black pine is well over 40 years old but I would say that you could add a zero to the age of the Genkyu-en pine.
Don't leave it too late to start your Spring repotting. Spring seems to be here already with many species starting to come alive.
Styling and pot selection are important considerations to best express the beauty of a bonsai.
If you are in need of some help with your styling and repotting then sign up for a 'one-on-one' workshop at The Australian Bonsai Gallery.
Swamp Cypress bonsai need some special treatment to increase branch ramification.
Specifically, Winter is the best time to organise and trim back Summers' late flush. This sets up an even more organised Spring flush.
Allowing the first Spring flush to extend and mature before pruning will result in a greater number of buds on each branch.
For info on the importance of Summer pruning see a previous article HERE.
Winter bud selection and pruning of deciduous bonsais has started at The Australian Bonsai Gallery.. Very important Winter bonsai job to thin out buds to two only and to reduce conjestion at the tips of branches.
Spring growth will be finer and better balanced and will help to prevent thickening of tertiary branches.
It is now 1.5mtrs high with a 30cm nebari.!! The foliage layers have been further refined through careful needle thinning and bud selection every Winter.
This bonsai is for sale to anyone who wishes to make a statement in their garden centre or home bonsai garden. It would also make an excellent Niwaki.
For more images and details go to our For Sale page.
The last of three large Japanese Black Pines var.mikawa finally re-worked. A new front to highlight the large nebari and show off that mikawa bark and large trunk line.
This old Black Pine is from the collection of Ian Hearn. It has been re-worked and is now in the Australian Bonsai Gallery collection in Dorrigo.
The image below shows some of the transformation.
Scroll down to view a short clip highlighting the nebari, trunk and old bark.
The Australian Bonsai Gallery workshops continue with great success as we move to an individual student program.
We now offer greater value to our students with this intensive program and the gallery is starting to see a greater number of return students as they progress through their bonsai journey.
The workshops are totally focused on the needs and asperations of the individual student resulting in a high level of satisfaction for both the student and teacher.
Find out more or sign up for a workshop tailored to your needs HERE.
It is very strange to see the Gallery Swamp Cypress still holding their Autumn colours. This is the first year that this has happened in the some 43-45 years of their lives.!
This example has been developed in the 'Sequoia' style and has been criticized for it for some time now for not being trained 'true to species'.
There are many books and articles written about how to train swampys' the "correct way" with a mature broad crown and very few lower branches.
There are some very good examples of this style but personally I like to express our Swamp Cypress in a different way.
If you have any thoughts/opinions on this subject please let me know.!!!
