Nebari is a Japanese word which refers to the area where the lower trunk meets the roots of the tree. Species such as maples and pines are noted for strong surface roots so a good bonsai of one of those species should also show great nebari. Here’s a way to create better nebari in your developing bonsai. Continue reading
It is now winter at Shibui bonsai and the trees have finally dropped their leaves so it is time to start digging the grow beds and see what I have produced this year.
If you have not seen my method for developing root over rock bonsai, or need a reminder, try this link. growing root over rock bonsai Continue reading
Now that the deciduous trees have lost their leaves it is much easier to see the trunk shape and branch structure so I have started my winter pruning. This post shows how I prune younger trees to make a better start to a future bonsai. Continue reading
The first junipers I put into the grow beds were just allowed to grow freely. The result was stiff, straight branches that provided little inspiration, or opportunity, to create the sort of dynamic ‘wild’ junipers we see in Japanese literature.
About the same time Joe, nichigobonsai was talking about his experiences working in a Japanese bonsai nursery where they wired and bent large numbers of small junipers to start another batch of shohin twisted junipers. His comments showed me that junipers need to be treated differently to the other species I grow in order to produce inspirational bonsai stock. Continue reading
In many parts of Australia the weather is too mild to activate really good autumn colour in our deciduous trees but at Shibui Bonsai in the foothills of North East Victoria we are blessed with a climate that favours deciduous trees.
gingko with weeping cherry and maples in the background
The 4th annual Australian Plants as Bonsai symposium was a great event. The fledgling Native bonsai club in Melbourne did a great job organising and scheduling and the venue worked well. As well as the speakers and workshops for symposium delegates there was a display of native bonsai with some awesome trees on show. I didn’t have time to take any photos but Gerard has posted both photos and descriptions of all the trees on Ausbonsai – http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19796 You’ll have to sign in to view the pictures. Continue reading
The 2015 national syposium will be held for the first time in Melbourne. Registrations for the seminar have closed but there is also a display of Australian Natives as Bonsai which will be open to the public. http://www.vicnativebonsai.com.au/p/blog-page.html
I will be in Melbourne April 11 and 12 to attend this symposium. Already some clients have asked me to bring down stock for sale or delivery. If you’ve been looking at some of the trees in the catalogue and wondering what they really look like here’s a good opportunity. I’m happy to bring down trees for you to inspect – no obligation to purchase if you’re not completely satisfied. Just let me know which trees you are interested in. I currently have a few larger azaleas in poly boxes and 30 cm pots that were collected prior to garden renovations.
For the native bonsai enthusiasts I have a range of banksias, callistemon and other natives species in 10 and 15 cm pots and a few larger trees either field grown or collected. Please email if you think you might be interested. neil@shibuibonsai.com.au
I know some bonsai growers stick to the tried and true traditional bonsai species but here at Shibui Bonsai I am always trying new species and varieties. I have had some success propagating some less well known species that should be suitable as bonsai. If anyone else would like to try I have smaller starters only available. Continue reading
This trident maple featured in this post was grown from 3 separate seedlings. They were planted close and held together until the separate trunks grafted themselves into a single trunk at the base. Multi trunk bonsai are not particularly common because every extra trunk adds complexity and the possibility of faults that would make the whole tree unattractive.
Continue reading
The callistemon I pruned a couple of weeks ago has new buds emerging from the leaf axils.
You can see them at the base of the leaves in this picture. You can also see a smaller, red bud on the bare wood of the branch to the left in the photo.