Japanese maples are one of the most iconic bonsai species. I get so many enquiries from beginners wanting a Japanese maple but I usually advise them against starting off with this species. Why? Not only is Japanese maple more prone to getting burnt leaves in our harsh Australian climate, it is also much more demanding when it comes to pruning. Continue reading
Show season is nearly over so I have managed to find some time to assemble the photos of new stock in some semblance of order for you.
I’ve changed the format a bit this year to make it a bit simpler. Hope there’s enough detail for you to make informed choices. In any case, if you need to know more about any of the trees featured just ask. I can send current photos and other views if you need to have a look from another angle or I can provide measurements if you need those.
Anyway, click on the catalogue tab and see what’s new at Shibui Bonsai.
Those who have visited will know that there is always far more than just the trees featured in the cataloges. I usually have a range of natives that are being grown on as bonsai as well as smaller numbers of garden and roadside collected specimens. If you are after something in particular it can’t hurt to ask, I may just have it here.
The Wagga Wagga bonsai Society has contacted me to let everyone know that they are putting on a 10 day exhibition to promote bonsai in their region. The display opens on Thursday November 12 2015 at Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and runs through to Sunday November 22. Free entry and, as a bonus, the Wagga Wagga Potters club is also part of the exhibition.
If you are within reach of Wagga during that week go along and have a look. 11 days is a long time for bonsai inside. I’m told that the display will be closed on Monday 16th so they can water and work on any trees that need trimming, etc so make sure you are not traveling a long way to get there on the Monday.
And that’s not all! Grant Bowie has been booked to run a workshop on Sunday November 15th followed by a demonstration in the afternoon. You can come and see some of the techniques and ideas that go into developing really great bonsai. Observers are free so you can just turn up at E33 art space on Sunday and see what its all about.
I usually wait until November and December to repot banksias but this year is warmer than normal so I have started to re-pot my Aussie natives a bit earlier this year. First up were banksias because they were not root pruned last year and the root balls were getting pretty solid. Continue reading
There was hot bonsai competition at Myrtleford last Saturday as Shibui and Alpine Art battled for supremacy in the bonsai classes as part of the horticultural display at the annual Show. Continue reading
We had a great weekend at Canberra and were well looked after by the locals again. Sales were brisk on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning so there was not much left for those who came on Sunday
A much depleted Shibui sales on Sunday morning at Canberra Bonsai Show
but there’s still plenty of great trees available on our sales benches. Continue reading
The shibui bonsai collection has been gradually expanding over the past 20 years. It has now reached the stage where even I have to admit I have too many trees to look after properly. The dilemma is which ones to sacrifice. I have grown nearly all my bonsai from seed or cuttings so they all have a great deal of history and personal meaning for me. Last winter I lined all the trident maples up and had a critical look at them and found that I have quite a few that are similar. That helped to make a decision though it is no less painful. In the end I have decided to allow these 2 trees to go to new homes and give someone else some enjoyment. If you’d like more details or photos of either of these please drop an email – neil@shibuibonsai.com.au
Trident maple. About 20 years from seed. Trunk diameter just above the roots = 10 cm. Height = 36 cm. Current spread = 31 cm. Visible nebari = 20 cm. $950.00.
Trident maple. About 15 years from seed. Trunk diameter just above the roots = 8 cm. Height = 43 cm. Current spread = 33 cm. Visible nebari = 17 cm. $900.00
Trident maple $900
Spring means Bonsai shows and all the major clubs have exhibitions over the next couple of months.
I will be helping my local Albury Wodonga bonsai society with displays at both Myrtleford A & P show – Oct 24 and in the hort pavillion at Albury show the following weekend Oct 31 and Nov 1st so if you happen to be in the area, stop in, say Hi and have a look at a few nice bonsai. Continue reading
All the new trees are now pruned and in pots.
The new tridents have all sprouted and are busy growing new roots in their pots.
This year I will have more great Root over Rock tridents available for sale.
Root over Rock pre-bonsai trident maples
Those of you who grow bonsai will probably appreciate how much work there is at this time of year. Before the spring flush of growth I need to dig, prune and pot up the field grown trees as well as repotting all the established bonsai that need doing.
I hope you won’t mind that I am going off line for a couple of weeks so I can concentrate on getting everything done.
Shibui Bonsai will reopen for business around mid September.
My apologies for any inconvenience and I look forward to helping you find your dream trees in a couple of weeks.
Neil