Faux-konoma

The "tokonoma" is a feature of shoin style Japanese homes since the 14th century. It was historically a small space set in a wall...more like a "false room" where scrolls, flower arrangements and favorite objects could be displayed. In a recent bout of re-decorating at Jen's, I decided to try to integrate the sense of the tokonoma into our space and in a way that wouldn't seem too over-the-top, but still function as a place to practice a somewhat formal display of bonsai.

The result is pictured above, what I'm calling our "faux-konoma". We spent a nice day wandering around Philly's chinatown looking for neat little items we could use to accent the trees. We got a couple nice pictoral scrolls, a golden dragon, a double dragon carving, a nice painted silk fan, etc. We also found a really nice porcelain plate covered in dragons. (ok I admit I'm into the chinese dragons since I began collecting 19th century Imperial Chinese Post "coiling dragon" stamps)

Of course these items are all rather obviously Chinese, but they are just fine with me. I don't mind the cultural train wreck. I just think it looks neat and most laypeople probably wouldn't notice the difference anyway. I suppose if anyone wants to argue I can simply call my bonsai "penjing" and end all debate.

Dombrovski's Azalea

Just picked up this incredible azalea from "Ski" Dombrovski. It was my first time meeting him and he made quite an impression! The guy knows his bonsai, period. I don't like the pot, and would rather have something a bit more rustic considering the blood-red flowers...but I'll only re-pot after I see it bloom next year and know for sure. Until then I'm just going to enjoy it as is.

Big Box Azalea

Here's a cheap azalea I got from a big box store while it was absolutely covered in bright purple flowers. I subsequently cut it back to new buds 3 times over the course of the summer, and reduced it to about 1/5 it's original size. There's time to spare to harden off the new growth before winter. It's now ready to grow out in the shape I choose and real root work can begin next year.

Dragon Juniper

This is a 20 year old juniper purchased from Allshapes bonsai. This is the first "finished" bonsai I've ever bought or owned. It just caught my attention and well...there it is...

Large Mugo Pine

May 2010



I bought this mugo pine in preparation for attending my first BSSJ meeting. I wanted to get a tree that I could work on at workshops, and also represent my enthusiasm for having joined the group. At the first workshop I cleaned it up and began pinching the candles. I have since done some additional top side work including the wiring. I'm very pleased with this tree and believe it will be good bonsai.


September 2010



The weather was overcast, humid and not too hot, so I decided to try doing a full repot and styling of this mugo pine, even though it is not really the right time of year for it. Sometimes you can get away with this kind of activity if you time things right and are very careful. I'll be watching this tree very closely to make sure I haven't destroyed it. This thing has been taking it easy, living the good life all summer...time to work, tree!

Small Mugo Pine

This little mugo pine was purchased as pre-bonsai. I cleaned it up and potted it, then did a bit of basic shaping and needle plucking. I find the trunk and roots interesting, and to me it looks pretty nice already, without a lot of work.

Magnolia challenge

Some say magnolia and dogwood are unsuitable for bonsai. I disagree. Therefore I challenged myself to see if I could successfully develop both. I trunk chopped a dogwood at the wrong time early this spring and lost it. I will try dogwood again in time.

But, I've had this Magnolia for about a year now. Got it from home depot specifically because it looked so weak, thin and sickly at the time. I tell you I was determined! Well, it sort of sat there last summer in the garden, 5ft tall in a 5 gallon plastic pot, getting sunburned, abused by birds and basically going nowhere.

It's shown good vigor this year as I have been really pushing organic fertilizer. While doing this, I also made major branch cuts systematically over several weeks to reduce the stress of the process and keep things moving.

So today was the final big branch cut, followed by a quick and very wet repot while disturbing the roots as little as possible. The roots were reduced by about 1/3 and as such I will keep the tree in shade and pretty much sopping wet for at least a week or two watching intently for any signs of trouble.

Also note I was VERY pleasantly surprised to see gorgeous, balanced radiating roots all around an elegant flare at the base (which had been under the soil line thus far). So this one will have an absolutely excellent base of exposed roots.

Topside, I'll "leave it go" for the remainder of the summer, hoping the final round of budding may produce a new branch or two just above the graft line, one of which would become the new leader. Regardless, I will leave the current top so I can enjoy flowers again next spring, then start basic branch development.

There is also the potential to air layer the current apex to make a shohin tree after new branches develop closer to the graft scar. Pulling that off over the next year or 2 would be a great victory for me, as I have always loved Magnolia.

I thumb my nose at the old ghosts who tell us this or that tree is "unsuitable" for bonsai. If you love it, grow it and enjoy it! Can't wait to add a pic of this tree in bloom next spring...