American Larch (Larix laricina - aka Tamarack) by Larch Master Nick Lenz (from our archives). This brings us to the 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition (September, 8th and 9th in Rochester). We will bring some field grown larches of our own. Nothing like this masterpiece. Just some rough stock, mostly 15 to 25 year old that originally came from a friend's land. We have been digging some every year and growing them on here at my place, for the last 14 years or so. We've been pruning for taper, so we've got some pretty good trunks. We'll try to have some decent photos soon
Sometimes I think I’m getting dull (duller?) I’ve been doing this for almost ten years and I’ve barely changed the format. My comments haven’t evolved all that much either. I’ve become a little more selective in what I chose to post, so that’s something. And the images are larger too, which also counts for something. But that’s about it. I’ve picked all the low hanging fruit, I’m not tall enough for any higher and I forgot where I put my ladder anyway
So, as I see it, it’s time to shake things up a bit and try something we haven’t done for a long time (if that doesn’t scare you, nothing will). A post without a single theme! (there is a subtext, but I haven’t figured out what it is)
You don't see that many Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) bonsai (it's not a real bamboo). Though I understand why Miguel put his name on it, with so many people 'borrowing' photos and putting them up without attribution, still it is a little distracting
Nature's raft (. "It fell a long time ago, but it never gave up." (Keith Anderson's caption). This can only happen if some of the roots are still in the ground after the tree falls. Then gradually, roots start growing from the fallen trunk and the branches become new trunks and you've got a raft (Ikadabuki) style bonsai... or in this case, a full size natural raft
Here's a sinuous root raft bonsai where the original trunk is almost completely buried. It's a Rockspray Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) in splendid fall color, by Bill Valavanis of International Bonsai. Speaking of the 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition (see above), Bill is the man
This wild child belongs to Sandro Segneri. Sando has a very long caption (poorly translated from Italian by a machine) that starts... "A tree before entering the shop must have spent a reasonable period of time to stabilize the force, develop growth..." (here's your link to the rest)
