Here's a challenge for you. Take a look at this Cliff Bonsai photo and the next couple (but don't scroll all the way down) and see if you can figure out just how big they are. I borrowed this and the other photos in this post from Bonsai Empire. The artist/mastercraftsman is Daisuke Nakajima.

Here’s what Oscar (Bonsai Empire) wrote about these Cliff Bonsai… “Trees clinging to a steep cliff, roots entangled in solid rock and beautifully detailed miniature buildings – welcome to the mysterious world of “Cliff Bonsai”. Japanese artist Daisuke Nakajima created these four stunning miniature landscapes, and agreed to share his creations with us. Enjoy!”

While we’re on Bonsai Empire… Bjorn Bjorholm together with Bonsai Empire is offering a new Advanced Bonsai Course (see below).
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Close up

Another one

This one provides a little perspective. Smaller than you thought?

Here’s the course mentioned above…

Bjorn Bjorholm renowned American bonsai artist and teacher doing what he loves

Advanced Bonsai Course

Discounted pre-enrollment for the Advanced Bonsai Course has started! The online course offers unique access to the latest and most advanced Bonsai techniques. Instructor Bjorn Bjorholm guides you through the long-term impact of techniques on a wide variety of tree species.

Topics include heavy bending, various grafting techniques, creating deadwood and advanced design principles – for trees in different stages of development. But this course is not exclusively about advanced techniques. It also takes an unprecedented deep dive look into the philosophy and history of bonsai art, as well as aesthetic considerations that are crucial to improving your Bonsai skills.

This Sargent juniper (Aka Shimpaku) resides at the U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. It was donated by Doug Paul, owner of the Kennett Collection. This photo and the others shown here, were taken and generously offered by Robert Vitale. The plant varieties and names of the donors are courtesy ofJanice Vitale and Michael James

Closeup of Sedum in Rock Penjing “Li Jiang river in Spring.”  Donated by the Shanghai Botanical Garden.

This iconic Japanese White Pine ‘Miyajima’ was donated by Daizo Iwasaki, one of the world's great bonsai benefactors. Iwasaki sama passed away in 2011. 

Closeup of a Japanese White pine, that was gifted to Nancy Reagan by Hassan II King of Morocco. It has been in training since 1832

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Hinoki Cypress donated by Muriel Leeds. In training since 1964

A piece of a Pitch pine that was also donated by Muriel Leeds. In training since 1967

Close up of Chinese Elm penjing forest that was donated by Yunhua Hu. In training since 2004

This banyan style dwarf Snow rose serissa (Serissa foetida microphylla) was styled by David Fukumoto of Fuku Bonsai in Hawaii. The pot is a Tokoname from Japan. Living in the tropics is a big plus when it comes to growing aerial roots.

Monday morning, Stone Lantern’s peak season and the busiest time of year for bonsai growers, so it’s back to our archives. This one is from April, 2014

Based on thirty five years experience in bonsai business, I’d say that the majority of our readers and customers are into their middle years or beyond. I’m sure there are several good reasons for this, but I think it’s mostly because a slower more stable lifestyle allows the time and space to properly care for bonsai.
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Itoigawa juniper by Michael Hagedorn. Michael is one of our favorite American bonsai artists. If you haven't visited his site (Crataegus Bonsai) this is as good a time as any. BTW: Michael is the author of Post-Dated - The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk a fascinating read, bonsai or otherwise.

Continued from above…
Which brings us to aging backs and smaller bonsai. On the back cover of Majesty in Miniature; Shohin Bonsai (out of print) it says “When compared to large bonsai, Shohin cost less, take less time to develop, take less space, are easier to move, and are less apt to be over-watered. Perhaps best of all, Shohin-bonsai are a delight to behold.” Easier to move and better suited to the small balcony on the retirement condo…

This brilliant Viginia creeper belongs to Harry Harrington, author of the Foundations of Bonsai and Bonsai Inspirations.

This is sweet little Spiraea japonica also belongs to Harry Harrington.

Floating mountains with trees. I originally thought the trees with their tiny leaves might be boxwoods, but upon closer inspection, I think they are probably Serissas. This photo is a closeup from the photo just below.

This unusual and creative arrangement was posted by Aus Bonsai on facebook. It would be nice to know who the artist is, but Aus makes no mention of the artist or even provide a link to their source. If this were the first time, we wouldn’t mention it, but Aus Bonsai often fails in this regard (it’s one thing to not be able to hunt down the artist, but a whole other thing to not even provide a link to their source)*

I like the way each planting looks like it could stand alone, and the way they all work together (even given the one with the mismatched rock).

A closer (fuzzier too) look to try to determine what the tree is. Is that a flower and some buds? Could it be a Serissa?

*This does beg the question of why we would bother to pass this along without attribution or even a link to original source. This is an ongoing issue when you try to post everyday and you find distinctive bonsai (like this one) worthy of sharing. Beyond that, I feel strongly about the importance of attribution, or at least links, and use Bark as an opportunity to bring the issue up from time to time. 

By the way, I did a google image search, but came up with Aus Bonsai and Bonsai Bark. Not much help.

Aside from being a phenomenal tree and a great pot, there's a relaxed in-synch feeling, like the pot and tree are old friends. This might have something to do with the color, texture, soft lines and aged look of each. The color and feel of the stand fits right in too, while contrast is provided by its sharp rectangular lines. All together an excellent bonsai. The artist is François Gau (pot by Greg Ceramics). All three photos in this post are from Parlons Bonsai (I took the liberty to crop all three to bring the trees closer).

We featured Kingsville boxwoods a couple time this week, so continuing the theme (except for the Kingsville part). This post is from one we did on the 2013 European Bonsai San show.  We’ve done some editing and have added a paragraph about wintering boxwoods.
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This wild old tree is little more rough and rugged than the one above. That ruggedness and the long stretch of trunk without foliage, leans a little toward literati, though the lush foliage and deep pot betray that definition. If this were your tree, would you remove the strange branch on the left? Or maybe eliminate the inward growing foliage and create a jin? The artist is Raymond Claerr (pot by Isabelia).

The three trees shown here all have at least three things in common: They are all Boxwood bonsai (Buxus sempervirens). They all appeared in a 2013 bonsai show in Saulieu France (European Bonsai San Show). And, they all have powerful trunks.
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When I first saw this tree, my eye went straight to the large hole at the base of the trunk and the jagged wood that frames it. It took a few moments and a more relaxed gaze to take in and appreciate the power of the whole tree. The artist is once again François Gau. The pot is Chinese and looks a lot like it might be Yixing.

I’ve had luck wintering boxwood indoors. I think it works best if you leave them out on a covered porch in the fall until night temperatures are well below freezing so they can experience at least a short period of dormancy (how cold depends on which type boxwood), and then bring them into a coolish place with plenty of light for the winter (old farmhouses often have rooms that aren’t heated and with adequate light… modern houses that are heated to 75F aren’t so good). If you live in a climate that has real winters but doesn’t get too cold, you can leave most boxwoods on a covered porch or in an out building all winter. If you live in a place with very mild winters, you can leave them out in the open.

This brilliant Deshojo Japanese maple (Acer palmatum  var. Deshojo) and the equally brilliant rising sun scroll belong to Bill Valavanis.

All the photos shown here were borrowed from Bill Valavanis’ timeline. Here’s Bill’s caption… “Alcove display for tonight’s Introductory to Classical Bonsai Course. Deshojo Japanese maple displayed with a ripe strawberry accessory. Although the rising sun theme hanging scroll is generally only used once a year in Japan on New Year’s Day, it was used tonight to celebrate the bright sun and 85F weather we enjoyed during the day.”

By the way, Bill Valavanis is, in addition to being a highly respected bonsai artist and teacher, the founder and primary force behind the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibitions
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Great close up

It’s time to remind you about the 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It’s the premier North American celebration of bonsai. The one event you don’t want to miss and it’s only four months away (Sept 8th and 9th). We look forward to seeing you there!

Bill's display alcove (Tokonama in Japanese)

Strawberries anyone? This sumptuous companion is a perfect fit with the rest of the display

The three main elements

You can tell this is a genuine Dwarf Kingsville boxwood by the tight tiny leaves. This planting by Boon Manakitivipart was the winner of the Certre Award at the 2010 U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition.

Continuing with Kingsville boxwoods and with Boon (see above), we’ve got three more Dwarf Kingsvilles today. Sweet trees, but they grow microscopically, so don’t expect fat trunks any time soon.

This has to one of the most perfectly conceived and executed Kingsville boxwoods you'll see anywhere. It belongs to Rodney Clemons, who wrote the following... “I am feeling honored I received word this week that two of my trees have been accepted for the 2018 US National Exhibition. I think they just really love to travel. Photo by Joe Noga, Container by an unknown Chinese artist, Stand by Charlie Clemons.”

A great pot and the finishing touches that the moss and soil present, don’t hurt this sweet little bonsai at all. This photo originally appeared on the cover of Bonsai Today issue 107. The tree belongs to Michael Persiano (co-editor of our Masters’ Series Pine book). You can see and read about its earlier stages of development in Bonsai Today issue 97.

Seven choices for Boon's Kingsville boxwood. One stands out as by far the best choice for me, but I'm pretty sure we won't all agree. Which pot would you choose?

Boon Manakitivipart is at it again. Boon regularly posts his which pot? questions and we regularly borrow them. Judging by the response, it’s one of our most popular type posts, so as long as Boon is willing, we’ll keep putting them up. If you would like to share your choice, you can go to our facebook comments or you can go directly to the source (that would be Boon). Or you can do both.

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Pot #7

Pot #6

Pot #5

Pot #4

Pot #3

Pot #2

Pot #1

One of the most famous Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora) bonsai in the world. After restyling by Masahiko Kimura (aka the Magician). This photo is from the White pine gallery in our Masters’ Series Pine Book.

Continuing with our growing Pine bonsai theme… If you would like to grow pine bonsai, a good place to start (and continue) is with our Masters Series Pine book. 

Pine Book Table of Contents
Introduction to Japanese White Pines
Kimura Transforms a semi-cascade using energy balancing & more
Cultivation Balance – Energy balancing and needle reduction
Goyomatsu – Balancing and redesigning
Kimura Plant Positioning – Nine possibilities, an in depth study
The Primary Branch – Selecting the best one
Multiple Trunk Bonsai – Three bonsai, three perspectives
Rock Planting – From to zuisho
Jewell to Whirlpool – Transforming famous old bonsai shari
Gallery of Japanese White Pine
TOC continued below…

Table of Contents continued
Introduction to Japanese Black Pines
Development of Short Needles – Balancing growth & needle size
Creating a Cascade – Styling, balancing & needles
Choosing a Pot – Accentuating a tree’s best features
Transplanting and Nebari Development
Pine from Seed
Restyling an Old Tree – Challenges & rewards
Gallery of Japanese Black Pines
Glossary of Bonsai Terms
Glossary of Japanese Bonsai Terms

Growing and Styling Japanese Black & White Pines
is suitable for growing most pine bonsai
list price 34.95

Not only is this an extraordinary cascading bonsai, but there's a story being told by the way the candles are strongest on the bottom third of the tree. Normally on apically dominant trees (like pines), you would expect the most vigorous candles at and near the top of the tree. My guess is that some of the upper candles have been pinched (shortened) and/or some have been plucked (removed) in order to control growth.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert on controlling and balancing energy on pines. I’ve done my best here based on what I’ve picked up over the years, but fear that I am oversimplifying what can be a complex process, with differences based on the type pine.  For a more thorough look at candle plucking and pinching and energy balancing in general (and much more, you might want to take a look at our Masters Series Pine Book.

All the pines shown here were posted by Luis Vallejo. I imagine that all reside at Luis’ Museo de Bonsai in Alcobendas, Spain. Because we’re focusing on the candles and how they are managed in order to control and balance energy, I don’t say much about just how powerful and beautiful these trees are. But then you’ve got eyes, so we’re not too concerned. No varieties are given by Luis.

In this photo, the strongest candles are at the top of the tree. This is what you might expect if the candles haven't been plucked and/or pinched (yet). Conversely, but much less likely, the candles on the lower reaches have been plucked and/or pinched and those on the upper reaches have been allowed to grown unrestrained in order to strengthen the apex. The reason this is much less likely is that the upper reaches are almost almost always the strongest and the lower reaches almost always need strengthening or they will eventually weaken and even die. Just like you see on old trees in nature with dead lower branches and their strongest growth near the top.

Later, after the candles have opened

It looks like most of the candles on this one have been pinched and/or plucked in order to maintain an already well-balanced tree.

It looks like Luis (or whoever is working this tree) wants to strengthen the lower right section

Another one after the candles have opened.