Ume

This Japanese Apricot came to me via Luigi Trapani of Southeast Bonsai Studio. Of all the diligently refined trees sitting on Luigi's bench, this one really communicated to me. During one of our trimming sessions, Luigi kindly allowed me to work it. I ended up leaving Savannah with it after parting with some of my nice J. maple stock. I've determined that it could have two fronts, so I plan on moving it to a round container when it begins to break dormancy. Still looking for that right container. It is a pink blooming cultivar, but I have not exposed the tree to warm enough temps to induce blooming.

I like the angle on this first photo...

Secrest Bald Cypress

Taxodium distichum 'Secrest' is a dwarf form of Bald Cypress that originated from a witch’s broom. Check out this page for a mature landscape view amongst this nice collection of Bald hybrids. The garden centers in Lincoln had their stock out a bit later than usual this year since we didn't really have a hard freeze until mid/late November. There were about five to choose from at Campbell's on Pine Lake.  The sun was shining and temps were decent, so I took my time to study them. 

The chosen one did not have the most trunk girth, but I liked the subtle movement from the base of the tree until the first branch. I figured that I may be able to get a little more bend out of this section, then focus on creating more trunk movement after the first branch. 

First, I removed some of the unnecessary branches and wrapped the trunk in raffia. It sat that way for a few weeks until Haidar stopped by with some heavier wire.  He suggested that I wrap some electrical tape over the raffia to increase the flexibility and cover any tiny spots that may have been missed to avoid any wire scarring.  I broke out some Scotch 2242 and began to wrap.  It reminded me of gripping a tennis racket.  Using the tape cuts the application time drastically in comparison with applying raffia.  So, I have added yet another item to my bonsai tool bag – electrical tape. 

We managed to get some significant wiggle out of this tree after a bit of a workout. As Tom said later in the day, “That's some serious bondage."  

Fall Color

Abstract shots of the Arakawa...

NBS Over-Wintering Seminar and October Meeting

The NBS October Meeting will follow the Over-Wintering seminar, presented by Max J. Miller and Loren Buxton at 10:00 am this Saturday at Mulhalls.

Nebraska Bonsai Society Fall Show

The Nebraska Bonsai Society will be holding our fall show in conjunction with Lauritzen Garden's Autumn Ambience and Japanese Festival this weekend.  The admission fee to the gardens this weekend will support the addition of their Japanese garden.  The Ikebana Omaha International will also have a display.  Come out and enjoy the festivities.

Honeymooning at Wigert’s

It was a blistering, humid day in Southwest Florida, but I managed to convince my wife, Jenn, to spend the afternoon at the Wigert’s in North Fort Myers.  After all, what’s a honeymoon without a little bonsaing!  Erik and his wife run a large operation that includes tropical and semi-tropical bonsai stock and a gallery of specimen trees.  The nursery is very impressive and Erik is no doubt a talented artist.  I was surprised to see him and his assistants wearing pants and long sleeves on such a hot day - no doubt to protect them from the insects.  While Jenn was relaxing in the a/c, I was perusing the many rows of stock at the nursery.  I managed to pick up an interesting suggestion on how to prevent deadwood from rotting on species with soft wood - MinWax Wood Hardener.  Erik specializes in collecting/styling Bougainvillea and uses the MinWax to treat the soft wood of the tree after carving.  Check out this gallery of Erik’s trees.  Most were collected, including the Lantana, just recently from a beach in the area.  Lantana’s grow like weeds in that part of the country.  

Developing Ramification on Deciduous Bonsai

Very informative three-part series on Bonsai Bark from Bonsai Today issue 66. Check it out...

Part I
Part II
Part III

Lincoln Journal Star Article

Lincoln man shares his passion for bonsai

The Beauty of Satsuki Azalea Bonsai

Over time, I’ve developed an appreciation for what some classify as flowering bonsai.  Species such as Ume, Rhododendron and Malus are grown specifically to induce flowering and are primarily appreciated for the spectacle of their flowers.  Often, the branches are left unkept on these species to increase the number of flowers, which can often lead to an unsightly tree during the period in which it isn’t flowering.   

With its miniature leaves, tight growth habit and unusual bark color and texture, Satsuki Azalea can be enjoyed during all seasons.  The flowers on this Hakurei cultivar are primarily white w/ pink lines or speckles, but as you can see, a flower emerged within the last week that’s entirely pink.  Satsuki hybrids are known for producing multiple colored flowers on the same plant.

At the Shohin Convention in St. Louis last year, I was fortunate to sign up for a Satuski Azalea workshop with David Kreutz.  It was an inspiring session.  The NBS is in the planning process of hosting David for a workshop on Satsuki in Nebraska.  Please contact me for further details.  

Oak Creek hosts 1st Annual Bonsai Show

This all day event was well attended and there were some excellent specimens on display. Haider Kazem really inspired some interest in collecting native species for bonsai, as he displayed his American and Siberian/Russian Elms and an Eastern Red Cedar. Rick McConnell displayed some interesting caudiciforms and Ed caught all of our attention with his soil-less ‘Too Little’ figs, growing in only moss. Dave Fortune’s multi-trunk Trident Maple and Scott Luke’s Chinese Elm and Horsetail accent were certainly highlights.

Check out these photos of the event captured by Dana...