In 2009, Grant Bowie posted a ground-breaking article on Banksia integrifolia as bonsai to AusBonsai. In the decade since, Grant’s article has been viewed over 56,000 times and generated a discussion that has not ended.
Read MoreIn 2009, Grant Bowie posted a ground-breaking article on Banksia integrifolia as bonsai to AusBonsai. In the decade since, Grant’s article has been viewed over 56,000 times and generated a discussion that has not ended.
Read MoreThe rewarding features of the Crepe Myrtle allow for year-round enjoyment. For me personally - the bark is number one, becoming more beautiful with age.
Read MoreIt is important to understand where our pine species live in nature and which characteristics they have, in order to know how to treat them correctly as a Bonsai tree.
Read MoreBeing able to wire is a fundamental technique that must be practiced by the bonsai enthusiast. Without a good wiring technique, it is not possible to achieve the bends or shaping of your tree as you would like. These simple, concise tips are here to help you.
Read MoreAvailable to download in a printable format for your convenience.
Extracts from "Masters Book of Bonsai" by Nobukichi Koide, Saburo Kato & Fusazo Takeyama.
Read MoreNebari is a Japanese word that describes the roots that can be seen on the surface. You may also come across the related term tachiagari which refers to the lower part of the trunk and where the trunk widens out to join the surface roots – nebari.
Read MoreAvailable to download in a printable format for your convenience.
Satsuki azaleas are increasingly popular among western Bonsai enthusiasts. If you fulfill their special needs (never let them dry out, water with rain water, use special soil and fertilizer) they are very easy to care for and delight their owners with beautiful flowers every year.
Read MoreA detailed overview of the many Wisteria species.
Most wisteria bonsai are of medium or large size because the long flower clusters need some height to hang from. Wisterias are very well suited for bonsai but their special feature is the flowers. After flowering the trunk and branches are hidden under long leaves and proliferating tendrils and then the wisteria returns to the second row in the bonsai garden.
Read MoreReprinted from the BSV newsletter from 2006.
There are several varieties of pomegranate to be seen in suburban gardens, but the one which so often catches the eye is the dwarf, Punica granatum nana. It is usually a short tree with a thick trunk and bushy top, laden with either bright orange-red flowers or small fruits.
Read MoreIf you attend a workshop and have the ‘guru’ (and helpers) do all the work on your tree, you will, of course take home a better bonsai but you will not have contributed a great deal to it. It is much more satisfying to own bonsai that have had some input from yourself into their design and shaping.
Read MoreExtract from an article by Derek Oakley of the Bonsai Workshop, Perth.
The Bottlebrush is a spectacular plant when it is in flower, and as a bonsai it is even more so. To cultivate this native as bonsai is a must, not only because of its flowers, but also because of its speed of growth and its capacity to take pruning and training.
Read MoreTips for potting and styling Trident Maples.
Besides differing growth patterns the Trident maple can be distinguished by its 3-lobed leaves (as opposed to the 5-lobed leaves of the Acer Palmatum). Its leaves are (dark) green, and color red and orange in autumn. The tree is strong and can take aggressive pruning/styling very well.
Read MoreTips for growing and maintaining Azaleas.
Satsuki azaleas are increasingly popular among western Bonsai enthusiasts. If you fulfill their special needs (never let them dry out, water with rain water, use special soil and fertilizer) they are very easy to care for and delight their owners with beautiful flowers every year.
Read MoreTips for maintaining Ficus bonsais.
There are hundreds of varieties of the Ficus, but the most popular one for Bonsai is the Ficus Retusa, which is often shaped in an s-curved trunk and has oval, dark green leaves.
Read MoreTips for growing and maintaining Black and Red Pines.
Black and Red Pines are ideal for bonsai culture. More mature trees require a lot of work so be mindful of how many black and red pines you have in your collection.
Read MoreAn overview of Banksias, with growing tips and the importance of sacrifice branches.
There are 173 Banksia species in Australia. Banksia falls into the Ficus range. They are not interested in growing flowers as they are too big for bonsai plant.
Read MoreTips for growing and developing Olives, including tree pruning and branch selection.
For bonsai you can use cultivated varieties but the wild olive Bonsai (Olea europaea sylvestris) has the advantage of very tiny leaves and short internodes.
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