Category Archives: Boon News

Red Pine Bonsai Display

Posted on June 9, 2009 | Comments Off

This Red Pine has not had a styling for a few years. Last year it had a severe cutback because the foliage was becoming too wide. It will be styled this year, after the summer foliage has harderned off.

According to the feelings of the membership, this was one of the favorite accents for the pine. It only lost by one vote. The stand was “ruled” to be too tall when you stood right in front of the display.

Below is the (by one vote) winning accent plant with a wooden slab for the main tree. Bunjin bonsai are often shown on thin slabs in Japan. But they never use the thick pieces of lumber that is too often used here in the US. (Oops, I think an editorial comment just snuck out.)

(Please note that you can enlarge the pictures by clicking on them, though the files are sort of large.)

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Posted in Bonsai Display, Meeting News

Tagged Bonsai Lesson, Member information

Bonsai Accent Plants

Posted on June 9, 2009 | 2 comments

As one of the administrators of this blog, let me make an invitation. Though this is a Bay Island Bonsai blog, anyone may comment on the posts and are invited to do so. So do not think that this is an exclusive site for B.I.B. members only.

At the last B.I.B. meeting we discussed another display. When it comes to bonsai accents, the artistic principle is that the accent should have a subtle flow back towards the main tree (in a two point display). The accent below was rejected by the membership because the flow back to the bonsai was too obvious. What do you think?

Below is another bit that Boon taught the beginners. If the accent flows out of the display, it looks like it is not connected to the main tree.

2 Comments

Posted in Bonsai Display

Tagged bonsai accent plants, Bonsai Lesson

Heavy Bending in Bonsai Intensive

Posted on June 7, 2009 | 3 comments

Here is a tree that belongs to Boon. In the intensive classes you get to do more advanced work on Boon’s trees, if he thinks you are ready. This is going to be one of those courage-bends. Below you see a nice-enough tree, but Boon wanted a severe bend to bring the foliage a lot lower.

Rory and John C are two experienced intensive students, so they got the prep-job on the tree before they all cooperated in the bending.

Below, when the sawdust must fly, give the job to a student. Sawdust is a good look for John.

The bending was done with tools that Boon had brought back from Japan. The Japanese call the tools below “Jackie”.

Below is the finished bend. It will take about 2-3 years for the tree to add enough wood for the bend to hold. In the fall, an intensive student will get the job of wiring this tree.