I love unusual plants for their distinctive sizes, structures, foliage, fruit and growth characteristics. About ten years ago Darlene Hutt from Ohio posted her Ryusen weeping Japanese maple garden tree on the Bonsai Nut Forum. The severe winter of 2014 decimated her weeping Japanese landscape garden tree and all that was alive was the lower branch. All the dead branches were removed and all she had now was a tree with a weeping branch. She potted it and posted an image of it calling it a potted tree, not bonsai.

I saw the image and immediately wanted to purchase it, as the cultivar and shape interested me. Darlene could not sell the maple because it’s her husband’s favorite tree. She provided the photos and information on her training a Ryusen weeping Japanese maple bonsai beginning in 2014.

Darlene Hutt Ryusen Weeping Japanese Maple Bonsai Development

May 20i4

October 2017

October/November 2017

February/March 2019

April/May 2019

March 2020

March/April 2020

March 2021

March 2021

August/October 2023

October 2023

April 2024

October 2024

So, I had to visit a local garden center in June 2020 and got lucky! They had several Ryusen weeping Japanese maples growing in three-gallon pots. I carefully studied the plants, removed a bit of surface soil and selected the tree with the best graft union and root base for $75. I should have returned and bought them all, but unfortunately did not, as I was uncertain about the cultivar and shape.

So now I’m interested with this cultivar and want to know all about Ryusen weeping Japanese maple and began researching knowledgeable sources, and would like to share some information.

Valavanis Ryusen Weeping Japanese Maple Bonsai Development

April 2020

Trunk base

June 2020

November 2020 October 2021

August 2022

October 2023

I could not find the rebar needed for forming an interesting cascade trunk, so I used a Rough bark Japanese maple branch which was removed a few years ago from my original Arakawa Japanese maple which is about 40 years old. Even a surface root, about five feet from the main trunk has rough bark!

March 2024

Trunk base August 2024

August 2024

November 2024

Ryusen Weeping Japanese Maple History

There are well over 1,000 different cultivars of Japanese maples. They vary from seed, some grow variegated foliage or have other distinctive features horticulturists search for. There are several different Japanese maples with weeping shapes. Ryusen weeping Japanese male was introduced to the world by the Kobayshi Momiji-en nursery in Saitama Prefecture, near the Omiya Bonsai Village. It was found and selected by Kazuhara Kobayashi in 1990.

This chance seedling came from the cultivar ‘Jiro Shidare,’ which was named after the elder nurseryman Jiro of the Kobayashi Momiji-en. This tree comes from the lineage of Nakamando Weeping Japanese maple which is a national treasure in Japan and over 400 years old, growing in a temple in Fukushima Prefecture, north of Tokyo.

This tree was first introduced to the United States under the name ’Ryusei’ (Dragon Spirit) from several different nurseries such as Highland Creek Nursery which Mr. Maple Nursery purchased in 2013 and Buchholz Nursery purchased last year. It was later brought over by Ozzie Johnson and patented by ItSaul Plants in 2006 under the name of ‘Ryusen.’ 

Description

Ryusen weeping Japanese maple PP#18,501 is a new pendulous Japanese maple with palmate foliage and amazing form. This small, elegant tree adds a unique form with an exotic appeal. The spring new growth is chartreuse green which contrasts with the older dark-green foliage. The summer foliage is dark green and is a dependable maple for brilliant reddish/orange leaves.

Dependable autumn coloring

This amazing small form of weeping Japanese maple is extremely pendulous and the unique shape makes it ideal for specimen garden trees, container grown ornamentals and of course bonsai training. One of my students has a few growing in hanging baskets which create a focal point in his garden. It can be used in many different creative forms in the garden with staking and pruning.

It is very heat tolerant and winter hardy in the USDA 5-9 zones, including Rochester, New York, even when container grown. It is easy to shape with wire and rebar and only takes one season to hold the new desired shape. I have not tried to defoliate the tree to encourage smaller foliage and twig ramification.

The above information was provided by Tim Nichols co-owner of Mr. Maple Nursery with his brother, Matt in North Carolina. They are the premier source for over 1,000 different Japanese maple cultivars plus a wide assortment of unique woody ornamentals. The two brothers, second generation Japanese maple growers, are interested in promoting Japanese maples and information. They have a weekly podcast plus daily YouTube videos, all well produced and interesting. They even have a Mr Maple Show! They are primarily a mail order nursery and carefully pack and ship plants around the country. Mr Maple the best source for Ryusen weeping Japanese maples and have an impressive catalog and presence on the web

Check out: WWW.MrMaple.com  to see what they offer.

Check out their excellent video on Ryusen Weeping Japanese maples

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9dmImQKb0M

In a few days our semi-annual exploration of the Japanese bonsai world tour will begin. We will, of course, visit the Tokoname kilns to see and perhaps purchase a few containers.

Each time I travel to Japan I photograph bonsai which deserve new containers. Considering the size, shape and colors, but more importantly their quality. Most Westerners do not consider the quality of containers because they are working on high levels of bonsai, especially considering when the trees are displayed. I have been known to purchase 12 containers for one bonsai for displaying in different seasons and styles of displays, only to return home to find a better container in my secrete bonsai container collection. I’m searching for four containers and my friend Dave Steele is looking for six new containers. Below are a couple of the pages, with important dimensions, we have prepared to make container shopping easier.

Note the sizes of the trees in relation to the containers. The dimensions have been converted to centimeters, to make measuring easier in. The dimensions provided are the most important factors I carefully consider when selecting new containers, PLUS the size of the container the tree is in.

Wish me luck finding new homes for a few of my favorite bonsai. But, if I don’t find them in November, I’ll another opportunity in January and again in February when returning to Japan for the Gafu Bonsai Exhibition, the Meifu Bonsai Exhibition and of course, the Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition in February.

The autumn 2024 colors have come and gone (almost as there are about 10 Dwarf maple bonsai masterpieces which have not completely changed color.)

We were able to capture some individual bonsai in peak color, and I felt fortunate to enjoy them, as a reward for the great care my crew and family provided daily throughout the growing season.

Unfortunately, the autumn colors peaked while I was in California for the excellent 2024 Pacific Bonsai Expo in late October. Truthfully, I was quite disappointed with the autumn colors this season even the peak period was not as vibrant as in the past.

Below is my favorite autumn garden photo from November 2018. Perhaps we might have to wait another six to seven years to catch the beauty at the right time, when most of the trees change color at the same time. But, for now we are enjoying some autumn beauty.

Additionally, new this year, were super demonstrations, mini-lectures and a panel discussion with two of the top bonsai containers potters from Tokoname, Japan. There was also a bonsai potter from New Zealand selling his art. Each program was well attended or packed full of eager bonsai enthusiasts. Jonas Dupich “presented” a discussion on judging bonsai, but unfortunately a non-scheduled fire emergency alarm required everyone to promptly and safely leave the building. This entire event took less than 30 minutes to resolve and visitors appreciated a short visit outside in fresh air and sunny skies. 

The sales area was huge with over 60 different vendors from across the United States, Japan and New Zealand, making this the largest bonsai vending area… to date. Vendors brought their finest trained bonsai, pre-bonsai, containers, tools, wire, scrolls, books and magazines. Much of the plant material for sale were quite large in size.

A heartfelt message of appreciation from the entire bonsai community goes to Jonas, Eric and Andrew along with their army of volunteers for producing the Pacific Bonsai Expo 2024 which represents some of the finest bonsai in the United States. Producing a national event like this required two years of planning, long hours of preparations and considerable funds. I look forward to the next Pacific Bonsai Expo in 2026. Now is the time to prepare your entries.

This was a juried exhibition and approximately 300 photos were submitted. Judges included Bjorn Bjhorholm, Eric Schrader, Michael Hagedorn and David DeGroot. They carefully reviewed every entry and only selected the finest bonsai which will produce a well-balanced exhibition considering species, sizes, color and different styles. 

Each of the 74 bonsai compositions were designed, trained and grown by the owner or with the assistance of professional bonsai artist.

Every bonsai was allotted a six or eight-foot display area with a lovely solid non-creased grey background. It was up to the exhibitors to fill their assigned areas using the bonsai which was pre-judged. As the trees arrived each was professionally photographed for the Commemorative Album which will be produced in the future. After finally setting up the displays the room was emptied and judged by the exhibitors themselves. Directly after the judging a twilight evening Friday reception was held in the exhibition area to show appreciation to all the sponsors, donors, helpers and most importantly the exhibitors who shared the beauty of their bonsai.

The highly successful second Pacific Bonsai Expo was held on October 26-27, 2024 at the Henry J. Kaiser Center in Oakland, California. Stars of the educational event were the 74 formal bonsai compositions displayed by exhibitors from across the country from California to New York. The venue this year was considerably larger than the Expo in 2022. This offered more space to appreciate the bonsai without crowding. Over1,600 weekend passes were sold before the event, with a great number of walk in visitors.

Giant Sequoia

Giant Sequoia

This large national-scale exhibition was sponsored by a new non-profit organization formed so the Expo can financially continue into the future. Organizers Eric Schrader, Jonas Dupich, and Andrew Robson along with an army of volunteers did a superb job organining, hosting and preparing the high-quality bonsai displayed at their best. Having sponsored and helped produce over 100 events, I can truly say that the entire Pacific Bonsai Expo was excellent and one of the top two national bonsai exhibitions in the United States.

The Toronto Bonsai Society is celebrating their 60^th Anniversary Exhibition and Sale on October 11-13, 2024, at the Toronto Botanical Garden in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Achieving 60 years is a significant milestone that few other bonsai organizations have established a bonsai community yet.

The members and leadership of the Toronto Bonsai Society have successfully promoted bonsai for six decades, through exhibitions, displays, workshops, online zoom sessions, meetings, sponsoring international conventions and newsletters. 

The 60^th Anniversary Celebration includes some of the premier, iconic and legacy developed and created bonsai in Ontario, Canada. 

The exhibition was well designed, it’s not their first show! All the containers were cleaned as well as the trees and appropriate display tables. You don’t see that at all exhibitions, but they have had practice for 60 years and know how to layout a show, welcome visitors, set up neat backgrounds, table coverings and skirting in a classy way. PLUS, they displayed some of the most beautiful bonsai created in all of Canada. The trees were well spaced out and had different size trees next to each other to provide visual interest.

The Toronto Bonsai Society is well known for their powerful old collected trees, mostly Eastern White Cedars and American Larch. There were many of them, but not overwhelming and on display for the three-day event. A great number of the displayed beautiful trees included those developed by members from common nursery grown trees as well as some grown from seed, cutting, division and air layers.

The true beauty of each bonsai was clearly shown, and a great number have been well trained with love for many decades. The Japanese bonsai community has a word often used to describe bonsai “mochigome” which means aged and grown in containers. Most of these trees had this feeling and was clearly seen with old flakey bark rounded crowns and especially the ground covering with several different species of moss and lichen. And, a great number of ground covers were not recently planted but carefully cultivated for years, some decades in containers. There are some things which cannot be instantly created and most of the trees demonstrated the love and devotion the Toronto Bonsai Society members have given to create, train and maintain their art and it is wonderful for them to share beauty to the public as well as seasoned bonsai growers.

Addition there was a suiseki display as well as stones used throughout the show which had over 112 individual trees. The Montreal Botanical Garden brought many of their old bonsai and Chinese pejingn to enhance the show and displayed mature, developed trees for inspiration.

I personally feel honored to be invited to teach, demonstrate and conduct a constructive  critique from my different point of view, so the members could see things which instantly caught my eye, but were not clearly noticed. This style of constructive critique can only be valuable with a skilled artist having decades of bonsai study. My heart full appreciation was overwhelming to me personally and I hope the Toronto Bonsai Society continues with their success in teaching and promoting the beauty of bonsai in Canada. Congratulations on your 60^th Anniversary!

Last week our bonsai society had a special meeting on spruce bonsai. Harvey Carapella, Marc Arpag and I presented simultaneous  demonstrations, in addition to a formal display of one of our personal spruce bonsai.  

Harvey worked on refining an old Ezo spruce bonsai. Marc showed how to make the initial design selection on a large spruce. While I worked on redesigning and wiring a neglected spruce bonsai from a workshop over 25 years ago.

My spruce was a phoenix graft of a young Black hills spruce attached to a piece of old dead wood. The spruce seedling was finger sized when nailed to the dead wood. It grew! However, the dead wood did not change size, it only added more patina to the dead wood. The workshop tree sat in the back of the garden and was only watered and fertilized for 25 years. It was repotted once. None of the top growth was touched, except for light pinching, now and then.

Before demo

I selected this tree because the thin Black hills spruce trunk grew so heavy. Actually, I want to sell it, but the beauty was not apparent. It did have “inner beauty” in my eyes, AND I knew how to ‘fix’ it. The two hour  club demo provided me an opportunity to refine the bonsai.

Brian Whitcomb helped me use the heavy wire and Dave Steele provided the muscle for moving drastic branches. It took us two hours to create the shape of this tree, while Harvey and Marc were explaining their demos. I also participated in the group discussion.

Then the three of us adventured to the attic where a few containers are kept in a crowded mess. And, I only fell two times and Dave picked me up, dusted me off and I proceeded. After some time we selected seven “possible” new containers. Most were the right size, one was too small and one was too large. This process, selecting, discussing and trying each container and photographing the various combinations took us about one hour and thirty minutes. 

Final shape before potting and selecting container

We finally agreed on the perfect container and yesterday Brian and Dave repotted the tree, then another 30 minutes we spent adjusting the branches and trunk position.

We were lucky I had many containers to select from to narrow it down to only seven. (Not really lucky, as most of the containers are in my personal taste and preferred sizes, shapes and colors.) 

Before demo After demo, adjust

Before demo After demo, adjustments & potting

Take a look at each combination and let us know your personal selection and why. Best to answer on Facebook for easy posting.

We all enjoyed this exercise and the final composition came out just how I had expected. Now a new owner must care and refine this spruce bonsai.

The Toronto Bonsai Society will soon be celebrating their 60^th Anniversary Exhibition and Sale on October 11-13, 2024, at the Toronto Botanical Garden in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Achieving 60 years is a significant milestone that few other bonsai organizations have established a bonsai community yet.

The members and leadership of the Toronto Bonsai Society have successfully promoted bonsai for six decades, through exhibitions, displays, workshops, online zoom sessions, meetings and newsletters. 

The 60^th Anniversary Celebration will feature some of the premier developed bonsai in Ontario, Canada. From the small shohin bonsai which fit in the palm of your hand to developed trees older than your grandparents will be displayed. The incredible variety of native Canadian trees collected, trained and cultivated for bonsai by members will be shown to the public as well as bonsai hobbyists in the region. Additionally, trees just starting their bonsai journey will be shown.

Other educational activities of the 60^th Anniversary Celebration will include demonstrations, workshops, guided tours and a sales area where quality items for the training and enjoyment can be purchased.

Special guests include William N. Valavanis, (International Bonsai Arboretum in Rochester, New York, and Eric Auger and Marianne Duhammel, curators of the famed Bonsai & Penjing Collection at the Montreal Botanical Garden in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Everyone is invited to join me at the 60^th Anniversary Exhibition as we celebrate the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Photos by Joe Noga of a few of the Toronto Bonsai members’ fine masterpiece bonsai.

Check out this YouTube video of their Spring 2024 Exhibition and sale:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7raj2xVky4