I had a rare surprise invitation to visit the private collections of Thang Dinh before the Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition, held in Chicago, Illinois last weekend.
He won the first place award in the open division at the 2024 Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition. His medium size tree, a magnificent Zuisho Japanese five-needle pine, was displayed on two large tables. After winning the award the society moved his bonsai to an alcove display. This left a large vacant area, so he returned home to bring a collection of his fine quality suiseki to display. It appeared that most of his suiseki were of Japanese origin, with a special love for Chrysanthemum stones.
In addition, he had a sizeable collection of bonsai masterpieces from Japan. They varied in size, and several were in training with long shoots for future design possibilities.
There was also a sizeable collection of fine quality bonsai containers for future use. In the United States I have never seen such a large collection of containers made by Gyozan, considered to be the finest artist handcrafting bonsai containers in Japan. Most of the other top level container artists from Tokoname, Japan was well represented.
There were many developed and developing American bonsai as well. He is refining his bonsai collection as well as training new specimens.
He also had an outstanding Japanese black pine bonsai which he displayed in the 2023 8th U.S National Bonsai Exhibition. He likes to share the beauty of his bonsai in exhibitions. It was clear that he enjoyed his collections, and he had a fine taste for bonsai and suiseki.
The 46th Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition was sponsored by the Midwest Bonsai Society. It was held at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois, on August 16-18, 2024 and is one of the largest regional bonsai shows in the nation. I have exhibited and sold bonsai in every one of the 46 shows, and in my opinion the tree quality has significantly improved throughout the decades, but took a giant leap forward this year with many refined developed bonsai displays.
Approximately 100 bonsai were beautifully displayed by bonsai practioners from many states, they all had including accessories. Jack Sustic was the guest artist and judge for the weekend. Thang Dinh was the top award winner in the open division with a refined Zuisho Japanese five-needle pine. During set up of the show a large prominent display table featured his bonsai.
After judging his award winning tree was moved into the center of the room in an alcove. He did not want to leave the table empty so he returned home to pick up about six fine-quality from his collection to fill the table. Tim Priest won the first place award in the professional division with a large impressive Rocky Mountain juniper bonsai.
Additionally, there were workshops, demonstrations as well as two courtyards filled with over 30 vendors. About 40 world class bonsai from the world-class permanent collection of the Chicago Botanic Garden were displayed in two outdoor courtyards. Curator of the bonsai collection, Chris Baker, has done an excellent job maintaining, refinement and promoting bonsai art in one of the largest prestigious botanical gardens in the United States.
The Bonsai Society of Upstate New York has a couple of study groups. On September 7-8, 2024, a special suiseki exhibition will be held at the Autumn 2024 Open House & Sale at the International Bonsai Arboretum. Over 50 suiseki from members will be displayed. Members will there to answer any questions.
This semi-annual popular event will be held at the International Bonsai Arboretum on September 7-8, 2024.
Come and enjoy bonsai art at its finest in an unusual garden showing bonsai from the propagation bench to the developed classical bonsai piece.
Both indoor and outdoor displays will delight your eyes and deepen your appreciation of the art.
Continuous demonstrations will be held throughout the two day event.
My valuable and dedicated Monday Senior Crew has been working hard and watering a lot this past spring and summer.
We have been creating new specimens for future masterpieces, Come and see how are created.
Of course, bonsai, pre-bonsai, containers, tools and more will be available for sale at a discounted price.
It’s been a very busy season this year!
Additionally, The Bonsai Society of Upstate New York will be hosting an exhibit of fine bonsai from the private collections of members. Displayed in the greenhouse, the lighting will be ideal.
Join us for a refreshing day full of bonsai, suiseki and friends!
You will have the opportunity to create four specimens during the Autumn 2024 Introductory Bonsai Course. A complete overview of the art will be presented.
Offered at the International Bonsai Arboretum, this limited course has been popular for over 40 years. Bonsai artist, educator and scholar William N. Valavanis will be conducting the course. Held in the Educational Studio, provides an excellent atmosphere to learn, create and appreciate bonsai.
The next Introductory Bonsai Course will be offered in April, 2025.
Last weekend four bonsai societies worked together to present their 2nd Annual Open Event “The Art of Bonsai” exhibition and sale at the Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey. Members from the Bergen, Deep Cut, Great Swamp and Pennsylvania Bonsai Societies sponsored the exhibition which was a huge success!
Under the leadership of Bob Entrekin, the exhibition was superb and well done with class. Of course, the special black backgrounds with blue tablecloths were perfectly ironed with invisible seams. Members from all the societies made the several hundred visitors welcome and answered questions from the public as well as from bonsai hobbyists. All the labels and signs were professionally produced as well as unusual award plaques.
The stars of the exhibition were about 45 fine bonsai from the local members as well as others from Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut. Many of the distinctives bonsai were well refined and would be suitable for display in the National Bonsai Exhibition. This year the organizers emphasized the bonsai display compositions, as well as the individual beauty of each tree. All the bonsai were well spaced, sitting on display tables with accessory plantings. Several hanging scrolls were used to enhance the beauty of the trees and suggest seasonality.
There were 14 vendors offering pre-bonsai, containers, nursery stock, soil and supplies as well as several high-end masterpiece bonsai for sale. The vendors were arranged around the perimeter of the exhibition, so they felt an important part of the event, because they truly are. A great number of members as well as the public travel to exhibitions, just to purchase trees and supplies which are not readily available
A raffle of an aged Japanese black pine was held as well as a silent and live auction to help provide financial support. There was NO entry fee as the societies were more interested in introducing the public to the art as well as to showcase the many masterpiece bonsai. The Gold Sponsors, Silver Sponsors as well as donors added significantly to help pay for the rental of the room and display backgrounds, frames and tablecloths. Several members brought some of their own display tables to share with others to make a more beautiful exhibition.
Bonsai fanciers from around the northeast traveled, through hours of heavy traffic of visitors going to the New Jersey Coast. It took us nine hours to get to the exhibit on Friday afternoon, and five and a half to return home on Sunday evening. It was so nice to see and spend some time with long-time friends as well as making new friendships. Sharing the knowledge and techniques of bonsai is always freely given. The weather was beautiful, and many volunteers helped the vendors and exhibitors set up and take down.
On Saturday afternoon friends Marc Arpag and Brandon Herwick assisted me as we created the beginning design of a Trident maple forest, which might just become an excellent future bonsai with a few years.
On Sunday afternoon I conducted a constructive critique of each bonsai discussing the design, health, training, history and commented on their display compositions. Special effort was made to highlight the appreciation of each tree. There is more to the art of bonsai than growing and training a tree in a pot in your back yard, cleaning it and placing it on display tables. It was quite obvious that each exhibitor took pride in their artistry and took considerable effort and thought on how to best display their beautiful bonsai, both to the public as well as seasoned bonsai artists. One entire row was dedicated to novices just beginning their journey into the art.
Next year the sponsoring societies are thinking of moving the dates of the exhibition to October to avoid crowded roadways and peak accommodation costs. Personally, I have organized over 100 exhibitions, symposia and bonsai conventions. Additionally, I have been to many, many bonsai exhibitions around the world and truly was impressed with the New Jersey Bonsai Exhibition and Sale. Congratulations to all the organizers, society members, exhibitors and vendors who worked together to raise the level of bonsai. I look forward to what the next exhibition brings.
Join Kora Dalager and me for the 50th Anniversary Gafu Ten Shohin Bonsai Exhibition held in Kyoto, Japan, in early January. This is the premier exhibition of shohin bonsai in Japan. Some of the best shohin bonsai masterpieces will be displayed for your appreciation and study.
Photos are included from the 45th Gafu Ten Bonsai Exhibition.
See what special displays they are organizing to commemorate their 50th anniversary of shohin bonsai exhibitions. A huge sales area complete this event.
A day of garden visits begin this exciting tour in Kyoto, Japan.
Join Kora Dalager and me for the 50th Anniversary Gafu Ten Shohin Bonsai Exhibition held in Kyoto, Japan in early January. This is the premier exhibition of shohin bonsai in Japan. Some of the best shohin bonsai masterpieces will be displayed for your appreciation and study.
Images are included from the 45th Gafu Ten Bonsai Exhibition.
See what special displays they are organizing to commemorate their 50th anniversary of shohin bonsai exhibitions. A huge sales area complete this event.
A day of garden visits begin this exciting tour in Kyoto, Japan.
Additionally, we will also be visiting the 98th anniversary of the Meifu Ten Bonsai Exhibition in Nagoya. This is also a large exhibition which display all sizes of bonsai.
Additionally, we will also be visiting the 98th anniversary of the Meifu Ten Bonsai Exhibition in Nagoya. This is also a large exhibition which display all sizes of bonsai.
There is also an optional extension to Tokoname where many of the best bonsai container are produced. You will have the opportunity to visit these famous masters and also to purchase pots at a great discount.
Join Kora Dalager and me for a special tour to experience Japanese culture and bonsai. Please contact Kora at dalagerkora@gmail.com for additional information. She can arrange special visits if you like.
Join me and hundreds of bonsai lovers next weekend in Lincroft, New Jersey for their Exhibition & Sale. The Bergen, Deep Cut, Great Swamp and Pennsylvania Bonsai Societies are sponsoring this exhibition. Over 50 beautiful bonsai from around the region will be on display for your appreciation.
Lots of vendors will be bringing bonsai, pre-bonsai, pots, tools and More! Of course, there will be an award banquet and benefit auction to help with expenses.
Saturday afternoon I’ll presenting lecture/demo on how to design and pot a Trident maple forest.
South Africa 2011
On Sunday afternoon I’ll be leading a critique on the exhibited bonsai discussing the species, history, containers, training and display aesthetics.
Kyoto, Japan, Taikan Bonsai Exhibition 2019
Here is a sneak preview of my two bonsai for the exhibition. The first historic photo from 1990 is one of my small bonsai I’ve been training for 54 years. It looks better now, come see how it has matured as a refined bonsai.
My other exhibit bonsai is a rather unusual species which most people are not aware of. Come see it to learn about it….
I’m looking forward to greeting long-time members and making new friends. Looks like it will be a fun, learning experience. Don’t miss it!
Have you ever considered to visit the Japan bonsai community and to experience Japanese culture?
Here is your opportunity to experience the Taikan Bonsai Exhibition, visit private bonsai collections, and Kyoto gardens. A visit to Tokoname to purchase bonsai containers is also available too!
In November Kora Dalager and I will be leading another one of our popular value-priced trips to Japan. Only a small number of members will be accepted for this tour so we will have ample time to fully appreciate the beauty and culture of Japan. Because of the timing of the Taikan Bonsai Exhibition we will be returning home in time to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.
Omiya Bonsai Village, the mecca of bonsai, will be experienced, where you will see the top bonsai gardens where many of the famous masterpiece bonsai have been created and are maintained. You will have the opportunity to meet the top bonsai artists and see their trees, both outdoors and in small indoor displays. The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, near the village will be on the tour where formal instructive displays, in English, can be seen as well as formal bonsai alcove displays. You can then stroll through a large outdoor garden with masterpieces displayed throughout. Directly across the street we will experience a delicious traditional Japanese luncheon.
Bonsai artist Masahiko Kimura will be visited and here you can see many of the top evergreen bonsai in his small, intimate garden. He always has time for us and answers your questions as well.
A visit to Seiji Morimai’s nearby S-Cube bonsai garden is always a highlight because of friendly hospitality while seeing thousands of bonsai and suiseki. He also accepts credit cards as well…. Bonsai containers, at great prices as well as display tables and art are always popular with our groups.
Kiunio Kobayashi’s Shunka-en Bonsai Art Museum in Tokyo is a visit you will not forget. Here ten indoor formal bonsai displays will feature some of the finest, and most expensive bonsai in Japan. Outdoors a small koi pond is surrounded with other masterpieces. Having run out of room, another area has been constructed on top of the building holding antique containers and more suiseki. Truly a breathtaking experience!
A bullet train ride will bring you nearby views of famed Mt. Fuji on our way to Kyoto. November is the peak season for enjoying the red colorful Japanese maple leaves. They are featured in all the historical and famous gardens we will tour. Additionally we will visit Mr. Morimai’s new bonsai garden display in a 800 year old temple complex.
Of course, one of the main highlights of this special tour includes visits to the Taikan Bonsai Exhibition, one of the largest in Japan with nearly 300 bonsai formally displayed with scrolls, accessories and suiseki. The sales area is one of the largest in Japan.
Following the Kyoto visit we will travel to the Nagoya area for a special visit to a temple complex in the middle of a bamboo grove. After seeing a superb private bonsai collection we will have a traditional vegetarian lunch with a bamboo theme.
Finally we will make a stop to Tokoname, an ancient pottery town. Although most famous for toilet bowls, they are now well known for high quality bonsai containers. You will meet some of the top bonsai potters and also have the opportunity to watch them hand build bonsai containers in their factories. All the containers are offered at special discounted prices for our tour.
Join Kora Dalager and me for a special tour to experience Japanese culture and bonsai. Please contact Kora at dalagerkora@gmail.com for additional information. She can arrange special visits if you like.
A tour flyer is available
I look forward to exploring the Japanese bonsai world and celebrating Thanksgiving in Kyoto.
Wisteria creates an outstanding splash of color in the spring garden with their sweet fragrance, especially when trained for bonsai. The autumn season brings a clear yellow foliage display. There are two main species commonly trained for bonsai, the Chinese and Japanese. In North America, the Chinese wisteria is the most popular. The primary differences between the Chinese and Japanese wisteria are the flowers, foliage and growth habit. There are over 100 different Wisteria cultivars selected for flower size, shape, color and fragrances. Some have been chosen for variegated leaves and different growth habits.
Chinese Wisteria, Wisteria sinensis trained by Bob Blankfield
Chinese Wisteria, Wisteria sinensis
The Chinese wisteria is most popular in North America, and many have naturalized in southern states. They can be invasive. Chinese wisteria blooms usually simultaneously, perhaps the reason for its popularity. Usually, the leaves appear during the late period of flowering. The flowers are much fuller than the Japanese species, and much shorter as well. Since they have naturalized in some areas it is easy to find old heavy trunks. They can be easily and quickly developed into pleasing bonsai. Very few if any small roots. Old overgrown Wisterias from the garden landscape are often dug, drastically pruned and trained for bonsai. The trunk wood tends to rot so there may be future design challenges.
Chinese Wisteria, Wisteria sinensis
Chinese Wisteria, Wisteria sinensis
Chinese Wisteria, Wisteria sinensis trained from a collected wild stump
Japanese Wisteria, Wisteria floribunda
Japanese Wisteria, Wisteria floribunda
Japanese wisteria tends to have the upper part of the raceme without flowers (bare stalk), the middle section in full bloom and the lower section with unopened buds since the blossoms open from the top down. Sometimes it takes two weeks for the entire plant to blossom. Generally, they flower about a week after the Chinese species.
I have been growing both species for well over 50 years and have not found any difference in their training for bonsai and care. Although the training is identical for both species, most bonsai hobbyists probably are not certain (or care) which they have. Most Wisteria are probably mislabeled, but the beautiful and fragrant blosoms are the main reasons for enjoyment.
A reliable method to differentiate between Chinese and Japanese wisteria is to observe the foliage and the direction the vine grows, both are different.
One of my favorite Wisteria cultivars is the Rokushaku Wisteria. The Japanese word “roku” means six, and “shaku” is an old Japanese measurement of about 12”, so the name means six feet long. Yes, this cultivar is supposed to have floral racemes six feet long! I have only been able to grow one measuring 57” in my garden.
This cultivar was given to me by the Japanese bonsai pioneer Saichi Suzuki who took cuttings from a plant in a nearby temple in Okazaki, Japan. Mr. Suzuki also introduced Zuisho Japanese five-needle pine over 50 years ago and pioneered the techniques for developing short needles on Japanese black pine bonsai in the late 1930s. His grandson, Toru is now the proprietor of Daiju-en Bonsai Garden and continues his father’s and grandfather’s excellence in bonsai. He will be one of the judges and demonstrators at the next 9th US National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester, New York on September 13-14, 2025.
During a visit with him he graciously gave Chase Rosade and Lynn Porter who were traveling with me each a small cutting of his special Wisteria which was about the size of a chopstick. This was bout 50 years ago and I planted my cutting in my mother’s garden for a few years. After I married Diane we moved our garden, I transplanted it next to the “great wall” in our display garden The trunk has thickened considerably and is now over 18” in diameter, with considerable movement as well.
I have taken numerous cuttings of this cultivar and planted one young skinny specimen around the flagpole in front of our home about 30 years ago. In 2017 it produced a spectacular display for the first time. Wisterias tend to “show off” every couple of years. This spring it was my original cutting which presented a spectacular and fragrant display for our Spring Open House & Sale last weekend.
Screenshot
June 2023
June 2023
May 2024
June 2023
The garden specimen in front of our home has grown to about 15 feet in diameter and has been pruned many, many times. Last year in early June, in full leaf, my friends helped me to drastically prune the plant to look like a giant bonsai in the ground. During the decades the tree was leaning over to much for my taste, and we needed the help of a 4-wheel drive Ford pick-up truck with an orange cable to raise the tree and put it back on the flagpole. Certainly, neighbors and people who passed the naked tree thought I was crazy (perhaps they are correct.) By September the newly shaped Wisteria needed to be trimmed two times because it grew so vigorously. By the way, it has never been watered or fertilized. It now needs another haircut when we finish trimming the bonsai.
Amethyst Falls American Wisteria
American Wisteria Species
There are a couple of native North American wisteria species. The American Wisteria, Wisteria frutescens, has several named cultivars. The cultivar ‘Amethyst Falls’ is a popular garden vine in North America and is trained for bonsai. It is not as vigorous as other species, however, has shorter, smaller flowers which often bloom throughout the summer.
The Kentucky Wisteria, Wisteria macrostachya, is native to the southern states and often found in swamps from Louisiana north to Illinois. There are a few cultivars of the Kentucky Wisteria, but I have not had the opportunity to grow and train this species.
Dwarf Wisteria millettia japonica
Dwarf Wisteria millettia japonica
Summer Wisterias
There are a few Wisterias which bloom during the summer season, which are not actually in the Wisteria genus but rather Millettia. There are some other Millettias which are named “Natsu Fuji” and “Satsuma Fuji.”
Included within this grouping is Millettia japonica, which is grown for summer displays. Common names for this small-treasured jewel include “Dwarf Wisteria, “Ko Fuji (small,) “Hime Fuji” (princess) and “Mekura Fuji” (blind.) This cultivar is rarely seen in blossom, however Boon sent me a photo of one in blossom. I sent the photo to Japan and the response was “I would be a millionaire in Japan if I had one.” However, the Dwarf Wisteria is appreciated for the tiny, dainty foliage which looks identical to larger Wisterias. They are primarily displayed in the hot summer season because it presents a “cool feeling.” This is a great plant, if you can find it and will require another article to do it justice, perhaps in the future.
Chinese Wisteria
Chinese Wisteria, only 3 years in training from an old stump
Chinese Wisteria
Japanese Wisteria
Enjoy the beautiful, colorful fragrant flowers of your Wisteria when they flower later-on in spring!
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