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!
This event was sponsored by the three above groups and resulted in a well-attended, educational, beautiful bonsai show with a lot of fun. It took place on May 10-12, 2024 at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The spring weather has finally arrived (and hopefully will persist) and the maples and other flowering specimens are in their glorious spring brilliance.
The International Bonsai Arboretum will be hosting the Spring 2024 Bonsai Open House & Sale
This winter and spring we have created new specimens, received three large Japanese Tokoname-ware pots handmade by Gyozan. Come, visit and purchase items while you walk around the beautiful gardens and bonsai displays.
Save the weekend for a visit to attend our Spring Open House & Sale May 18-19, 2024, in Rochester, New York.
This winter and spring we have created new specimens, received three large Japanese Tokoname-ware pots handmade by Gyozan. Come, visit and purchase items while you walk around the beautiful gardens and bonsai displays.
The Bonsai Society of Upstate New York will be having the 51st one day exhibition on Sunday, May 19 from 9am to 5pm at the Golosano Autism Center. The exhibition is about a 10-15 minute drive to the International Bonsai Open House. It is also the last day of the famous Lilac Festival, just down the road from the exhibition. Make a weekend of it and visit all!
The MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies held their annual spring festival on April 19-21, 2024, at the Holiday Inn in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The group is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the art of bonsai through its annual regional spring festival, which moves locations close to its members societies. It is comprised by the Bergen Bonsai Society, Bonsai Society of Greater Hartford, Bonsai Society of the Lehigh Valley, Pioneer Valley Bonsai Society, Brandywine Bonsai Society, Deep Cut Bonsai Society, Great Swamp Bonsai Society, Mohawk-Hudson Bonsai Society, Pennsylvania Bonsai Society, Susquehanna Bonsai Club and the Yama Ki Bonsai Society.
Headliners for this year’s Bonsai Festival were Boon Manakitivipart, Sergio Cuan and Ralph Torres. The educational event included lecture-demonstrations, workshops, a vendor area, critiques of the exhibit representing bonsai from each organization. A few select photos are shared below.
I’ve been training this Japanese larch, Larix kaempferi, from a two- year bare root seedling for about six years. It has been trained in the two-line cascade style in a small square white glazed container. This preferred front is shown here but the back view of this bonsai is acceptable and might be used in a shohin bonsai composition if a different direction is required for eve movement Generally, I do not prefer tall cascade containers, primarily because I can’t figure out how to effectively display them…
Before potting-front
The original container is Japanese and did service well for the training years. But now is the time for an upgrade. I like to put good trees in good containers. The container quality was not up to my taste for a proper exhibition presentation.
Before potting- back
Container selection is very personal and important for creating an aesthetically pleasing bonsai impact. There are many factors to consider when choosing the “right” container including:
Size
Shape
Color
Texture
Horticultural requirements to successfully keep the tree alive (both in winter and summer)
Purpose (to sell or keep the bonsai)
How the bonsai is going to be displayed
Season for display is important. A deciduous species might look good in winter in a shallow container but not be massive enough in summer full leaf. I have several different containers of various colors for one bonsai and often the color is determined by the accessory color of the container or for composing a box table shohin bonsai display.
Finally consider the quality and respect the bonsai
Before potting- back
This topic is rarely discussed, as most hobbyists just want to keep the tree alive in the “correct” size, shape and color container. However, consider the quality as well. I can use an inexpensive $20 container or a finer quality $200 container. And, probably 80% of the bonsai hobbyists could not see the difference and most don’t even care or consider it important.
However, we are attempting to raise the level of bonsai and many subtle little-known factors are important, which beginners, as well as seasoned growers don’t realize or understand. They don’t have the background, taste or understanding to make such distinctions. They do select and use containers and teach. Of course, personal taste is important. Many times, I must think about the selection process, often putting several containers in front of the bonsai for several days or a week.
My apprentice, Brian Whitcomb wired the tree, and I made the final adjustments. But he used so much wire, which was necessary, on the tree that it would not stand upright. Annealed copper wire IS heavy, so a specific suitable container must be selected. I searched my studio and found a few containers, then two friends who have excellent taste went upstairs to my “special secret stash” and brought down several more. Later, another friend came downstairs with another container. I’m not allowed to go upstairs alone… All together we had over 15 suitable containers. Not all are shown here. Please note the small stone inserted to keep the tree upright during the selection process. My personal thoughts and tastes are included.
Container 2: American from Teresa Wooden from Michigan. The size and shape are good, but the painted dragon is a bit too colorful for this narrow leaf evergreen. I would use it for a flowering or fruiting species. Fine quality.
Container 5: Japanese container. Again, the size and shape are acceptable, even if a bit too large. And the bright blue glaze would contrast in early spring with the young emerging needs, But not the image for this tree. I do, however use blue glazed containers for this deciduous conifer. Fine quality.
Container 6: Japanese container of Tokoname-ware. I like the design and clay color; however, the container is a bit too deep for me. Very fine quality.
Container 7: Chinese production container. Size, and shape are good along with the rope belt design, but the yellow glaze is not the image I’m trying to present. Good quality.
Container 8: Japanese production container from Tokoname. Not all bonsai containers from Tokoname are high quality. Tokoname is well known for sewer tiles and tea pots. I could live with this container, but it is not the quality I’m looking for. Not high quality and thin.
Container 10: Japanese Tokoname ware from the Bigei Kiln. Every factor is perfect with this selection, except the size is too large. Very fine quality.
Container 11: Japanese production container. Size and shape are acceptable, but the color is too bright, besides this container has a prominent out lip which I prefer for deciduous species. But please consider I’m quite picky and have developed specific refinement tastes during my over 60 years of bonsai study. Although I do often use outer lip containers for evergreen species.
I must mention that ALL these containers would be suitable.
So, which one did I finally use? A round, unglazed container my third friend found. I also have photos on the table selections for a future time.
My Monday Senior Crew and I organized a special celebration to commemorate the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. Rochester, New York, was in the direct path of totality for the solar eclipse as it stretched across 15 states. Schools closed as well as many businesses, including Wegmans for about an hour.
As usual the Monday Senior Crew began arriving at 8:30 am to assist me. We prepared the plants, containers, soil, wire, and display for the Introductory Bonsai Course which began at 7:00 pm. The group organized an eclipse picnic luncheon, as we often do on special occasions. Of course, we all had to stop working to partake in our traditional “doughnut thirty” (10:30 am break.) Following this, the luncheon was prepared. Included was: eclipse soup, chili, shrimp cocktail, a cheese and cracker tray, tuna stuffed red peppers, cornbread, salad, sumo oranges, key lime and chocolate pie. Everyone contributed goodies for this special luncheon. There were about 12 of us dining together in the bonsai studio at 12:30 pm, along with two dogs and two cats. The house cat did not want to join us. Of course, we served three types of moon pies and four flavors of sun chips.
A few days earlier two friends took 15 Dawn Redwoods established in one-gallon pots which were root bound. Each tree, which ranged from about 12-18 inches, with a couple reaching two feet in height. After the base of the trunks were found the root balls were cut back to about two inches thick. They were much easier to handle than before trimming. Each tree had their reduced root balls teased out and then a basic root trimming. The tops of the trees were not touched. Each tree was then soaked in water with Superthrive and HB 101. Finally, the root balls were shrink wrap to maintain moisture to the excellent fibrous feeder roots. All the Dawn Redwoods were the same age and there was not too much variation in trunk diameters and heights. They were then graded to size by the trunk diameters, as the tops could be easily pruned. Each tree was numbered and kept in a cool garage until the group demo. I have a couple of tricks to create the appearance of thicker trunks.
Everything was prepared outdoors where there should have been an optimal viewing area to stare at the wonderful vent, with special glasses for eye protection. Unfortunately, we had cloudy skies and the glasses were not necessary. The day before the eclipse and the day after were clear and with no clouds but warm blue skies. But the clouds did not deter us from having fun and enjoying the historic event. Since the next total solar eclipse is not due to happen in Rochester, New York, until 2144, and I doubt we will be attending.
Each member planted a tree, and my final tree represented five people who could not attend due to medical problems. Just look at all the smiling faces as they contributed their tree to the large forest in the plastic training tray. The trees were not trimmed back because the crowding branches help to stabilize the trees while planting. Also, some of the soil was moistened to make it heavier. A few of the root balls were trimmed to place them closer together. Annealed copper wire was used to tie the trees into the tray and to hold a few trunks close together. Sheet moss was quickly planted to help stabilize the trees, but it will be replaced when the entire composition is completed. It will probably take me two hours to complete.
We were fast working to try to finish before the darkness came upon us. We were a few minutes late and the last trimming, not the final, was performed in the complete and total darkness. The actual time is recorded in each photo so the speed could be watched. Fortunately, most friends had flashlights on their mobile phones so we could continue to finish. I have never seen it so dark before, and it suddenly became quiet with the birds stopping singing. Our two dogs wanted to go inside the house for protection or go to bed.
Screenshot
It was a surreal event, and we are all glad it worked out so well. Marc Arpag was the official photographer.
To complete this special celebration, we designed a special display in the indoor alcove. A golden full MOON maple was the principle item for display. A unique solar MOON eclipse hanging scroll was created and displayed, while the accessory was a black crescent MOON vase with contorted willow and a couple of sun flowers for color and mass. The vase was positioned on two round thin discs, one brown and the other black. Even the display table for the bonsai was carefully selected for its MOON shape designs on the two sides. Although not a traditional display this was designed to celebrate the solar eclipse.
It was a full delightful day and evening, and I finally ate dinner at 1:00 am. Then watched a recorded TV coverage of the solar eclipse event. I hope you all enjoyed reviewing our celebration as much as we had organizing and completing the event.
During the past 60 plus years I’ve seen and used a multitude of watering wands, nozzles and watering cans. These have ranged from expensive copper Japanese watering cans to very inexpensive Chinese green plastic watering nozzles once imported and distributed by Brussel Martin.
In a hurry, I’ve even used my thumb over an open-end hose. The green Chinese plastic watering nozzles were great, but unfortunately, did not hold up through daily use in my bonsai garden, as the plastic ring holding the rose (nozzle) kept breaking and Superglue would not work. ALL of these, and others will surely get the job done watering bonsai. However, in my pursuit of excellence of correct bonsai watering techniques I’ve had several which were pretty good. But there are some differences and, in my quest, to find the ideal watering nozzle at affordable inexpensive prices has taken me over 60 years.
I’ve had several watering wands which have worked well for my use: Masakuni, Taiwan metal, American Dramm watering breaker nozzles (1,000 holes per rose but now discounted) and Melnor. There are hundreds of models to select from depending on your use and pocketbook. Here are my personal reviews of a few watering nozzles.
Masakuni
The Masakuni nozzle was my first choice because of the fine spray and high quality. They come on a 15-inch metal wand with a removeable rose for easy cleaning. However, when dropped on a hard service the rose would get dented and water would go all over the place which is not good. Currently they are difficult to locate and cost about $50.
Taiwan
After a few years a Chinese knock-off model appeared on the foreign market with a 15-inch Metal Wand. The holes in the rose are quite large and do not produce a fine spray. When dropped the rose was protected from damage with a deep ring which extended over the rose. This worked, however when they switched from metal to a plastic ring, they broke. When available they cost about $25.
Dramm Water Breaker
Dramm is probably the most used watering nozzle used in both gardening and large nursery productions. They have about 15 different nozzles in different colors, each having a different number of holes. The standard plastic nozzle, silver color, has about 400 large holes and a stainless-steel rose. They come in different models and the best I’ve found is red with 1,000 holes. However, it this model is being discontinued. They cost $13 to $23 for the red nozzle. Dramm also makes a large assortment of wands from 15 inches to 60 inches. Several have a built-in shut off in the hand grip.
Melnor And Orbit
For the past several seasons we have been using two great watering wands with eight adjustable water flows from fine to strong made by Melnor. The manufacturer, Melnor, offers an extensive assortment of 80 gardening watering nozzles (adjustable, fixed and pulsating), 21 gardening watering wands with nozzles (long/short handles, multi pattern, shower, and rotating adjustable heads). That’s quite an assortment I never heard of before, and somewhat confusing.
Each wand handle has an adjustable shut off and be regulated on the strength of water flow. Diane discovered these sold in the garden department of Lowe’s and even prefers them over the Masakuni nozzles. The Melnor RelaxGrip Watering Wand has a 33” wand. These have been quite useful with a high-water output yet will not generally blow out the soil in nursery pots and bonsai containers. We have been using them for several seasons now. A watering wand is important so water can be easily applied behind the trunk of a bonsai and reaches difficult small areas, especially when pots are on the ground.
We have also been using the 36-inch Orbit Max Multi-Pattern Wand. Both have worked well. The nozzles are identical, Melnor is yellow, and the Orbit is Blue. However, looking carefully when watering the water does not flow from the center of the nozzles. There is no rose. Both come with a built-in water flow regulator and shut off built in the wand handle. The basic difference is that the blue Orbit has an adjustable watering head which can be easily rotated to reach tight areas, or bonsai on high posts or hanging baskets.
Last season we forgot to protect the watering wands during the freezing winter and most split the metal wands and needed to be replaced. We usually use nine watering wans in my garden. A few days ago, we went to Loew’s to pick up new watering wands. After selecting the Melnor and Orbit watering wands I was looking around and found a new model which seems to be the best.
Melnor RelaxGrip Ultra-Fine Shower Head 15” Watering Wand
This seems to be the best watering wand for bonsai because of the fine even spray. The rose boasts 1004 holes and distributes water in the center of the flow. The Orbit and Melnor do not because they have nozzles not a rose. I have been able to carefully water bonsai with a fine spray three feet away without disturbing the soil. This summer my crew and I will be using the new model for watering the bonsai and nursery stock.
Orbit Max Muti-Pattern Water Wand, (36” with rotating head, blue) $21
Melnor RelaxGrip Ultra-fine Shower Head Watering Wand, (15 inches) $13
These are my current personal opinions and I have no connection or loyalty to Lowe’s but do have a 50 plus year relationship with Masakuni. I hope this review does confuse you in selecting the best watering nozzle for your use as you lovingly water and care for your bonsai. By the way, I have discovered that each bonsai is examined when carefully watering. But, not when in a hurry to water, especially when rain is fast approaching.
The February meeting of the Bonsai Society of Upstate New York, based in Rochester, had an interesting and full meeting last evening. About 35-40 members from Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Ithaca, as well as a couple of new visitors gathered to learn all about cascade style bonsai.
President Mark Arpag was joined by past presidents Harvey Carapella and Bill Valavanis who presented an unusual program drawing from their 150 combined years of bonsai study. We had three formal displays, one by each artist representing a different form of cascade style, and all different species. For this special display the society rented three sections of pipe and drape background. Looking at the demonstration photos one can see empty cups. Those are “tip jars,” not a contest between the three seasoned artists who work well together, help each other and have mutual respect for each other’s artistry. It was just for fun, members deposited folding money in the three tip jars. Those tip jars paid for the rental cost of the background.
Each artist was allocated a six-foot wide display area and presented a cascade bonsai from their personal collections. Mark Arpag displayed his award winning Dwarf Japanese garden juniper trained in the two-line cascade style where the lower trunk was longer. It was displayed with a suiseki and scroll suggesting a winter snowy landscape scene.
Next Harvey Carapella showed his pink Japanese flowering crabapple bonsai trained in the two-line cascade style where the upper trunk was longer than the cascading trunk. This bonsai has brilliant pink flowers in spring. Since it is winter (although the high record-breaking temperature reached 73 degrees for the day) the bonsai had no blossoms. However, a photo of the tree in full flower was placed in front of the bonsai. Since the bonsai was not blooming Harvey displayed a scroll featuring spring flowers. To complete the atmosphere he used an antique figurine of an old man enjoying the beauty of the display.
Bill Valavanis displayed a unique one-line cascade style Blue Rug juniper with deadwood highlights. This tree has been container trained for more than 50 years and originally was in a private bonsai collection in Pennsylvania. The artist had his bonsai collection near a river. When the river overflew and flooded the bonsai area, he found this tree in good health down river. It was displayed on a very tall cascade table to emphasize the beauty of the weeping branches. The accessory used was an antique incense burner, complete with aromatic smoke gently rising from the chimney. A member later came up to Bill to tell him “his house is burning!” Not quite what he wanted to hear… again for the third time. An antique scroll was used to provide the seasonality of this display, a full moon with white snowflakes falling. When used again in a couple of months later they would suggest cherry blossoms falling.
By the way, this entire display was not quickly thrown together. It took considerable effort and time to feature three different species, (two evergreen and one deciduous tree), all in different forms of cascade styles. Finally, the eye movement of the entire display was focused on leading they eye towards the enter deciduous tree, of course all the bonsai were of different sizes and heights as well and all the display tables and accessories were not duplicated.
Two other tables featured an educational exhibit featuring different styles of cascade style bonsai and how they are classified. Finally, Bill Valavanis had two issues of International BONSAI magazines on cascade bonsai which were given away free. One issue featured Yuji Yoshimura’s comprehensive article on his style of cascades complete with his original drawings. The other issue featured an educational illustrated article on cascade bonsai by Bill Valavanis.
Harvey Carapella
Then each artist as provided with an identical dwarf Japanese flowering quince, Chojubai for the demonstrations. Each were formed in different cascade styles. A larger developed white Chojubai dwarf flowering quince was displayed, in the cascade style of course, on the educational table. Finally each artist brought a cascade bonsai from their private collections to work on. Harvey brought a large collected (Eastern white cedar, also called Arborvitae) tree which needed thinning out.
Mark Arpag
Mark brought a small collected Eastern white cedar which he began carving the dead wood and finally potted it into a tiny container. Bill talked about an old Winter hazel bonsai which had died over 20 years ago and was rebuilt from live adventitious shoots. Then he wired a straight trunk young Japanese larch in a one-line cascade style, maybe. It also presented a unique appearance as an upright tree, but the final determination depends on the container and how it will be potted.
Bill Valavanis
All our members and guests seemed to enjoy and learn from this educational program which was quite detailed but not evident to the average bonsai member.
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