As someone who’s 68 years old and has a deep connection with nature and loved ones, I often meet people who are beginning their bonsai journey as a way to support their mental health. Bonsai has brought a deep sense ..read more

This is a followup from my previous post The notion that bonsai is an art form and that freedom of expression is an integral element speaks to the deep relationship between creativity and discipline within this ancient practice. Bonsai is ..read more

In the bonsai world, there’s a term that strikes deep: cookie-cutter bonsai. It’s not just a label—it’s an insult. These trees are the soulless products of a system designed to mass-produce mediocrity. They flood garden centres, hardware stores, and even ..read more

Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 years ago, and potentially even earlier, a solitary seed from a yew berry took root in what would eventually evolve into the village of Fortingall in Perthshire. This remarkable tree, contorted into enchanting shapes, still stands today, likely ranking as the oldest living entity in Britain, I have visited this amazing tree many times in the grounds of the Kirk (Church) in Glen Lyon Scotland. Local archaeological sites suggest that this ancient yew might have been the focal point of an Iron Age cult. According to local lore, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor over ..read more

In the world of bonsai, the pursuit of perfection is an unending journey. With over 40 years of experience under my belt, I thought I had seen it all. However, an invitation to explore the latest online lecture series from Bonsai Empire, titled “Developing Bonsai from Seed,” has opened my eyes to techniques that really help you develop bonsai from the ground up. At first glance, the course promises to guide enthusiasts in the art of developing bonsai from seed. But let me assure you, it’s much more than that. In fact, this comprehensive course includes invaluable lessons on air layering and de ..read more

Bonsai Intermediate Course 2 From Bonsai Empire With Bjorn Bjorholm and Michael Hagedorn In the course Bjorn Bjorholm and Michael Hagedorn cover extensively the topic of Pruning – breaking it down by tree species as well as by the developmental stages of the tree. They also show how to create a root over rock Bonsai, and investigate various Fruiting and flowering tree species. I particularly liked the pruning and growth of deciduous trees, Bjorn explains in detail how to development young material from the early stages all the way to refining your tree. Bjorn prunes a Maple bonsai and explain ..read more

Here is Part One Here is Part Two ..read more

Last weekend I visited The Japanese Garden at Cowden in Scotland it was created in 1908 and closed to the public in 1955. Aside from being beautiful and peaceful, the garden is the only one of its type in the world to have been designed by a Japanese woman, Taki Handa. Sadly vandalised in the 1960’s, the garden is being brought back to life by a team of experts including the renowned Japanese architect and garden designer Professor Masao Fukuhara.  The Professor is best known for winning the Gold Medal at Chelsea Flower Show as well as the restoration of The Japanese Gardens at Kew, Londo ..read more

There are too many fancy over elaborate Jins and stumps being ‘carved’ in bonsai, the best way to create natural looking deadwood is to hand strip and hand carve, ONLY use power tools to remove bulk ..read more

I created this temporary garden just for fun after seeing some cactus planted in a car ..read more