If you are in Florida in November, come take a safari with Orlando Bonsai to the Melbourne Zoo. We are one of the vendors mentioned in the announcement the Brevard Zoo posted on their web site :

November 17 – 18 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bonsai Weekend, hosted by the Bonsai Society of Brevard, will be held November 17 – 18 in the Nyami Nyami River Lodge. Bonsai is the artistic miniaturization of trees, woody, or semi-woody plants shaped as trees, by growing them in small containers. The art of bonsai became a part of the Japanese culture when China invaded Japan in the 14^th century and its popularity spread to the United States after World War II. The exhibit features more than 60 trees, demonstrations on how to care for bonsai, and vendors will also be on-site selling bonsai trees and related materials. This exhibit is free with Zoo admission and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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We will be there in person selling our wares, admiring the bonsai displayed in the permanent exhibit and enjoying the special bonsai events and, of course, the animals and the zoo. Come join us!

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The weather has been beautiful here for bonsai gardeners.  Well, if you ignore the winds and rain from Hurricane Sandy.  I hope the storm is not too harsh as it goes up the eastern seaboard.  It’s knocked a few bonsai over here but no damage, thankfully.  The temperature was actually cool this evening.  The bonsai seem to be enjoying it too!  Buds and pink flowers abound on my camellia, the Chinese hat plant is in bloom and some of the bougainvillea are still sporting flowers. All of the bonsai know that fall is here and winter is around the corner!

As always, be sure to look for updates on our Facebook page.

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I can’t tell you how many times people have told me that they purchased a tree, or collected one only to find that when they clear away some of the top soil that the tree continued to widen out.  This not only will add height to the tree when planted at the proper soil level, but will add a stronger look for the tree as the nebari width increases. 

A few years ago when I potted up my bouganvillea I had to plant it rather low because I had changed the angle of the tree dramatically.  It showed no surface roots and had no flair.  However this week I decided to repot the tree into a smaller pot to bring attention to the massive trunk.  However when I cleared away the soil the trunk had some great surpises to show me.

The trunk had great flair and roots had developed. In addition I was now able to pot the tree up about 3″ higher.

You can see the old soil line and how much more strength the repot gave the tree.

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I hope that you all remember the post I did a year or two ago about the person that gave me this Bouganvillea (as pre-bonsai) named Bob.  I had a computer crash and lost all of the information I had about his full name, phone number and address.  Well as luck would have it, Bob contacted me again and I now have all his information in a safe place.  I can’t thank him enough for this tree, and that a part of his efforts are on display at Disney as well. 

He called me from the Japanese Pavillion in Epcot and said, “I can’t say it enough…..simply stunning….The only words I can use to describe the Bougainvillea at Epcot… when I gave you that stump 2 years ago I knew that you had the patience and the knowledge to turn that stump into a piece of art second to none…”

Bob with the Bouganvillea at Epcot

I am glad that he could share in this exhibit and see how many people appreciate seeing these trees on display.  Thanks again Bob!

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I always like to share information to help other people display their trees.  Although a lot of work goes into styling and caring for the tree, it is the finishing touches that really make your tree stand out in a display.  Some easy touches are adding a fresh top layer of soil mix, and cleaning the bonsai pot. 

Surface soil prior to show

New Soil applied and the rimmed oiled

Here is the tree with just a quarter inch of new soil added and fresh moss.  In order to bring out the great color of the pot I apply a thin layer of walnut oil.  It has a nice satin finish compared to other oils.

The pot before oil applied

As you can see there is no depth to the pot and the color is a bit washed out.

Ready for show

What a difference!  Just look how much better the color is.  Even though the pot has a shine to it now, the oil will soak in and take the strong oil look away.    With just a few minutes of effort the tree went from plain and ordinary to a real treasure.

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