Today I was able to finish up the Zen garden that I have been working on. It was really just the detail left, and adding more bamboo to the fence that I had started last time.

I added horizontal poles in between the ones that were there from the initial build. It just looked too weak before so I wanted to beef up the look of the screen. I think it really worked and made it look just so much better. I’m really happy with it.

The blisters from last week were almost gone, however I certainly noticed them as I made 16 more lashings .

Here’s another close up of one of the many lashings I used. I was really getting good at them by the end of this project.

So all that is left is just to relax and enjoy. Finally some Zen…

Share on Facebook

So I thought I’d share with all of you what I have in my Bonsai Tool bag. Many of these tools are used quite frequently, and some have been there in a pinch. However all of them have come in handy at one time or another.

The bag I use is one that I found at a local home improvement store. I liked that it was an open design and had a solid structure.

Most important to me are the side pouches. These are useful for a number of reasons. First is that it is easy to see the tools you have to work with without having to take them out. Secondly they are easy to grab when you are working on a tree. Lastly, is that the tools can dry after being used so that they don’t rust. I do dry my tools with a towel when I use them, but this allows for additional air drying to occur.

My most used (and some of the more expensive tools) are the Root cutter and Large Knob Cutter. Both very large and very heavy tools. Its nice to be able to get to them quickly. Also shown is a stainless steel brush, Nylon brush, root hook, and two rolls of wire (probably 1.5mm and 2.0mm).

From this angle you can see my camera (a nice camera that STAYS IN THE BAG), cut paste, root sickle, and chop sticks.

My most expensive tools (and my favorites) reside in a leather tool roll inside my tool bag. Most of the time I use my other tools. However if I am working on something special or participating in a workshop I bring these out.

All of these tools are available at Orlando Bonsai, and I really do use them. I hope you found this interesting and useful.

Share on Facebook

I have been asked by a lot of people what tools are needed for bonsai. However that is not the easiest of questions to answer. Sure as the owner of the Orlando Bonsai Store I am always looking to make a sell, but depending on level of experience of the individual a sell isn’t needed. I always suggest to new people to bonsai to take it slow. Many tools that they most likely already own are enough to do the basic pruning, trimming, and maintenance of any entry level tree. So I recommend not just buying any and every tool that there is, and to focus on quality. BUY THE GOOD STUFF. In the long run it will pay for itselt by not having to buy the same tools over and over.

However once the bonsai artist begins to aquire more skills and learn more advanced techniques they will need tools specially designed for the bonsai artist in each of us.

First and foremost is the concave cutter, This tool works like no other cutter in the lawn and garden center of any home improvement store. It is designed to remove the branch in a manor that allows for the natural healing of a tree to roll over the wound and leave a flat and very reduced scar.

In future posts I will continue to review other tools in my tool bag, and preovide suggestions on which options exists. If you have questions please feel free to ask.

Share on Facebook

Well I am happy to report that I have a new member of my bonsai collection. This tree was traded with Jason Schley of Schley’s Bonsai in Holly Hill Florida for my beloved Podocarpus that was shown at Epcot a few years ago. This photo doesn’t really do the tree justice.

Share on Facebook