Bonsai Traders Association Show - Sheffield

Had a great day out at the BTA Autumn Show at Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield.  Some stunning trees on the displays, great demonstrations and plenty of bargains.
Sorry about the picture quality on the photos, but the lighting was not ideal ( not to mention my non existing knowledge about ISO's and shutter speeds).

Autumn has arrived

Autumn has arrived early on some of my trees.  Here are a few pictures taken today.  

English Elm

Side view of Korean Hornbeam Group

....and the back.  The front is still green.

Cork Bark Maple - just turning

Mame and Shohin Bonsai

I have been working on some of my smaller bonsai today.  Just general trimming and soil maintenance (that is removing weeds, excess moss, sorting out compaction, etc,)

These tiny trees need a lot of attention during the summer, as they grow in very small pots in just a few teaspoons worth of soil.  This means constant watering and feeding.  To help with moisture retention, the pots are sunk up to half way in damp gravel during the hottest months (not that we had any this year).

Here are some pictures:

Trident Maple - Root over rock

Pyracantha - Grown from a cutting

Lonicera nitidia

Lonicera nitidia - apex needs more work

Lonicera nitidia - grown from a cutting

Chinese Elm - redesigned cheap garden centre bonsai

Chinese Elm - another redesigned mallsai

Garden centre Juniper first styling

My friend Mark brought along a small garden centre Juniper that he had sitting around for ages.  Unfortunately we were so busy chatting and working, we forgot to take a before photo.

We got stuck in and ended up with this after about two hours.

Precaution for windy weather

Storm force winds forecast, so I will be spending tomorrow moving the smaller trees under cover and the big ones will have to go under the benches for a bit of protection.  Having lost a nice tree last year when it was blown off the bench, I am not taking any chances.

Wigston Bonsai Club Website is up and running

Having spent the last couple of weeks working on the Club website, I can proudly announce that it is finally up and running at  Wigston Bonsai Club on wordpress.com

Hopefully I will have more time now to keep my own blog up to date.

Greenwood Bonsai Bash

Pictures taken at the Greenwood Bonsai Bash last weekend. Corin did a great job of bringing the best out of this material.  He made a point of talking in depth about all styling decisions, which was very informative and helpful.

A big thank you to Corin for giving permission to publish these photos.

The yamadori Hawthorn to be styled.

..and the reverse side.

The front was marked with the yellow pegs and Corin started removing superfluous foliage and branches

The front was chosen to include the rocks that were embedded into the wood, making a unique feature

Moss and loose debris being removed with a wire brush.

Rough carving work on the deadwood areas

Carin had to be careful not to weaken this dead root too much, as it was holding one of the embedded rocks in place

Loads of sawdust.....

Progress by lunchtime- wiring and placement of branches and detail carving to be done

Close-up of the embedded rock, now clearly visible and enhanced by the carving work

Wire is being applied to the branches, with some choice words from Corin concerning the thorny nature

..contemplating branch placement.

Final adjustments and trimming.[/caption]

Corin gave a summary of the styling process and detail on further development of this tree, including possible pot choices.

The final image.

Stolen Bonsai

Just cut and Pasted this from Mike’s ‘Bonsai Passion’ Blog. Some toe-rag somewhere in the UK has this.

STOLEN BONSAI

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Mike Jones

Korean Hornbeam stolen overnight at the Bath and West garden show. This fine Bonsai belongs to John Trott, aka Mendip Bonsai.

Please do get in touch if you believe you have any knowledge of its whereabouts, or indeed if you hear anything that may assist John to recover his tree. I have included a picture below for reference purposes.