The Bonsai Blog of Eric Newton

Took some pics today and thought I would share with you!  These are some of my trees.

Newt

Once again the Bonsai Society of Kalamazoo hosted master Ben Oki.  It has been a great spending the day with him year after year.  It is always amazing to watch how quickly he works.  His wit and humor are top notch as well.  Enjoy the pics!!!

Newt

The All State Show was bigger and better than ever this year!  It was the 10th anniversary of the event.  677 votes were cast and 88 of the 127 trees exhibited received @ least one vote (69% of the trees).

I would like to thank Anita Buckowing and her crew of helpers for all their work in making this event happen.  I helped by participating in three demos.  A large branch bending demo on one of my large collected junipers, a penjing demo using a juniper and black lava rock and the three way demo with Vance Wood and Will Heath.  Enjoy the pics!!!

P.S.  Some of the pics appear to be cropped wrong in the thumbnails but if you click on the pic it will come up like it should.

Newt

Took a trip to San Francisco, California for work in April.  I stopped by the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s collection in Oakland.  I beleive Cheryl Manning is currator.  I was most impressed with the collection and thought I would share some pictures!  Enjoy!!!

Newt

I have always loved weeping willows.  My Granny and Gramps have many living near them and I have loved playing in them since I was young.  As soon as I saw a thread branch cypress I thought, “now that looks like a miniature willow”.  This one has been in training since 2003, sorry I did not take any “before” pictures; these pics will take us from initial style to present.  The current pot was made by Bill Neff (I see that there is another Bill Neff into bonsai on other forums, not him) who sold off most of his bonsai and related items a couple years ago due to ailing health.  This is one of my favorite trees and has shown some interest from some people who I really respect: The tree placed 9th in the Michigan All State Show last year in the peoples choice voting.  Pauline Muth was nice enough to ask me to exhibit it at the Virginia Beach Learning Seminars.  Bill Valavanis said that it was one of his favorites during a “display critique” at the seminars.  The tree placed in the top 30 USA trees in the USA vs Europe photo contest on the Art of Bonsai site: http://artofbonsai.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=62  And recently I was contacted by Robert Steven who is using the photo from this contest in his upcoming book!  Hope you enjoy it and it’s progression.

Initial styling 2003  5-5-04  

2005 Michigan All State Show  2006 All State Show

2007 before re-pot  2007 Contest entry

This is my favorite accent plant.  It is a silver squill planted on an aquarium stump/slab combo.

Newt

I was up in Grand Rapids for some training.  I am a sucker for stopping by any bonsai shop in the area I am traveling so true to form I stopped by Holwerda’s on my way back.  He had brought some junipers in from the cold to give him something to do and some other material to sell.  I saw this chunky trunked little thing and thought if the price is right you are coming home with me!  When I heard he only wanted $15 I knew the price was right!!!  Since it is still frozen outside and this tree has broken dormancy I will keep it inside till spring (do not worry I have done this many times in the past and have not lost one tree from this). 

So which front do you like?  I am thinking this one will need a round pot!!!

before pics   

Newt

Here is the development of the first mini-jade I ever purchased.  Hmmm come to think of it this is the only mini-jade I have purchased the others have all started as cutting from this one.  I have never had a cutting fail of this species.  I picked it up for myself on my b-day back in 2002.  I don’t have any origonal pics on the computer (was actually using a 35mm back then).  The pot shown was actually a reptile watering dish that I drilled some holes in and used for many years.  This year I felt that the tree has out grow that pot and has found its way into something a little nicer.

 2003/5-16-04  4-05  1-28-08 front  back  left  right

I enjoy working with mini-jade.  They are very tough and can take underwatering.  They also start from cutting easily.  Here is one of the cuttings that I have struck back in 2004 and its development.  The final pot is one of my favorite pots, it was made by a freind who is just finishing up her degree at the Columbus College of Art Design.  Thank you Michelle!!!  After looking at the latest pics either side could be the front!

 Nov. 2004  2006  2006  12-31-07  1-9-08 front  1-9-08 back

Although I may not have a bunch of money to throw at trees right now I do keep my eyes open for deals (as I do wish I had more money for better material).  One of the local nurseries wanted to drop down from 4 to 1 greenhouse to reduce his heating costs.  The locals who learned of this all reaped the rewards.  I picked this one up for $25!!!!  The following pics show its progression from 9-15-07 to present.  Any styling suggestions are welcome!!!

   before pics 9-15-07

      after pruning 9-15-07

     1-19-08 I feel that the top is too heavy for the base and will likely continue more reduction this spring.  What do you think?  I will take a better pic later.