Warm and confusion

This spell of warm weather has really got things confused.

  
The Chinese quince are pushing out 

   
 
Chouyubai are well away but they flower all winter anyway but look good already.

  
My biggest problem is berries they seem to be going over quick this year which will spoil the effect come show time next year.

   
 
We will have to wait till closer to shows to work out what is going to work. Glad it’s not Noelanders year for shohin. With the national shohin show in April it’s just to early to plan what I will use. Just a case of eat drink and be merry time. 

Happy Christmas all.

Shohin UK 2 bonsai show 2015

Sorry for a late post on last weeks shohin show. This was the second Shohin UK in Bristol, it was a long wait with the first show back in 2013. It was a huge success and credit to the Coopers and the team for staging another high quality show. Well done to all that put together some super exhibits all very well presented. We need to keep up the momentum for shohin shows so where are we going next year? 

                                                                              

Taishoen Part 2

I thought I had taken more pictures at the nursery, but realised I must of just been soaking up the enjoyment of our surroundings.
This maple was undergoing some major approach grafts.

Plenty of superb larger trees of the highest quality.

This sign really says it all, the commitment to expand and share the hobby with the whole world.

Thank you to Taiga for all his hospitality during the day and to my superb travelling companions Mark & Ritta and Stewart.

Taishoen Part 1

This was a true highlight of our trip, not only meeting the talented and very welcoming Taiga, but being treated to a bright clear day to see the majestic Fuji-San

The nursery is bigger than the average that I have visited in the past, the work room is comfortable and warm lit by large glass windows and doors. It was good to see Taiga working alongside the deshi even if his material was better than there’s.

The nursery is well known for its shohin bonsai but it also has a good spread of sizes and species.

That’s all for now, part 2 soon.

O and I brought a pot.

Kouka-en part 3

More trees from Kouka-en nursery.

I think this was my favourite tree, black pine over rock it was interesting and something different.

That’s all from Kouka-en thank you to Bjorn for showing us around and to the others for making it a joy to visit.

Next up will be Taishoen.

Kouka-en part 2

This was a nursery that has been top of my list to visit for some time, and it did not disappoint.

This juniper I first saw in Peter Warrens blog last year, and in the flesh it did not disappoint.

This large Hinoki Sekka that Owen styled a while back was good to meet as I have some of the cuttings he struck from what was removed in the styling.

Chatting with Bjorn about this prunus he said it was struggling due to its age so 4 years ago it was grafted with new foliage and the old all removed. This means everything other than the main trunk is only 4 years old. The tree now grows like a teenager again.

Where as this maple is on a slow decline to the end of its life, it’s already lost a major branch half way up.

Watering in winter is relatively alien to us in the UK other than trees in sheltered position, but in Japan after lunch trees were checked and most were watered we saw this at Taishoen as well.

That’s all for now part 3 soon.

The 85th Meifu-ten 2015 part 2

At this point I would like to thank John Milton for guiding us through the exhibits pointing out why things had been done and history on some trees.

john on the left and Mark Cooper.
Part 3 soon.

Gafu-ten 2015 part 1

With our 10day trip fast becoming a distant memory, it’s only now I can find the time and the wifi to do some posts. Having enjoyed the trees on the first day without a camera in my hand, I left it to our second day to do some pictures. Having spent far to long in the sales area chatting with various dealers and friends I finally got to the trees only to find we had misjudged the closing time by an hour, so it was all a bit rushed.

Part 2 coming soon.

Kouka-en part 1

After a snowy start in Kyoto we made our way over to Osaka and by the time we arrived the sun was out and it was quite warm. We were welcomed by Bjorn and his team and enjoyed a super day on the nursery and even picked up a few tips, one I will share in a future post. For now enjoy the video and part two or even 3 will be photos.

Gafu-ten the preliminary part 0.5

Today saw the first day of the Gafu-ten, just the most amazing trees in a friendly atmosphere. Got to meet a few people I have only spoken with on email and seen trees only seen in books. As the show is still on till Sunday I won’t post trees till it’s finished. So just a few picks to wet your appetite.

Plenty more to come.