Michael started Bonsai at age 15, which eventually led to an apprenticeship under master Shinji Suzuki. He spend several years in Japan learning about Bonsai, after which he returned to the United States to start his own garden.
In this article we share several photos of the tranquil and absolutely wonderful Bonsai garden of Michael Hageforn, as well as a movie we made when we visited him. Enjoy!
An attempt at collecting a tree from the wild has cost a handsome pine its life and sent a wave of outrage across the bonsai world. One example among many of a practice that is unworthy of the art of bonsai.
The European Bonsai-San Show is about to open its doors to the public this entire weekend, but we were allowed to take a peak into the exhibit already. Find the first photos of this year's event here.
And with headliners including Ryan Neil and David Benavente, the Bonsai demonstrations will be very interesting too. Stay tuned!
This post shows the garden of Bonsai artist Boon Manakitivipart (aka Bonsai Boon). His garden is located near San Francisco and showcases a great collection of Bonsai trees and accent plants.
We added several photos, as well as a short movie touring around the garden.
This Taxus Baccata Bonsai is truly wonderful. I saw it on display at the Noelanders Trophy in 2015 and again last weekend at the Bonsai San Show. It was styled by Andres Alvarez Iglesias and David Benavente. We managed to get Andres in front of our camera to do an interview on the tree's history and progression.
Ryan Neil has quickly become one of the most respected Bonsai artists of this time, flying around giving demonstrations and workshops. Navigating through his busy schedule and allowing only five years time, he and his wife Chelsea managed to build a great home, garden and Bonsai collection called Bonsai Mirai.
Oscar from Bonsai Empire visited the Neil family and was allowed to film and photograph the Bonsai garden. With Ryan introducing several of his most valued Bonsai trees on camera, the movie is highly educational!
In 1993 Walter saw this maple in Switzerland. “It impressed me very much, although it was in a very neglected state”. It was imported from Japan around 1980 from a major bonsai nursery. It had not been treated very well.
Walter was able to purchase the tree, and since years, this tree is one of the best known trees in Europe. In the article he reviews the progress the tree made, and the qualities and flaws of the tree.
David Benavente is a well-known Bonsai artist from Spain. He set up a great garden near Madrid (Spain), which is open for visitors.
At the Bonsai-San show held two weeks ago, David Benavente and Andres Alvarez Iglesias both set up four Tokonoma displays. This traditional method of displaying Bonsai trees, together with an accent plant and scroll, is difficult as it should follow the style of tree as well as the current season.
Oscar interviewed both David and Andres and took several photos of the displays too. Enjoy!
Enzo Ferrari is a Bonsai artist from the Italian parts of Switzerland. He appears at most European Bonsai events and gives lectures and demonstrations.
Yamadori trees have their own presence and character from the very beginning of their Bonsai-life, they are thrilling to work with. The first Bonsai trees ever were trees collected by monks in the mountains so in a way this is the original, and personally my favorite way of Bonsai.
One of the things I like most about Bonsai is the fact that it is a living art. Bonsai trees change over time as well as through the seasons. Fall might just be the most spectacular time to enjoy deciduous Bonsai; this is the time when leaves change color, resulting in dramatic appearances of the trees.
Bonsai artist Luis Vallejo (from Spain) agreed to do a series with Bonsai Empire; the seasons of Bonsai. The first edition is the Fall. Enjoy these amazing photos!
Over one hundred great trees on display, eight demonstrations, free workshops for children and a wonderful location: Tony Tickle on the Bonsai Europa 2015 event.
Almost forgot, Tony also shares studioshots from the winning trees in this post... ;-)
In this movie, Taiga Urushibata explains how to create a Shari (deadwood part of the trunk) on a Bonsai. The trick is to study the live veins on the tree carefuly, and only remove those parts of the trunk not linked to the branches above it.
Enjoy watching!
"Help! My Bonsai is losing leaves!"
Unfortunately, we get these cries for help quite often on our forums. Taking care of a Bonsai tree can be a bit overwhelming for beginners, but with this guide you should be fine. We'll investigate the causes of your tree losing leaves and the remedies!
We were incredibly honored to have the famous Bonsai master from Tokyo, mr. Kunio Kobayashi, join in on our 15th anniversary celebration. We asked him: what makes a Bonsai truly great?
Enjoy watching!
The 17th edition of the Noelanders Trophy has started today and the trees on display are once again, stunning! Over 100 Bonsai trees on display, two entire rows with Suiseki viewing stones and 80 traders make this the epicenter of European Bonsai.
The demonstrators of this year are Taiga Urushibata, Koji Hiramatsu and Mauro Stemberger. Together with Marc Noelanders they will choose the winning trees. Bonsai Empire will film the demo's as well, so stay tuned or follow us on Facebook!
This year's Noelanders Trophy was a great event and the three demonstrations were of outstanding quality. The demonstrators of this year are Taiga Urushibata, Koji Hiramatsu and Mauro Stemberger. We filmed the demonstrations and in this article you will find the three finished movies.
The Artisans Cup took place about four months ago and changed my perception of what a Bonsai event could look like. One key novelty was how transparent the judging was organized; the five judges' critiques for all 71 trees were recorded and are now made available as part of a membership.
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