The Kaizen Bonsai Blog by Graham Potter
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2020 It Was The Best Of Times…
2020 is a year that will live long in our memories. Not least for us here at KB. If I go into too much detail I will just be adding to the cacophony of noise in the world. I have come to the conclusion that nobody cares what I think, only me. It’s a frustrating world to live in for those with common sense and a vision that allows them to see through the bullshit. Maybe that just makes me another opinionated asshole, you decide. Sadly because I have a need to put food on the table and support my family I am forced to have to get involved. However it’s good for everyone if I just mind my own...
Life Can Hit Us All Pretty Hard Sometimes
Bonsai is not easy! For many just keeping a little tree alive seems to be impossibly hard. It might be because they are over-complicating things, who am I to say. I am of an age where I likely have a longer past than future. I have been involved in bonsai for more years than not, thirty odd as I recall. There are two very important things you will need in order to succeed in bonsai. Patience being the primary one. Trees move at a pace inconsistent with the 'modern' world. The other is perspective. I remember telling somebody that he needed to prune new shoots back to a couple of leaves. His...
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The Golden Rule
Graham Potter’s Guide to Bonsai Watering It's been said many times that I have the best job in the world but I am a 'glass half empty' kind of bloke and find it hard to get too excited about what I do. I typically spend 7 hours a day in front to a screen, a business...
Bonsai Styling Demo’
Thought you might like to see the progression of this oak tree. Collected 3 years ago and arrived here in March (first photo). Did the first styling at a recent demo'. This variety (quercus faginea) develops quickly and grows fast. It's early days for this tree as...
Demo’ Dates Coming Up
Persuading me to leave home isn't easy these days. I like it here and have everything I need. Just the thought of getting on a congested motorway brings me out all maudlin. However a couple of folk have been quite persuasive and there are a couple of trips coming up....
A Big Day
Once you get to my age there are too many days gone by to remember even a small fraction of them. Even the years tend to get lost. However there are always going to be a few that are particularly significant. I suppose they are what we call 'red letter days'. I don't...
English Elms Arrived
Bonsai seems to be influenced by fashion both in terms of style and regards to species that are in demand. However one thing I have noticed is that British native trees remain high on everyone's shopping list. Our best sellers are always hawthorn, blackthorn, scots...
New Delivery
Just for the record olives have to be one of my favourite trees used for bonsai. That's not because I have some soppy romantic notion of warm scented groves enjoyed on balmy evenings on holiday. I don't get to have holidays. I like olives because they are tough and...