The Kaizen Bonsai Blog by Graham Potter
Whether you are looking to master the basics of tree health or perform advanced structural styling, use the sections below to navigate our decades of experience in the art of bonsai.
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Bonsai Tree Care
The foundation
Bonsai Tree Creation
Bonsai Restoration
Bonsai Technique
Video Masterclasses
Graham's Bonsai Trees
The Cost of a Good Bonsai Soil Mix
We all like a little grumble. British are particularly renowned for our grumbling prowess. Mention the weather and see where that goes. The cost of a good bonsai soil mix? We all like to grumble about the price of things too. " I remember when ....." that sort of thing. I have a lovely old mate who pointed out a fairly average bonsai tree for sale on our bench cost more than his first house. On investigation that was about 65 years prior to our discussion. It's all relative though. My dad likes to point out his first house cost him what is now the price of a special pair of handmade shoes...
Missing The Point – Re-potting Bonsai
When you make that first fateful move and obtain a ‘Bonsai tree’ you take the first step on a journey that just might last the rest of your life. It matters little that your first plant is most likely not bonsai at all. Mine was a sycamore seedling I lifted out of leaf litter in the woods on a dog walk and planted in a plastic plant pot. It could be a cheap poor quality ‘bonsai’ you buy in a garden centre, something you are given as a gift or inherit. The quality is perceived and matters little in our ignorant state of the time. To be clear I did not know what a bonsai tree even was (it's a...
Top Posts
Recent Posts
Knotty Pine Revisited
I love a bit of knotty pine. This week I had a crack (not literally) at this one. Those of you with eagle eyes may remember this tree from Bonsai World 2013 where Suthin Sukosolvisit wrestled it into a pleasing shape for the first time. Unfortunately I do not have any...
Cheapest Bonsai on the Nursery
The stat's for this blog show I get around 350-450 views a day. Not bad since less than a year ago I was at half that. Thanks to everyone for your support, it's very encouraging. While browsing my stats I noticed a massive peak in interest a while back when my visitor...
Bonsai in Your Lunch Break.
Yesterday I found myself with an hour to spare. I don't know who came up with the idea of wiring a tree but it works for me 🙂 G.
Rammon’s Been Busy
Rammon spends most of his time packing your orders. However when it's quiet I let him loose in the garden. Here's his latest creation. Pretty good from something SOOOO ugly. Rammon is available for public demonstrations etc'. Just drop us a line. G.
Bonsai from a Stump.
Sometimes I get a little frustrated because we have a lot of raw material laying about on our nursery and no time to work it. It's a sad fact that in general bonsai folk don't buy raw material and prefer styled or part worked trees. Good for us because part worked...
Bonsai Group Enfield Autumn Show 2014
Just back from The Capel Manor Autumn Bonsai Show organised by the Bonsai Group Enfield. This show has been running for a while now and I have to say it's getting better and better. We had a great day and the event seemed to be very well attended. I spent the entire...