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 Tale of Two Maples
This gets a bit long, if you are in a hurry you can skip the preamble.... Preamble. For decades now I have been telling folk they need to learn to read their trees. A great deal of the problems folk experience with cultivating bonsai are related to erroneous half truths they have read or picked up from well meaning but inexperienced individuals. Many of those ideas may be sound in themselves but knowing when to apply them is the issue. The internet has made this situation pretty much critical but many books and some magazines are just as culpable. Added to the fact many of us today are...
The Trees Apprentice
It’s been a long time since I passed a significant watershed in my bonsai journey. I have now been studying and practising bonsai for more of my life than not. That might not be significant for some who started young but I was not a spotty kid. Years ago somebody came and asked me how long I had been doing bonsai, about fifteen years was my reply. He then asked if he could expect to be as good as me (that’s a matter of opinion of course) once he reached that particular milestone. My reply was almost certainly not. I don’t think my answer was the anticipated one. As my last boss always said...
Top Posts
Recent Posts
Good News! Masakuni is Risen.
It's very refreshing to have some good news, there is more and more of it about if you look in the right places. Today I am pleased to say that Masakuni Bonsai tools are back in stock. Since the dark clouds of gloom gathered over the crash induced by greedy bastard...
Ho, Ho, Humbug!
I have no idea why but I seem to have gained a reputation for being a grumpy old git. I am sure the irony of this statement will not be lost on those that know me or have been on the receiving end of an unfeeling email. I have a penchant for the truth, what you see is...
Shipping Dates For Christmas
As we approach silly season everyone seems to have a heightened sense of urgency. Here at KB we have already noticed the stress building. This time of year we get lots of frantic phone calls, folk with high pitched voices talking really fast making sure no stone is...
A Couple of Great New Tools Coming Soon
Just had a delivery of these two great tools. They will be live on the site this week. G. Condor Fidelis Neck Knife - High Carbon Steel As it's name implies a neck knife is a small knife that you can hang around your neck on a chain (supplied). It hangs down...
New Bonsai & Yamadori Stock Just Arrived
Trees may be going dormant but here at Kaizen Bonsai we never sleep. It's before first light Sunday morning and having done me emails this morning (about an hour) here I am messing with a blog post. They say 'the early bird gets the worm' but I hate worms, leave that...
Important Bonsai Care Information for Autumn
Here in the U.K autumn is rapidly giving way to winter and it's now time to complete some very important work to ensure your bonsai have a good dormant season. Neglect this work at your peril. When keeping bonsai it is important to follow good nursery practice. It's...