Author Archives: tony bonsaiko

Just sharing photos of Spiral Orchid – Spiranthes Sinensis before the flower is gone.  Planted it in this pot early spring, now in full bloom.

Blogging is fairly new to me, I been at it for only about a year now.  It’s definitely a learning experience, it does take time, but it’s been fun .  I started it with the idea that I can write about the trees I’m working on  , mainly for a selfish reason to help me sort through my thoughtsContinue reading “Thuja-madori”

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning, the sun is just rising up, birds are singing, it’s going to be a great day.  Although it’s Sunday, I have a full day ahead but I feel the need to slow down and think.  This blog has given me an outlet to do some of that.  I really feel blessedContinue reading “5 Life Lessons from Bonsai”

Made a 200 mile trip to Portland  Japanese Garden to see Ryan Neil’s bonsai display at the last day of the exhibit.  We made it a family trip after enticing my teenage daughter and wife of the tax-free shopping they could do while we’re in Portland.   We stayed overnight at a hotel so we are notContinue reading “Ryan Neil’s Bonsai”

Bought this mountain hemlock a year ago from a collector in the Pacific Northwest.  It’s got a long skinny trunk ad at the very top is big bend then the foliage.  It calls for a literati style bonsai.  After studying it, I sketched my future vision for it.   I plan to do the first styling  thisContinue reading “Mountain Hemlock Vision”

Last weekend, I loaded up my car with a few bonsai, took a half hour ferry ride to Vashion Island, and among five other bonsai folks worked on my trees under Michael Hagedorn’s guidance.   Also, got to see some field grown black pines and junipers that John Muth  of Bonsai NW have been growing.    ItContinue reading “Study Group with Michael Hagedorn”

About 2 weeks ago the Puget Sound Bonsai Association put together their Spring Bonsai Show.  As a club member, obviously I was excited and this year decided to show a couple of my trees.  In my mind, I’ve always thought, out the 70 plus trees I have, I should be able to pull a coupleContinue reading “Why Bonsai shows can be good for Bonsai”

I’m not a poet or a writer but here’s my attempt at one. “color burst everywhere                            my soul delighted                at the sight of spring”

Today is April fools.  I thought it will be a got Segway to this post.  I have not seen very many arborvitae being used for bonsai and now I’m thinking, I maybe one of those fools.  Oh well. In the winter of 2014-2015, I collected this large Arborvitae landscape tree and posted it here   Envisioning-the-Future. Continue reading “A Fool’s Dream -Year 2 of the Arborvitae”