My Bonsai Year of 2016 in Pictures

Here we are again at the end of another  year and its time for me to review my bonsai journey over the past 12 months by means of a selection of my favourite photographs taken throughout the year.

The Ayr Winter Image Show in early January is the first gathering of the season for the Scottish bonsai community. Last year I took my Juniper Squamata along.

In February, I took the opportunity to photograph all of my best shohin trees in groups of deciduous and evergreen. Incidentally, the deciduous group received more Facebook likes than any photograph I’ve posted before or since.

At Last the Spring returned, my favourite time of the year. I have chosen the next picture to illustrate this, even though I normally cringe, when I see a picture of myself. This one isn’t too bad and it shows me doing what I love most in the place I most like to do it.

More new Spring growth

Japanese Larch

Hawthorn

Hawthorn

Prunus Kojo no Mai

In May we had the Scottish National Show, where 2 of my shohin trees received 1st and 2nd prize

My winning tree, Pinus Parviflora

An overview of our club display

2 of my favourite Larch compositions from the Ayr Club Display

In September Gerry and I went over to Northern Ireland to see the 30th anniversary show of the Northern Ireland Bonsai Society. I loved this show. It was inspiring to see so many native species that had been in cultivation as bonsai for many years

European Beech

Lonicera Nitida shohin

Large Witch Hazel

A gathering of friends

 

Summer and Autumn Colour

Once again, I would like to thank all of the people, who visit my blog and follow my journey, It’s you who make all the effort of doing it worthwhile.

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Some Pots by Walsall Ceramics

At this time of year, I’m thinking about and trying to acquire the pots I will need when the re-potting season begins in the Spring. I have a number of larch trees in development that will need to be re-potted as soon as the season will permit. When I think about larch bonsai, I think about Walsall Ceramic pots. The shapes and earth tone glazes of their pots, complement this species perfectly.

Here are some I’ve acquired recently.

And here are some of the trees that will be going into them

This tree was planted in a similar Walsall pot, 3 years ago

Blaauws Juniper 2016 Update

I de-wired and pruned my big Blaauws Juniper at the weekend in preparation for another fine wiring to open up the foliage pads. I hope to complete this work over the festive period but things sometimes take longer than expected at this time of year with the short daylight hours and the preparations for Christmas and the New Year.

This is how it looks this morning with no wire on.

This tree has come a long way in recent years and is almost at the stage where I might consider it finished, for the moment.

Here is a reminder of its’ progress

2014, after the second wiring

2013, first styling for the current look

2012, a different look

Early 2012, my first attempt at styling this tree

2011, the raw material

 

 

Callicarpa Japonica 2016 Update

I have had this old Beautyberry for about 3 years now, it has been slow in producing the beautiful purple fruits that it is famous for but each year the show gets a little better. This is how it looks at the moment.

It required a little help this year to drop its leaves. This is how it looked earlier this morning. It will be pruned and re-wired in early Spring.