Sep 25 2022

Bonsai Intermediate Course 2 from Bonsai Empire

Bonsai Intermediate Course 2 From Bonsai Empire
With Bjorn Bjorholm and Michael Hagedorn

In the course Bjorn Bjorholm and Michael Hagedorn cover extensively the topic of Pruning – breaking it down by tree species as well as by the developmental stages of the tree. They also show how to create a root over rock Bonsai, and investigate various Fruiting and flowering tree species.

I particularly liked the pruning and growth of deciduous trees, Bjorn explains in detail how to development young material from the early stages all the way to refining your tree. Bjorn prunes a Maple bonsai and explains all the steps he takes in setting this tree up for the coming year. For example, he strengthens the lower branches by pruning those less than the tree’s apical growth, all shown in detail in the tutorials.

In describing a large imported Korean Hornbeam Bjorn notes that the original styling is more akin to a pine, and if he was working this tree from an early stage in its development he would have implemented the techniques described in the tutorials. This is why its important to apply good techniques at an early stage, students will learn these from the course.

Included in the course are some interesting tutorials on the Bunjin style (Literati) Michael Hagedorn excels in this difficult to execute style.

It’s a total of six hours and Students get lifetime access to all materials and can ask questions to the teachers.

You can access the course here: https://www.bonsaiempire.com/courses/intermediate-course-2

Oct 13 2021

Amazing Japanese Garden at Cowden in Scotland

Last weekend I visited The Japanese Garden at Cowden in Scotland it was created in 1908 and closed to the public in 1955. Aside from being beautiful and peaceful, the garden is the only one of its type in the world to have been designed by a Japanese woman, Taki Handa.

Sadly vandalised in the 1960’s, the garden is being brought back to life by a team of experts including the renowned Japanese architect and garden designer Professor Masao Fukuhara.  The Professor is best known for winning the Gold Medal at Chelsea Flower Show as well as the restoration of The Japanese Gardens at Kew, London and Tatton Park, Cheshire.

The Japanese Garden at Cowden has undergone three years of intensive restoration. Although there are areas still to be restored there is more than enough for visitors to enjoy. Described in 1925 by Professor Jijo Suzuki as ‘the most important Japanese garden in the Western World’, the garden consists of several acres of Japanese influenced landscape with a perimeter path around the small loch. There is an additional twenty acres of woodland walks to enjoy.