Blog

Bonsai and penjing masters like Saburo Kato and John Naka are recognized as icons who really advanced and expanded the ancient art of bonsai. Now, the next generation of artists is building on those legacies, putting down roots for many more decades of bonsai artistry. In The Future of Bonsai blog series, the National Bonsai Foundation is highlighting up-and-coming bonsai and penjing pioneers who are next in line to spread the spirit of bonsai. Chicago native and bonsai professional Jennifer Price is one such artist. Get to know her…

by Alan Magruder  Many of the show tables that we can buy are generic, not built for any particular tree and pot. Frequentlythese show tables are well built and attractive. They, however, do not necessarily fit the tree and pot.Many of them are too short or the pot is crowding the top of the stand or is lost in it. Click here to view entire article - close window after reading to return

by Alan Magruder If you have found a wonderful show table that is absolutely beautiful, be careful. It could easily becomethe center of your display and overshadow your bonsai. This is not an uncommon mistake. Anything thattakes attention away from the Bonsai tree is not good in a Bonsai show. The purpose of a show table is tomake the tree look good. Click her to view the article in its entirety - close window to return

Japanese Flowering Apricot  ( Prunus Mume ) The Japanese Flowering Apricot ( Prunus Mume ) dates back centuries into the Ming Dynasty. It is said to have originated around the Yangtze River in China and Korea, but for generations has been extensively cultivated in Japan. This distinct species is related to both the plum and the apricot. There are over 300 recorded Cultivars of Prunus Mume. It is known as one of the  "Three Friends of  Winter," along with the Pine and Bamboo. Because of its late winter blossoming,…

I have had this Ficus for some time. Recently a key branch died. I have decided to replace it with a length of another branch using a process known as thread grafting. I will thread the donor branch though a hole in the truck and as the branch grows its cambium will grow into and fuse with the cambium of the trunk. Here are pictures showing where the dead branch had been and the proposed new branch.  Note the large space between the branches on the left side of…

Anthony "Tony" W. Welninski, age 77, at rest on July 13, 2021. Tony was a police officer with the Chicago Police Dept. for 42 years. Beloved husband of Phyllis (nee Fetro) for 57 years. Loving father of Kristine Torres, Scott (Christine) Welninski and Danata (Richard) Kubitz. Cherished grandfather of Justin "J-cat". Dear brother of Walter (Dolores) Welninski and Patricia (Don) Spencer. Fond uncle cousin and friend to many.Tony was also a fixture in the bonsai community. He was active in both the Prairie State Bonsai Society and the Midwest…

Summertime is here and our trees get to grow, we get to style them and maintain them. Summertime however does have a downside, insects, and fungus. The first thing you want to do if you think a tree has a problem is move it away from your other trees. Then treat the problem. Insect issues can be treated with Insecticidal soap, you can also make your own. Neem oil and Pyrethrin are two other options that are natural and not chemical products. When treating insects several applications will be…

President’s Message for July 2021 Things are starting to happen! We will have a picnic this year. It will be on Sunday, August 1st, from 8 AM to 5 PM at Cantigny Park. Details will follow. We need, firstly, for members to come to the picnic. Secondly, we will need for at least a few members to volunteer to help out. We will send out a sign up email in a week or so. Further details will ensue. The board is now looking for places to hold actual, physical,…

DISPLAY OF A BONSAI TREE Alan Magruder If you have found a wonderful show table that is absolutely beautiful, be careful. It could easily become the center of your display and overshadow your bonsai. This is not an uncommon mistake. Anything that takes attention away from the Bonsai tree is not good in a Bonsai show. The purpose of a show table is to make the tree look good. 1. Height The observer should be looking directly into the tree, not down on it or up into it. This…

Indoor: If at all possible these trees will benefit greatly from a summer in the outdoors. Ideally, they should have all been move out by now but there is still time if you have not already moved them out. Water as needed. Watering will depend on the weather, the location of the trees (sunny or shady), the soil, the pot size, and other factors. In many cases, however, daily watering will be needed. Always check the moisture content of the soil before watering. Fertilization should continue. Check wires for tightness. Repotting may be done at…