Memory Lane – Yamadorii Buxus 2007

Posted on June 29, 2015 by admin

Looking back….we can tell a tree’s story…..admire an image…..capture a moment…..remember a special event…..be inspired – to create a memory for tomorrow.

I hope you enjoy this regular peep into some of John’s bonsai history.

Memory Lane – Yamadorii Buxus 2007

We had a batch of these trees, really old and knarled Buxus which I believe were collected from the south of France.

The subject tree started out quite tall but was reduced to help focus more attention on the old hollow section of the lower trunk.

The tree was then wired and styled. It was subsequently repotted into a bonsai pot at the beginning of 2009. Notice how much growth it has put on during the interim period.

I still see this tree from time to time when it’s new owner, one of my students, brings it along to a workshop for it’s routine progress assessment!

Latest News – Autumn Classes released, July availability, Collected Stump prices

Posted on June 28, 2015 by admin

August to December Classes Announced

39 new dates in total hopefully with something for everyone.

Plenty of midweek and open workshops together with specific species classes on Maples, Pines, Junipers, Larch and Taxus.

A bonsai technique class on deadwood/carving…….……..and our very popular Christmas special!

So have a browse under “courses and information” see what you fancy and then contact the nursery to book your place. The popular classes fill up very quickly so don’t take too long……….look forward to seeing you and your trees in the classroom.

Still a few places left in July if you can’t wait for August.

Don’t forget you can now follow us on Facebook.

July Availability

Wed 1st Midweek workshop 1 place

Sat 4th Open workshop 1 place

Sat 11th Pines two 4 places

Wed 15th Midweek workshop Sold out

Sat 18th Satsuki azaleas 2 places

Sun19th Open workshop 2 places

Sat 25th Open workshop 6 places

Sun 26th Pines two 6 places

Wed 29th Midweek workshop 4 places

Collected Stump Prices

The large collected stumps that many of you have seen during recent visits to the nursery will be priced up and offered for sale from Saturday 4th July.

The stumps are sprouting and growing really strongly so we can offer most of them for sale.

Whilst most of them are Privet you will also find Hawthorn, Pyracantha, Prunus, Lonicera, Yew, Spirea, Cotinus and Escallonia.

Studio Stories – Three of my trees in for a trim!

Posted on June 16, 2015 by admin

Sometimes I work on nursery trees, sometimes I work on client’s trees……and sometimes if I’ve been a really good boy I get to work on my own trees. Hopefully these regular visits will give you an insight into what goes on behind closed doors……….

Studio Stories – Three of my trees in for a trim!

At last….. the trees have been able to get growing again with an upturn in the weather.

It doesn’t take long for nature to catch up and suddenly you realise you need to step in.

The trees brought into the studio on this occasion were one of my Privets, a Euonymous, and “Big John” a Trident Maple.

Amazing just how much you take away and yet the trees still retain a full image. It’s always nice to see them growing so strong and healthy.

Topical Times – Beginners Two 14th June 2015

Posted on June 14, 2015 by admin

A regular update on the life and times of John Hanby’s Newstead Bonsai Centre……..

Topical Times – Beginners Two 14th June 2015

……and a great day was had by all! Six really keen enthusiastic students, three excellent experienced helpers and the usual interference from John trying to keep things running smoothly.

Part two of our beginners course throws students in at the deep end. They select a piece of raw material from our stock, expose the roots around the base of the tree then it’s on to the turntable.

Each tree is discussed with John explaining the options available and removing unwanted branches along the way. The somewhat “lighter” tree is taken back to the bench and what remains is wired accordingly with each pair of students having an able assistant.

Any deadwood is created and the wired trees are returned to John for the completion of the first styling process. What a great result from a great group of beginners……I think the pictures speak for themselves even if they don’t do the finished trees justice.

Tried to persuade them that the trees like it here and would be better left with me but every student opted to buy their tree and take it home…..can you believe that!!?…..

……I suppose there’s always the next Beginners course later this year……looking forward to it already and I hope to see you there.

Classroom Corner – Some recent visitors…before and after….

Posted on June 11, 2015 by admin

An open window into the comings and goings of students and their trees attending our regular weekend and midweek bonsai classes under the ever watchful eyes of John Hanby.

Classroom Corner – Some recent visitors…before and after….

Any variety, any age, any style, any size……we get them all turning up on bonsai classes. What do we do with them all???

Each tree is assessed…..it’s health, strength and general well-being….what stage is the tree at……what is our objective and plans for the tree…..what is the next phase to continue towards our goal.

Once all these things have been considered then we can act and carry out the necessary work to help the tree continue with it’s development.

There is always a “mixed bag” of bonsai…..from a Callicarpa shohin project to refining Maples …..from a developing Taxus to a salvaged Boulevard Cypress…..it’s always interesting!

This is the beauty of an open workshop…..you can learn such a lot from all the other trees as well as taking your own tree to it’s next level…..and remember no matter how good the tree is……there is always another level!

Memory Lane – Newstead Bonsai Extravaganza 2010 – Junipers

Posted on June 9, 2015 by admin

Looking back….we can tell a tree’s story…..admire an image…..capture a moment…..remember a special event…..be inspired – to create a memory for tomorrow.

I hope you enjoy this regular peep into some of John’s bonsai history.

Memory Lane – Newstead Bonsai Extravaganza 2010 – Junipers

I suppose junipers are just about my favourite bonsai subject. I have enjoyed working with so many different species of tree and all have responded to give me great pleasure. Junipers just seem to be very forgiving and can be worked on at most times of year. They are probably one of the best for giving you an “instant image” when transforming from raw material and are relatively easy to refine.

It was nice to see a good selection on display at our last Newstead event. Notice how different enthusiasts presented their Juniper and also how they selected a pot and stand.

Deadwood also plays an important part in most of the trees featured with a combination of jins and shari. Can you get some impression of size from the pictures?…… some of these trees are very small indeed!

I have thrown a couple of Chamaecyparis into the mix……can you pick them out………all credit to the owners if you can’t for presenting such a good mature image.

If you made it to the show I hope you enjoy the nostalgia, if your tree is featured then thanks once again for sharing your wonderful bonsai with us.

Studio Stories – Rock planting on a one-to-one

Posted on June 7, 2015 by admin

Studio Stories – Rock planting on a one-to-one

As part of a recent one-to-one session my student asked if we could put together a rock planting. He had already acquired some small Juniper Ittogawa trees and a rock on previous visits to the nursery.

First of all we needed to find something to stabilise the rock and provide a suitable base. The round bonsai dish was ideal and it’s colour would harmonise well with the junipers.

Tie-wires were fastened to the rock using Araldyte. The junipers were pruned and wired. They were then positioned and tied on the rock. Keto was added and then finally the moss.

Some Fuji-sand was placed in the bottom of the pot around the rock. The trees will be allowed to grow and recover. Eventually they will be pruned back and made much more compact in keeping with the size of the rock.

There is also scope for adding ferns and suitable accompanying small plants. A great start….creating something from nothing…..but with potential to become an excellent bonsai rock planting…..”Rock On!!!”

Topical Times – Repotting my big Korean Juniper

Posted on June 4, 2015 by admin

A regular update on the life and times of John Hanby’s Newstead Bonsai Centre……..

Topical Times – Repotting my big Korean Juniper

I recently repotted this big Juniper and what a task it turned out to be. It had been in the pot some 5/6 years and put quite simply it did not want to come out again! The pot had a slight lip to it which really complicated matters.

Originally I had intended wiring and styling the tree over the winter but time and events caught up with me…..change of plan……repot now and then clean/thin out the foliage…. allow time to recover with the current growing season and wire over the next winter months.

“Blood sweat and tears” to get this tree out of the pot was very appropriate in this instance and the scars are still showing.

The tree had not been draining correctly. Inspecting the dense root mass it soon became obvious why. The rootball had to be opened out and dead roots/poor soil removed.

The tree was repotted into a compost mix of Akadama and Bims. As soon as I get time I will thin out the foliage to allow for the seasons new growth and prepare the tree ready for a wiring/styling in the winter months.

Incidentally the pot is a Tokoname pot which was acquired from Japan with another tree. This large well made pot is very attractive when it is cleaned up for show.

It is also signed and apparently this designates “Harumatsu”. Harumatsu is a taken name, a kiln brand, for half of the “Mizuno” family line, of three potters. It would appear I have a pot made by the third generation Harumatsu …..Kazumi Mizuno who is a son of the second Harumatsu, Mizuno Saturo. They worked out of Seto City in Japan……. Isn’t the internet a wonderful thing???

Classroom Corner – Sometimes they let me out for good behaviour!!!

Posted on June 2, 2015 by admin

An open window into the comings and goings of students and their trees attending our regular weekend and midweek bonsai classes under the ever watchful eyes of John Hanby.

Classroom Corner – Sometimes they let me out for good behaviour!!!

Most of my classes take place at the nursery but occasionally I get booked for an “away” fixture. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of spending a day with the Derby Bonsai Club.

During the day I conducted a small workshop and then in the evening I carried out a critique at their normal monthly meeting.

I have been visiting the Derby Club for many years and as usual they gave me a warm welcome with hospitality second to none. They are an enthusiastic group with some very experienced members and some really excellent trees. Like most clubs it’s nice that they also cater for the novice beginner and it’s nice to see some new faces.

There was a good mix of material for the workshop with some trees being for general advice whilst others were for some radical restyling.

These few before and after pictures will give you some idea of how hard the students worked during the day.