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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 – 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!!!”
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???
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.