Bonsai Wire

Andrew chats with Jonas about building his bonsai garden, Rakuyo. Named for falling leaves or deciduous trees, Rakuyo will be a site for the development of and appreciation for deciduous bonsai.

Andrew interviews Eric and Jonas about their plans to host a regional  bonsai exhibit, the Pacific Bonsai Expo, in fall of 2022.

This week the team talks about all things repotting - soil media, timing, clues telling us when to repot, and aftercare.

Opening our series about women curators of public bonsai gardens, Michael and Jonas chat with Carmen Leskoviansky about the Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Michigan, upcoming apprenticeship with Michael, and her desire to open the bonsai door wider to women. 

Apprentice life has its ups and downs. Kaya Mooney, an apprentice with Keiichi Fujikawa at Kouka-en near Osaka, Japan, shares highlights with John and Jonas and explains what can make the sky purple for apprentices. Learn more about Kaya at https://www.instagram.com/moonlightbonsai

This week Jonas sits down to chat with John about his apprenticeship with Michael at Crataegus Bonsai.  Check out Crataegus at https://crataegus.com/.

This week Michael sits down with Jonas to discuss everything that goes into writing and publishing a bonsai book aimed at helping people start off on the right foot. 2D vs. 3D teaching, tips for bonsai photography, and long lines at Kokufu make appearances along the way.

This week Jonas sits down with Michael to discuss the science, tradition, and fantasy that inform his new book, Bonsai Heresy. It is a deep dive into the thought process, anguish, and joy of writing a book that undoes bonsai myths.

You can purchase Bonsai Heresy at:  https://stonelantern.com/

Ever wonder what it's like to be a bonsai apprentice in Japan? This week Jonas speaks with Adam Toth, an apprentice with Taiga Urushibata at the Taisho-en bonsai garden in Shizuoka to learn about the experience. Join Adam as he shares anecdotes that convey the joys and challenges of apprentice life.
Learn more about Adam at: https://www.instagram.com/adam.jp.bon

In this episode Jonas and John catch up with Eric Schrader and talk about growing trees, working with local natives and much more.