In this episode, it's just me-Jeremiah Lee.  I thought i'd take a stab at something a bit differnt and experiment with recording a couple Bonsai journal entries.  I picked a few topics and talked about my thoughts and opinions.   Would love to hear your feedback, please let me know what you think? 

The episode picture was one I took in 2009 with an poor quality camera in the Valley of the Elders. 

Topics Include

Larry White and the Valley of the Elders

Why I named this podcast The Black Pondo Podcast

and a whole lot more. 

In this episode, I spoke with Isaiah Gray of Akagitsune Bonsai who has quickly put together a truly phenomenal collection of North American Native Conifers.  We chatted about the path he's taken up to this point and how he came to put together such an inspiring collection.  We talk about a wide range of topics including the Bonsai Pro's he works with, aesthetic and artistic preferences, garden construction, grafting US Natives, the Bonsai shuffle, Bonsai nutritient, Sap analysis and many more fun topics. 

You can find Isaiah on Instagram @AkagitsuneBonsai

The hydraulic table cart discussed actually goes up to 1,500 pounds and is called the Vestil PN-1500.  The company referenced for Sap Analysis and testing is Apical Crop Science which can be found at https://apical-ag-home.com   

Episode picture is Isaiah Gray next to a Sierra Juniper Bonsai.  

In this episode I got to sit down with and Interview my Bonsai teacher Peter Tea.  Peter studied with Boon Manakativipart, before leaving for a full time apprenticship at Aichi-En Bonsai Nursery in Nagoya Prefecture Japan.  Peter returned to the States after completing his apprentiship in 2013 and is now a full time Bonsai Professional operating his buisness in Northern Calfornia.  Peter is an extremely high-level Bonsai professional and his time is highly sought after by many American bonsai enthusiasts.  It was an honor to have him on the podcast, to hear his thoughts and learn more about his work.   

You can learn more about Peter Tea at www.PTbonsai.com or on Instagram at PeterTeaBonsai.      

In Episode 13 I got to talk with Dan Wiederrecht and Steve Varland  from Backcountry Bonsai a couple considered amongst the best Yamadori collectors in the US. I had the honor of picking their brains and asking questions I got from the Bonsai nut form and Instagram.  I had a great time hearing about some of their collecting adventures and discuss collecting yamadori in the US.   

www.backcountrybonsai.com

In this episode I had the privlege of chatting with Matt Ouwinga of Kaede Bonsai.  Matt told me the story of following his passion for Bonsai and transitioning from working as a full time school teacher to running a very succesfull business, becoming the largest supplier of high quality Bonsai pots imported from Japan into the US.  He dropped several knowledge gems on me about Japanese and Chinese antique pots.  We talked about differnt Bonsai pot time periods, the Tokoname region of Japan, Japanese Bonsai pot auctions, the GOAT of Japanese Bonsai containers and several other fun topics. 

You can find out more about Matt at

Website: Kaedebonsai-en.com

Instagram: @matthew_ouwinga    

Ebay Store: https://ebay.com/usr/kaedebonsai-en

In part 2 episode 11 we catch up with the original Heartthrob-Seth Nelson, as he talks to us from the Tea Room at AichiEn Bonsai Nursery.  Originally from Florida, Seth has now been a Deshi for 4 yrs.  AichiEn was established in 1896 and has been passed down many generations of Tanakas. It is located in the Nagoya Prefecture of Japan, and currently owned by Mr. Junichiro Tanaka who is an incredibly skilled and talented Bonsai professional.  

Links:

Seth's Instagram: seth.nelson.bonsai

Seth's Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/sethnelsonbonsai

Aichien: https://bonsaiaichien.com/

In part 1 episode 10 we catch up with the original Heartthrob-Seth Nelson, as he talks to us from the Tea Room at AichiEn Bonsai Nursery.  Originally from Florida, Seth has now been a Deshi for 4 yrs.  AichiEn was established in 1896 and has been passed down many generations of Tanakas. It is located in the Nagoya Prefecture of Japan, and currently owned by Mr. Junichiro Tanaka who is an incredibly skilled and talented Bonsai professional.  

Links:

Seth's Instagram: seth.nelson.bonsai

Seth's Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/sethnelsonbonsai

Aichien: https://bonsaiaichien.com/

In part 2 of this episode, Jeremiah Lee and Julian Tsai talk about quality bonsai on a budget.  They discuss their experiences starting out in Bonsai and attempt to prioritize where beginners might want to invest and other areas which might not be so important.  Part 1 is primarily focused on spending money on Bonsai Trees and Education. While Part 2 dives into Bonsai Tools, Soil, Fertilizer and Containers.

In part 1 of this episode, Jeremiah Lee and Julian Tsai talk about quality bonsai on a budget.  They discuss their experiences starting out in Bonsai and attempt to prioritize where beginners might want to invest and other areas which might not be so important.  Part 1 is primarily focused on spending money on Bonsai Trees and Education. While Part 2 dives into Bonsai Tools, Soil, Fertilizer and Containers.     

In this episode I got the opportunity to catch up with Andrew Robson of Rakuyo Bonsai.  I got to find out what he's been up to lately and ask questions about the world of deciduous Bonsai.  Andrew is a deciduious Bonsai specialist who more recently won the Best Deciduous Award at the Pacific Bonsai Expo in late 2022.  He is a full time professional with his Bonsai studio and home in the Portland OR area.