Monterey Cypress Progression: From Seed to Show in 9 Years
Follow the journey of one Monterey Cypress from seed to show-ready bonsai tree. Grown from a seed (from a tree in the Presidio of San Francisco) in 2007, this tree grew quickly,...
When is Less, More?
Eric uses a little pine as a case study to address his internal debate between "bonsai by subtraction" and growing trees into bonsai via seeds and cuttings. There is a school of...
OUR MISSION
Bonsai for You
Our mission is to educate and facilitate enjoyment of bonsai as a hobby sustainably, with a carbon neutral impact to the planet. We are committed to producing modern mini-bonsai that anyone can easily care for and enjoy
Understanding Proportion for Bonsai Development
Proper proportion can make the difference between an exceptional bonsai tree and one that is merely mediocre. Bonsai is more than the idea of creating a perfect miniature tree; ...
Creating a Slanted Black Pine Bonsai from Seed
Eric steps through the process of making a slant style Japanese Black Pine bonsai tree that is roughly 20″ tall, starting from seeds and growing and styling the tree from scratc...
Why Your Bonsai Needs Fertilizer
Why do bonsai trees need fertilizer? When should I fertilize my bonsai tree? What is the best fertilizer for bonsai? Bonsai trees are grown in small containers, not in the groun...
Branch Flattening for Light Optimization and Taper Control in Juniper Stock
Refinement and stock growing are often two entirely separate parts of the bonsai process. When working on young plants I aim to create the best tree possible in the shortest pos...
Three ways you can tell if your bonsai is healthy
How can you tell if your bonsai tree is healthy? Follow these 3 guidelines to learn what to look for to tell the current health of your tree. As you gain experience with bonsai ...
Developing Chinese Elm Mame: Mini-Bonsai Manipulation
Eric Schrader shares his work on four Chinese Elm mini-bonsai trees, known as mame. This includes pruning, removing stubs, thinning shoots, and wiring. Most Mame Bonsai are arou...