AllShapes Bonsai Blog

Here are some before and after pictures of the Nursery during recent snow storm which came up the east coast  during the week of December 22. After the event was over a total of 12 inches of snow fell laying down a clean powdery finish to the landscape. I lived in this area all my life and from my past I can always remember having snow on the ground by the first or second week in December.   I’m not saying  a lot of snow, just snow. During the last 30 years the snow  we once had in December now appear to come in January. Really a nice surprise this time.

We’re very excited to announce a new version of the AllShapes Bonsai website.  This marks version 3 over the years and we keep adding new features as we go.  We’ll also be starting up with the newsletter again soon so be sure to subscribe if you haven’t already (we do not spam but anyone who wishes to unsubscribe can do so anytime by sending an email).  So what’s next for the site?  We’re currently working on an ecommerce feature that we hope to release in the next few weeks so stay tuned!  In the meantime please report any bugs you find with the site or just let us know what you think.

It’s always fun to have people work on their own trees.  We had a good mix for this workshop, some nearly finished bonsai, some pre-bonsai, some collected native plants to New Jersey.  (more…)

Some of the fall colors around the nursery, both in tropical trees and deciduous, bonsai and pre-bonsai. (more…)

Hinoki Cypress are native to Japan where it is grown and used for timber, lemon-scented and highly rot-resistant.  The tree naturally grows very slowly and forms forests, much like the eastern-red-cedar of New Jersey.  Hinoki Cypress are commonly used as an ornamental landscape shrub, known for its plumes of cloud-like foliage.  Unfortunately, it’s also a favorite to the deer!

Pictures from the event can be seen below. (more…)

For those who are not familiar with the species, Serissa is native to open sub-tropical woodlands and wet meadows in southeast Asia, from India, and China to Japan, making it a perfect candidate to be grown indoors as a tropical bonsai.  It has very small leaves and a rough texture to the bark (reminiscent of an old oak tree in nature) making it perfect for bonsai culture.  Its flowers are small (in scale with the rest of the tree) and can be white, pink, and/or double blossoms depending on the variety.  Its leaves can be solid green or variegated depending on the variety as well.  It can be fussy on its conditions and will let you know by dropping leaves, but will spring back readily when you improve the conditions.  It should be kept in bright indirect light and consistently moist.

Here are pictures from the “Making a Tropical Bonsai” class.  Thanks to the ladies who attended, we had a wonderful time.  The pre-bonsai stock was really exceptional for this one, with good-sized trunks and natural branching. (more…)

Wednesday night is predicted to be cold, in the upper 30’s.  At this time forecasters aren’t predicting  frost but  you may want to take the time now to get tender bonsai and trees inside or under cover before it’s too late.

If you haven’t done so already, start planning where your trees will spend the winter months.  As a rule, tropicals should be inside a warm house by the end of September and, I always though you should know where your hardy trees will spend the winter by Thanksgiving.

Time: 9:30am – 1:00pm

Our last workshop of the season although, is also in perfect time for the gift giving holidays. The class is designed for the beginner or amateur wishing to get involved, or stay involved in bonsai, and a perfect opportunity for creating a bonsai for a special individual interested in having a tree. Get hands on experience in making your own bonsai from start to finish that when complete you can take home (or store at the nursery till December).

The plant material we have chosen to use is called “Buxus midget” Boxwood Ver. Boxwood’s are slow growing plants with white grainy trunk and branches supporting dark green miniature leaves lending themselves as a good bonsai subject. Receive expert advice and guidance within a group setting as you learn what’s involved in making bonsai while perhaps gifting it to a friend interested in bonsai.

Whether you are new to bonsai or simply looking for reinforcement of your
current skills, this is a chance to help build your confidence.

Here is what you can expect.

• Help in choosing your subject plant
• Balance and Form
• Pruning or Styling Techniques
• Wiring
• Root Pruning
• Pottery Selecting
• Care and maintenance

Cost $ 90.00 (plus tax) includes all materials and use of tools

You must register before attending classes and all classes are limited due to seating, space and plant material on hand.

Time: 9:30am – 1:00pm

Here is a workshop allowing you to bring-in and work on your own trees or bonsai potentials in need of attention before winter. Weather in need of help or routine maintenance and repotting, its important bonsai receive proper care tomaintain good health and vigor. Get expert advice in repotting, pruning, wiring and shaping your bonsai inside a small group setting.

Cost-$55.00 (plus tax)

Includes one gallon of soil, wire and use of tools PLUS students receive 20% off pottery purchases