Catalpa Bonsai Early Updates - Seedling and Yamadori Examples

Source material: June 2025

            The catalpa says good morning! If you see any trees in the southern or eastern US this time of year (late spring) with large white and purple flowers followed by string bean-looking seed pods, you've found a native catalpa! Below I share some additional notes on working with this species for bonsai which I have started to learn over the past few years.

Sections:

1. Notes on Catalpa Seeds and Seedlings
2. Notes on Catalpa Yamadori and Wild Digging

In Vivo Bonsai Announcements/Upcoming Events in Columbus

• June 18, 6-9pm. Clip and Grow Styling for Succulent Bonsai - Lecture and Workshop with Central Ohio Cactus and Succulent Society.
• This is my next lecture/workshop here in Columbus. Since the Central Ohio Cactus and Succulent Society are already knowledgeable on succulent growing, for this educational day I will focus first on discussing styling via clip and grow. I will share some examples from Brucera (Frankincense), Jade, Dwarf Jade, and others so you can see the technique in action over time. Then you will get the opportunity to plant and style your own succulent bonsai. Species available include jade, gollum jade, dwarf jade, and others. Facebook event is here.
• July 3, 6-9pm. I will be presenting/demonstrating for the Akron-Canton Bonsai Society on the topic of deadwood! Bring a tree that you could use some advice on improving its deadwood if you happen to be in the Cleveland, Ohio area. I will have several stylistic examples of deadwood and potentially some manual carving tools available. Full info will be posted here.
• July 19-20. Columbus Bonsai Society Annual Show!
• Details coming soon but there will be vendors, workshops, and great trees! Facebook event here.

A catalpa flower. After a late spring rain, the flowers can often be found on the ground.

From Trash to Treasure: Origin of the Waterfront Botanical Garden - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep46 Part1

In Vivo Bonsai Announcements/Upcoming Events in Columbus

• I have a number of consignment trees and pots for sale. These are from CBS members who moved away including my friend Kevin from the Bonsai Time Podcast. Trees up to moderate size I now ship within the USA with some potential limitations by state laws. Contact me for a shipping estimate or to arrange a visit in person in Columbus or for drop off at or on the way to a local bonsai show I will be attending (DC, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Cinncinatti).
• June 18, 6-9pm. Clip and Grow Styling for Succulent Bonsai - Lecture and Workshop with Central Ohio Cactus and Succulent Society.
• This is my next lecture/workshop here in Columbus. Since the Central Ohio Cactus and Succulent Society are already knowledgeable on succulent growing, for this educational day I will focus first on discussing styling via clip and grow. I will share some examples from Brucera (Frankincense), Jade, Dwarf Jade, and others so you can see the technique in action over time. Then you will get the opportunity to plant and style your own succulent bonsai. Species available include jade, gollum jade, dwarf jade, and others. Facebook event is here. Sign-up info coming soon.
• July 19-20. Columbus Bonsai Society Annual Show!
• Details coming soon but there will be vendors, workshops, and great trees! Facebook event here.

I. Episode Summary & Links

            In this episode, Kevin, Kelly, and Ryan sat down with Megan Bibelhauser of the Waterfront Botanical Garden and Russel Stevens of Twisted Nature Bonsai in Louisville, Kentucky. Among other things, in Part 1 we discussed how the Waterfront Botanical Garden was founded only 5 years ago and their major events. Then in Part 2, we focused on their new bonsai training program, bonsai collection, and Japanese garden that is under construction.

The YouTube version of Episode 46 is here!

The podcast version of Episode 46 is here!⁠

The YouTube version of Episode 47 (Part 2) is here!

The podcast version of Episode 47 (Part 2) is here!⁠

⁠⁠⁠

Guest Info:

Megan Bibelhauser can be found at the ⁠⁠Waterfront Botanical Gardens⁠⁠ in Louisville, KY, USA.

Russel Stevens can be found at⁠⁠ Twisted Nature Bonsai⁠⁠ and at the ⁠⁠Greater Louisville Bonsai Society⁠⁠.

Sponsor Info:

This episode is sponsored by the Waterfront Botanical Gardens 3rd Annual Bonsai Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. Details at BonsaiWeekend.com. Come visit Kentucky's newest botanic garden and see what's growing with the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society. The show will feature guest judge Owen Reich, bonsai workshops, demonstrations, cultural activities, food and drink, koi fish on display from the Louisville Koi Society, and an expanded selection of vendors for all your bonsai needs. I'll be there too, and I hope to see you there May 30th-June 1st. Tickets are on sale now at ⁠BonsaiWeekend.com⁠.

Support the Pod:

            Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

See the relevant images and links from this episode below.

The Bonsai That Survived Hiroshima — and What It Teaches Us, Bonsai Time Podcast Ep 45

In Vivo Bonsai Announcements/Upcoming Events in Columbus

• I have a number of consignment trees and pots for sale. These are from CBS members who moved away including my friend Kevin from the Bonsai Time Podcast. Trees up to moderate size I now ship within the USA with some potential limitations by state laws. Contact me for a shipping estimate or to arrange a visit in person in Columbus or for drop off at or on the way to a local bonsai show I will be attending (DC, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Cinncinatti).
• June 18, 6-9pm. Clip and Grow Styling for Succulent Bonsai - Lecture and Workshop with Central Ohio Cactus and Succulent Society.
• This is my next lecture/workshop here in Columbus. Since the Central Ohio Cactus and Succulent Society are already knowledgeable on succulent growing, for this educational day I will focus first on discussing styling via clip and grow. I will share some examples from Brucera (Frankincense), Jade, Dwarf Jade, and others so you can see the technique in action over time. Then you will get the opportunity to plant and style your own succulent bonsai. Species available include jade, gollum jade, dwarf jade, and others. Facebook event is here. Sign-up info coming soon.
• July 19-20. Columbus Bonsai Society Annual Show!
• Details coming soon but there will be vendors, workshops, and great trees! Facebook event here.

I. Episode Summary & Links

In this episode, Kevin, Kelly, and Ryan discuss how we can better preserve history through our bonsai and elevate them into an ambassador role between cultures and places. Kevin was specifically thinking about the famous Yamaki White Pine Bonsai that survived an atomic bomb and was later gifted by Japan to the US National Bonsai Museum. This tree has a powerful presence for all those who visit it. Likewise, Kevin compared it to his recent visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in Japan and the powerful impression that place leaves on visitors as well.

The YouTube version of Episode 45 is here!

The podcast version of Episode 45 is here!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sponsor Info: 

This episode is sponsored by the Waterfront Botanical Gardens 3rd Annual Bonsai Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. Details at BonsaiWeekend.com. Come visit Kentucky's newest botanic garden and see what's growing with the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society. The show will feature guest judge Owen Reich, bonsai workshops, demonstrations, cultural activities, food and drink, koi fish on display from the Louisville Koi Society, and an expanded selection of vendors for all your bonsai needs. I'll be there too, and I hope to see you there May 30th-June 1st. Tickets are on sale now at ⁠BonsaiWeekend.com⁠.

Support the Pod:

            Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

See the relevant images and links from this episode below.

Repotting and Thinning Mature Ficus and Jades: Steps for Maintenance of Historic Bonsai

Source material: August 2020

            Recently, I randomly ran into someone who inherited some historic bonsai trees that I had previously been caring for alongside the former owner. Mrs. E had 3 different indoor bonsai - a Ficus benjamina dwarf variety, a Ficus macrocarpa, and a jade (Crassula ovata) grove - all 20-30 years old or more. While Mrs. E had an excellent garden and a proven track record for the maintenance watering and care of these trees, she did not have the nuanced experience in bonsai for more serious operations such as repotting and styling. This is why I and other Columbus Bonsai Society members before me were asked to come help her every few years to keep the trees healthy and not let them get too unshapely. She was my first bonsai client when I moved back to Columbus. Normally Mrs. E sat out with me, and we'd chat while I was doing the bonsai work. In this article you can see the before and after from their repotting when I first met her and these trees.

            In Part 2 next week, I will share an "Open Letter to First Time Bonsai Owners" which is adapted from the email I sent to the new owners of these trees. My goal was to provide the essential points needed to keep the trees happy and healthy and to assess their needs for a novice bonsai artist especially for dealing with precious older trees as your first foray into bonsai.

Sections:

1. Repotting of Historic, Mature Tropical Ficus and Jade Bonsai (this week)
1. Ficus benjamina
2. Ficus macrocarpa
3. Crassula ovata, aka Jade
2. Open Letter to First Time Bonsai Owners (next week)
1. How to assess a bonsai's immediate care needs
2. More recent pictures from pruning these historic Ficus bonsai.

In Vivo Bonsai Announcements/Upcoming Events in Columbus

• April 12, 2025 - 4TH Annual Columbus Bonsai Society INVASIVE Alliance / Yamadori Study Group Dig. I am organizing this free event for the 4th year in a row. As I have written about previously, come out and learn your native vs invasive plant ID, get some advice on digging trees and getting them to live, and on turning our home-grown species from wild bonsai/yamadori into successful bonsai. RSVP here by 4/11.
• April 27, 2025 - Columbus Bonsai Society Monthly meeting on Techniques for All Stages of Deciduous Development. I will be leading the discussion and presentation. All members are encouraged to bring one or more deciduous tree and think ahead on what techniques or next steps you think that tree needs for this growing season. Facebook event here.
• May 03, 2025 - Bonsai and Coffee. Intro to Indoor Bonsai Workshop at Casa Cacao Cafe in Columbus, OH hosted by yours truly. Sign up here.

After repotting and pruning on these historic, mature ficus bonsai.

Cheryl Manning's Bonsai Journey: California to Japan, Naka Protégé to Sensei - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep 43-44

I. Episode Summary & Links

In this two-part series, Kelly sat down with Cheryl Manning in California for a wide-ranging interview. See episode 43 for Part 1 which focused on Cheryl's time in bonsai as an apprentice in Japan and how she got started in the professional scene. Episode 44/Part 2 focuses more on her time as a student of the California bonsai greats like John Naka and Harry Hirao especially reflecting on after returning from her apprenticeship. 

The YouTube version of Episode 43 is here!⁠

The podcast version of Episode 43 is here!

The YouTube version of Episode 44 is here!

The podcast version of Episode 44 is here!⁠

Guest Info:

⁠This episode features Cheryl Manning, an accomplished bonsai professional artist and writer. Find more of her work on her website, ⁠BetterBonsai.com⁠.⁠⁠⁠

Sponsor Info: 

This episode is sponsored by (me!) In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio. Find me in person, at ⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠, or go to ⁠⁠https://www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠/ ⁠to see upcoming events, expanding online offerings, educational materials, and more.

Support the Pod:

            Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

See the relevant images and links from this episode below.