Robert Baran: Inside Bonsai’s Past & Present History - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep51

In Vivo Bonsai Announcements/Upcoming Events in Columbus

• NEXT WORKSHOP 01/17/2025 - Bonsai on Tap - Intro to Indoor Bonsai at Nocterra Brewing in Powell (all are welcome!). More details and sign up here.
• I've added many new pots available for sale. Find them here or at invivobonsai.etsy.com, but generally, if you contact me directly, I can give you a discount from what is listed there. Each Etsy listing comes with free US shipping. I am in the process of adding more trees to my website here also, so stay tuned and check back.
• NEXT Columbus Bonsai Society meeting: Bonsai Deadwood Styles, Mechanisms, and Methods - 01/18/2026. More info here. Presentation, discussion of member trees, and potential demonstration by yours truly.

I. Episode Summary & Links

            In this episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, Kevin and Ryan sit down with Robert Baran, one of the world’s most respected bonsai historians and researchers. Robert shares the stories behind decades of archived bonsai knowledge and how he built Magiminiland.com into a global resource for miniature tree history. The conversation explores how bonsai traveled across cultures, how early masters shaped the art, and why preserving bonsai history is more important than ever. You’ll hear Robert reflect on his personal journey, his passion for research, and the untold stories that shaped the bonsai world. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves bonsai, history, and the deeper meaning behind miniature trees.

YouTube version is here!

 The podcast version of Episode 51 is here!⁠

Guest Info:

            Robert Baran is the bonsai historian and researcher behind the most comprehensive publicly available bonsai archive linked below, which he is continually adding to. He has also written several articles and contributed to books on this subject.⁠

• ⁠MagiMiniland.org⁠
• Robert also has a ⁠YouTube channel⁠ with a few interviews.
• Robert's various books and book contributions can be found ⁠here⁠.

Sponsor Info:

            This episode is sponsored by our co-host via the Kevin Faris moving sale of bonsai pottery, tools, and trees. View these items at In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio, USA in-person, or online (shipping available) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠, or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠ and navigate to the consignment ⁠pottery⁠ and ⁠tree⁠ pages.

For Etsy sales, there is currently a 10% off Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal with the code CYBER25.

Mailbag submissions/Community:

• NEW BT DISCORD Chat
• BT Facebook Group

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 or 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.

Ohara Ikebana (Japanese Flower Display) History and Demonstration - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep 41-42

In Vivo Bonsai Announcements/Upcoming Events in Columbus

• March 16, 2025 - Columbus Bonsai Society Monthly meeting will be an all-day repotting extravaganza. Mark Passerrello will lead a demonstration and presentation on repotting and soil types and experienced CBS members will be on hand to assist and advise newer members. Facebook event here.
• March 29, 2025 - Intro to Indoor Bonsai Workshop at Dawes Arboretum in Newark, OH hosted by yours truly. Sign up here.
• I now sell my beginner bonsai at my first physical location in Columbus! Find Casa Cacao and full details at my new webpage for In-Person Bonsai Partners.

I. Episode Summary & Links

This episode is broken down into a two-part series. In this first episode, Joe Rotella explains the history of Ohara Ikebana which is one of the more prominent forms of Japanese flower arrangements. In the second episode, Kamo-sensei narrates and demonstrates, composing 5 Ohara Ikebana. Joe and other members of Central Ohio Ohara Ikebana hosted this event at the Yosoko Center in Columbus, Ohio to share the art of Ikebana with the public and to host a Japanese master named Kamo-sensei who demonstrates the art of Ikebana in the next video.

The YouTube version of Episode 41 (Ikebana History) is here!⁠

The podcast version of Episode 41 (Ikebana History) is here!

The shortened, narration-only YouTube version of Episode 42 (Ikebana Demonstration) is here!

The shortened, narration-only podcast version of Episode 42 (Ikebana Demonstration) is here!⁠

The full-length YouTube version of Episode 42 (Ikebana Demonstration) is here.

Guest Info:

⁠These episodes feature Joe Rotella, president of Central Ohio Ohara Ikebena (COOI) and Kamo sensei. Find more about Joe and COOI at the links below.

• ⁠COOI Website⁠⁠
• COOI Instagram
• ⁠⁠COOI Facebook 
• Joe Rotella - CreateNCraft⁠, Ikebana Workshops⁠⁠⁠

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.

A Very Bonsai Christmas With Julian Tsai - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep 23

⁠I. Episode Summary & Links

            In this episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, we have part 2 of a winter solstice/Christmas special featuring Ryan, Kelly, Kevin, and Julian Tsai. In Part 2, we discussed the history of the winter solstice and Christmas celebrations in Europe, Egypt, and America especially as it pertains to symbolic tree species associated with this time of year. We then go on to discuss and compare the merits of these historic tree species for bonsai.

The video version is available here:

⁠

The podcast version is available here. 

Guest Info:

Julian Tsai is a full-time professional bonsai artist based in Southern California. He was previously featured in our 4th episode which was recorded near the end of his apprenticeship in Japan.

Julain's website is www.JustBonsai.com

Sponsor Info: This episode is sponsored by the Grow Clothing Co. Grow Clothing has tons of creative plant and bonsai-inspired designs for T-shirts, hoodies, bags, water bottles, and more. They are always adding new designs so check them out at the links below and don't forget to use the discount code "BONSAITIME" for 10% off when you order by February 1st.

⁠⁠Grow Clothing Co Website⁠⁠

⁠⁠Grow Clothing Co Facebook⁠

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 through Spotify or 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. Even $1/month would be a great help!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonsaitimepodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠